Court Opinion

ID: 3107543
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 06:14:01.369563+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:27:00.121732
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                          March 7, 2014

                                      No. 04-13-00805-CR

                                  Ex Parte Santos GUEVARA,
                                            Appellant

                 From the 216th Judicial District Court, Gillespie County, Texas
                                    Trial Court No. 4704-A
                        Honorable N. Keith Williams, Judge Presiding

                                         ORDER
        The clerk’s record and reporter’s record were both due November 27, 2013. On
December 11, 2013, the clerk notified this court that the clerk’s record had not been filed
because appellant had failed to pay or make arrangements to pay the clerk’s fee for preparing the
record, and appellant was not entitled to appeal without paying the fee. The clerk also stated
appellant has not filed a designation of the records to be included in the clerk’s record.
Therefore, on December 16, 2013, this court ordered appellant to provide written proof to this
court no later than December 27, 2013 that either (1) the clerk’s fee had been paid or
arrangements have been made to pay the clerk’s fee; or (2) appellant is entitled to appeal without
paying the clerk’s fee. Our order cautioned appellant that if he failed to respond within the time
provided, this cause would be abated to the trial court for an abandonment hearing. See TEX. R.
APP. P. 37.3(a)(2).

        On December 27, 2013, appellant filed a “Verified First Motion to Extend Time for
Reporter’s Record and Clerk’s Record With Request for Telephone Hearing If Necessary,” in
which appellant requested an additional sixty days “for filing of the Clerk’s Record, and the
Reporter’s Record.” In this motion, retained counsel for appellant, Mr. James R. Chapman,
stated appellant is indigent; however, no written proof of appellant’s indigence was provided.

       On January 7, 2014, this court granted appellant’s motion and ordered Mr. Chapman to
provide written proof to this court no later than February 25, 2014 that either (1) the clerk’s fee
has been paid or arrangements have been made to pay the clerk’s fee; or (2) appellant is entitled
to appeal without paying the clerk’s fee. Our order cautioned Mr. Chapman that if he failed to
respond within the time provided, this cause would be abated to the trial court for an
abandonment hearing. See TEX. R. APP. P. 37.3(a)(2). Finally, our order stated that no further
extensions of time would be granted.

        On March 3, 2014, the reporter’s record was filed; however, the clerk’s record has not
been filed.
        Mr. Chapman has failed to respond to our January 7, 2014 order, specifically with regard
to the clerk’s record. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 38.8(b)(2) of the Texas Rules of Appellate
Procedure, we ABATE this appeal, REMAND the case to the trial court, and ORDER the trial
court to conduct a hearing to determine:

       (1) whether appellant desires to prosecute his appeal;

       (2) whether appellant has made the necessary arrangements for filing a brief; and

       (3) whether counsel has abandoned the appeal. Because sanctions may be necessary, the
       trial court should make a finding as to whether the current counsel abandoned the appeal
       even if new counsel is retained or substituted before the date of the hearing.

       The trial court may, in its discretion, receive evidence on the first issue by sworn affidavit
from the appellant. The trial court shall, however, order Mr. Chapman to be present at the
hearing.

        The trial court is further ORDERED to make written findings and conclusions on these
issues. The clerk and court reporter are ORDERED to file in this court, no later than April 7,
2014, (1) a reporter’s record of the hearing, and (2) a supplemental clerk’s record containing the
court’s written findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations addressing the above
issues. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b)(3).

        The clerk of this court is directed to serve a copy of this order on Mr. Chapman by
regular United States mail and by certified mail, return receipt requested. The clerk of this court
is also directed to fax a copy of this order to the State and the trial court.

                                                      _________________________________
                                                      Sandee Bryan Marion, Justice

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 7th day of March, 2014.

                                                      ___________________________________
                                                      Keith E. Hottle
                                                      Clerk of Court