Court Opinion

ID: 9929778
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-05 01:12:17.224251+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:53:43.882174
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                        OF TEXAS
                                        NO. WR-95,403-01

                      EX PARTE MELISSA LYNN ESPINO, Applicant

               ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
             CAUSE NO. 2011CR10458W1 IN THE 437TH DISTRICT COURT
                             FROM BEXAR COUNTY

       Per curiam.

                                           OPINION

       Applicant pleaded nolo contendere to prostitution – three or more priors and was originally

placed on deferred adjudication. Later, Applicant was adjudicated and sentenced to six months

imprisonment in State Jail. Applicant did not appeal her conviction. Applicant filed this application

for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this

Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

       Applicant contends that her plea was involuntary because trial counsel had an actual conflict

of interest. Based on the record, the trial court has determined that trial counsel’s performance was

deficient and that Applicant is entitled to relief. We agree.

       Relief is granted. Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52 (1985); Ex parte Argent, 393 S.W.3d 781
                                                                                                  2

(Tex. Crim. App. 2013). The judgment in cause number 2011CR10458 in the 437th District Court

of Bexar County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Bexar

County to answer the charges as set out in the indictment. The trial court shall issue any necessary

bench warrant within ten days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

       Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional

Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered:             January 31, 2024
Do not publish