Court Opinion

ID: 4236016
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-01-11 18:26:01.496781+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:15:59.405670
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                              06-17-00118-CR
                                                                    SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                          TEXARKANA, TEXAS
                                                                            1/3/2018 11:34 PM
                                                                             DEBBIE AUTREY
                                                                                       CLERK

                         NO. 06-17-00118-CR

____________________________________________________________
                                                  FILED IN
                                                       6th COURT OF APPEALS
                                                         TEXARKANA, TEXAS
                     IN THE COURT OF APPEALS           1/4/2018 9:24:00 AM
                                                           DEBBIE AUTREY
                            SIXTH DISTRICT                     Clerk

                        AT TEXARKANA, TEXAS

____________________________________________________________

                  VERNON COOKS, JR, APPELLANT

                                   V.

                  THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE

____________________________________________________________

                  APPEAL IN CAUSE NUMBER 28,190

                    IN THE 196TH DISTRICT COURT

                      OF HUNT COUNTY, TEXAS

____________________________________________________________

      ‘ANDERS’ BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO WITHDRAW

____________________________________________________________

TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:
      Comes now the Counsel for Appellant and submits this brief pursuant
to the provisions of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
                IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

Appellate Attorney:
Jason A. Duff
2615 Lee Street
P.O. Box 11
Greenville, Texas 75403

Appellant’s Trial Attorney:
Russell P. Brooks
2515 Washington St
PO Box 1905
Greenville, TX 75403-1905

Appellee:
The State of Texas by and through
Noble D. Walker, Jr.
Jeff Kovach
Hunt County District Attorney
4th Floor Hunt County Courthouse
2500 Lee Street
Greenville, Texas 75401

                                                  2
                                    TABLE OF CONTENTS

Identity of the Parties and Counsel ............................................................. 2

Table of Contents ....................................................................................... 3

Index of Authorities ..................................................................................... 4

Statement of the Case ................................................................................ 6

Certificate of Counsel and Special Statement to the Court.......................... 7

Statement of the Facts ................................................................................ 9

Issues and Authorities............................................................................... 12

        Jurisdiction .................................................................................... 12
        Assistance of Counsel .................................................................. 13
        The Plea of True: Valid and Voluntary.......................................... 13
        Competence ................................................................................... 14
        Limitations ..................................................................................... 16
        Jeopardy......................................................................................... 17
        Presence of Defendant .................................................................. 17
        Punishment .................................................................................... 17
        Back Time....................................................................................... 20
        Written Judgment .......................................................................... 20
        Finger Prints .................................................................................. 20
        Summary ........................................................................................ 21

Conclusion and Prayer for relief ................................................................ 22

Certificate of compliance of typeface and Word Count ............................. 23

Certificate of Service ................................................................................. 24

                                                                                                          3
                                     INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

FEDERAL CASES:

Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, (1967) .................................................. 7

McGruder v. Puckett, 954 F.2d 313 (5th Cir.1992) .................................... 17

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984)......................................... 13

STATE CASES:

Basham v. State, 608 S.W.2d 677, 678 (Tex. Crim.App.1980) ................. 14

Cole v. State, 757 S.W.2d 864 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1988, pet. ref'd) ...... 19

Davis v. State, 905 S.W.2d 655 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1995, pet. ref'd) .... 18

Ex parte Bates, 978 S.W.2d 575 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998) ......................... 20

Fluellen v. State, 71 S.W.3d 870 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2002, pet. ref'd) ... 18

Hidalgo v. State, 983 S.W.2d 746, 750 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) ................ 13

Holliday v. State, 983 S.W.2d 326 (Tex. App. – Houston [14th Dist.]

1998, pet. ref’d)......................................................................................... 16
Howard v. State, 830 S.W.2d 785 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1992, pet.

ref'd) ......................................................................................................... 19

Howlett v. State, 994 S.W.2d 663 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999) .......................... 17

Jackson v. State, 989 S.W.2d 842 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1999,no pet.) .... 18

Jefferson v. State, 803 S.W.2d 470 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1991, pet.ref'd)....... 19

Jordan v. State, 495 S.W.2d 949, 952 (Tex.Crim.App.1973)..................... 18

                                                                                                                 4
Kuyava v. State 538 S.W.2d 627, 628 (Tex.Crim.App. 1976).................... 15

Latham v. State, 20 S.W.3d 63 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2000, pet. ref'd) ..... 18

McClenan v. State, 661 S.W.2d 108, 110 (Tex.Crim.App.1983) ............... 18

Mizell v. State, 119 S.W.3d 804, 806 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003) ..................... 17

Nesbit v. State, 227 S.W.3d 64 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) ........................... 12

