Court Opinion

ID: 2943198
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 01:44:47.695498+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:00:30.383334
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

NO. AP-76,403

EX PARTE BILLY DON MENEFIELD, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 4375-A IN THE 31ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
FROM WHEELER COUNTY

           Per curiam.

O P I N I O N

            Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for a writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of possession of a
controlled substance and sentenced to twelve years’ imprisonment. 
            This application was filed on Applicant’s behalf by his appointed appellate counsel, alleging
her own ineffectiveness.  Although the record reflects that appellate counsel was appointed the day
after Applicant’s sentencing, appellate counsel states that she had never filed an appeal, and was not
expecting such an appointment.  Appellate counsel concedes that she did not timely file a notice of
appeal, or a motion to extend the time for filing a notice of appeal, and that her failure to provide any
practical assistance in protecting and preserving Applicant’s appellate rights caused him to lose his
right to appeal. 
            We find, therefore, that Applicant is entitled to the opportunity to file an out-of-time appeal
of the judgment of conviction in Cause No. 4375-A from the 31st  Judicial District Court of Wheeler
County.  Applicant is ordered returned to that time at which he may give a written notice of appeal
so that he may then, with the aid of counsel, obtain a meaningful appeal.  All time limits shall be
calculated as if the sentence had been imposed on the date on which the mandate of this Court issues. 
We hold that, should Applicant desire to prosecute an appeal, he must take affirmative steps to file
a written notice of appeal in the trial court within 30 days after the mandate of this Court issues.
 
Delivered: August 25, 2010
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