Proctor v. State, 967 S.W.2d 840, 844 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998) ................... 16

Ring v. State, 450 S.W.2d 85, 88 (Tex.Cr.App.1970) ................................ 15

STATE STATUTES:

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 26.13. (Casemaker 2017)....................... 14

Tex. Code Criminal Procedure. Art.37.06 (Casemaker 2017) ................... 17

Tex. Code Crim. Pro. Ann. Art.38.33 (Casemaker 2017) .......................... 20

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 42.12 § 21(Casemaker 2017) ................. 12

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 42.12 § 22 (Casemaker 2017) ................ 12

Tex. Code Crim. Pro. Ann. Art.42.01(23) (Casemaker 2017) .................... 20

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art.46B.003(Casemaker 2017) ..................... 14

Texas Penal Code §42.072
(Casemaker 2017) ................................................................................... 17

Tex. R. App.P.33.1(a)(Casemaker 2017) .................................................. 21

                                                                                                     5
                         STATEMENT OF THE CASE

        This is an appeal of the judgment Adjudicating Guilt and sentence in

a criminal case for the 196th District Court, in Hunt County, Texas.

Appellant plead true to the allegations in the motion to revoke of the

underlying crime of Stalking. (RR Vol. 1. p. 6-7) Appellant was assessed a

sentence of imprisonment for 910 Days Years TDCJ, $0.00 fine, and $0.00

court costs with 22 days Credit on June 7, 2017 by the trial court. Notice of

appeal was given on June 9, 2017 in the trial court. The reporter’s record

was filed on July 31, 2017, and the clerk’s record was filed November 3,

2017.

                                                                               6
                        CERTIFICATE OF COUNSEL

      In compliance with requirements of Anders v. California, 386 U.S.

S.Ct.1396, 18 L. Ed 2d 493 (1966) and Gainous v. State, 436 S.W.2d 137,

138 (Tex.Crim. App. 1969), the undersigned appointed attorney on appeal

for Vernon Cooks states that he has diligently reviewed the entire record

and the law applicable thereto and, in his opinion, the appeal is without

merit and wholly frivolous in that the record reflects no reversible error. It is

also the opinion of the undersigned appointed attorney on appeal that there

are no grounds of error upon which an appeal can be predicated. The

undersigned appointed attorney on appeal has served a copy of this brief,

clerk's record, and reporter's record on Appellant in paper form.

      At that time, the undersigned attorney informed Appellant, by letter to

his last known address that, in his professional opinion, the appeal was

without merit. The undersigned attorney also explained that Appellant has

the right to review the record and file a pro se brief if he so desires. The

undersigned attorney has made the record available to Appellant.

Appellant has also been informed by the undersigned attorney that he may

request an extension of time from this Honorable Court for the filing of a pro

se brief.

                                                                                7
                 SPECIAL STATEMENT TO THE COURT

      After diligent search, the undersigned attorney, appointed as counsel

for Appellant on appeal has determined that the appeal is frivolous and

without merit, and further, that the record contains nothing upon which an

appeal can be predicated.

      The record in this cause reflects that Appellant's rights were

protected at every stage of the proceedings. Mr. Cooks was represented by

competent counsel at all critical stages of the trial process. This appeal

brief was filed on January 3, 2018 within Appellant's time limit for filing an

appeal. (CR Vol. 1 p. 68).

                                                                                 8
                       STATEMENT OF THE FACTS

      Appellant pled guilty the crime of Stalking on November 19, 2012. As

part of that original plea bargain Appellant was placed on 3 years deferred

probation with violence terms. (CR Vol. 1 p.18).     During the term of

community supervision Appellant was Appellant was specifically required

to:

      1.    Commit no new offense against the laws of this Stale, or any
            other state, or of the United States, or any political subdivision
            thereof;

(CR Vol. 1 p. 21).

      By October 30, 2014 the Hunt County District Attorney filed its first

motion to revoke community supervision. But instead of revoking

Appellant’s probation, the trial court amended and supplemented

Appellant’s terms and conditions in a new order. In that order to amend,

the trial court extended Appellant’s community supervision to November

18, 2017, ordered Appellant to pay $250.00 per month, waived his

community service requirement, and dismissed the state’s Motion to

Revoke without prejudice. (CR Vol. 1 p.40-41).

                                                                                 9
      Then State later filed its second “Motion to Revoke Deferred

Adjudication Community Supervision and Request for Final Adjudication”

on February 17, 2016. The second motion alleged, among other things:

      1: Said Defendant committed an offense against the laws of the State
      of Texas, to wit: on or about the 17th day of June, 2014 in the County
      of Limestone and State of Texas, the defendant did then and there
      commit the offense of Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Violence;

(CR Vol. 1 CR 44-47). Pursuant to the Motion to revoke Appellant was

appointed an attorney to represent him. (CR Vol. 1 p. 50.)

      The trial court held a hearing pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann.

Art. 42.12 § 23(a). At the beginning of that hearing the trial court informed

Appellant that the purpose of that hearing is review and hear evidence on

the State’s Motion to revoke. The trial court further stated Appellants full

range of punishment. Then the Appellant replied that he understood the

purpose and range of punishment. (RR Vol. 3. p. 4-5).

      The trial court inquired from Appellant if he had an opportunity to

speak with his attorney about the proceeding, and Appellant replied that he

had. (RR Vol. 3 p.5). Then Appellant’s trial attorney read aloud each

allegation the State made in their motion to revoke. For each allegation

Appellant’s trial attorney asked Appellant that if he understood the

allegation against him and for each the Appellant stated in the affirmative.

For each allegation the Appellant pled true. (RR Vol. 3 p. 6-7). Yet, the

                                                                               10
State offered no evidence to support allegations 2 and 3, so the trial court

found them to be not true. Ultimately, the trial court did find allegation 1 to

be true, ending the adjudication phase of the proceeding. (RR Vol. 3 p.11).

      At the beginning of the punishment phase both Appellant and the

State announced ready to proceed. (RR Vol.3 p. 11). Appellant stated he

indeed pled guilty to Assault Causing Bodily Injury Family Violence in

Limestone County, Texas. (RR Vol.3 p. 13).

      Appellant was able present mitigating evidence by testifying that he is

disabled and lives of about $1,600.00 a month in disability. Further,

Appellant was able to testify that he has been hospitalized approximately

50 times since 2013 and 10 or 12 times through June 2017 alone. (RR Vol.

3 p. 9 & 14). Appellant testified that the “Mary” he knows in Limestone

County and victim in the assault case is not the same person he went on

probation in this case for stalking. (RR Vol. 3 p.17).

      At a later hearing the trial court reviewed the back time Appellant was

ordered any back time Appellant was entitled to. Appellant’s trial counsel

informed the trial court the correct day for beginning his back time began

earlier. (RR Vol. 4 p. 5). At the end of formal sentencing hearing Appellant

was handed a copy of the judgement. (RR Vol.4 p. 8).

                                                                               11
                       ISSUES AND AUTHORITIES

                              JURISDICTION

           The trial court retains jurisdiction during the period of

community supervision so that at any point during that term may issue a

warrant for a violation of the conditions. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art.

42.12 § 21(Casemaker 2015). The term of probation begins on the first day

the defendant is sentence and excludes the anniversary date. A motion to

revoke must be filed at least a day before the anniversary date of the end

of the probationary term. Nesbit v. State, 227 S.W.3d 64 (Tex. Crim. App.

2007).

     While Appellant was originally given a probation term of three years

from November 19, 2012, the term was extended to November 18, 2017.

(CR Vol. 1 p.18 & 40-41).   A court may, extend the period of community

supervision as it deems necessary, so long as it does not exceed 10 years.

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 42.12 § 22(c) (Casemaker 2017). Here

the motion to revoke was filed on February 17, 2016, well before the

expiration of this valid extended probationary term. (CR Vol. 1. p.44).

                                                                             12
                        ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

      A complete review of the record reflects that Appellant was

represented by counsel at all critical stages of the proceedings as required

by the Texas and U.S. Constitutions, and that his counsel joined in all

decisions as required by law. Hidalgo v. State, 983 S.W.2d 746, 750 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1999). The record indicates that trial Appellant had sufficient

opportunity to meet with Appellant to prepare for the hearing on his motion

to revoke. (RR Vol. 3 p. 5). Trial counsel demonstrated a familiarity with

the underlying procedural posture of the case as well as the facts that

brought about this latest revocation proceeding. (RR Vol. 3 p. 4-7).

Counsel is ineffective only if his representation of Appellant falls below a

minimum standard for representation and his errors undermine the

reliability of the result to the appellant. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668, 687(1984).

             THE PLEA OF TRUE: VALID AND VOLUNTARY

      The Appellant, joined by his counsel, plead true to each allegation in

the motion to revoke on the record. (RR Vol. 3. p. 6-7, 15). Nothing in the

record indicates that Appellant objected to the admission of the allegations.

The trial court, by verbal means and by written means, admonished the

                                                                               13
Appellant of the range of punishment. (RR Vol. 3. p. 4-5); (CR Vol. 1 p.12).

The trial court’s admonishments would also be in substantial compliance

with Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 26.13, but are not necessary under in

revocation proceedings.

                                COMPETENCE

      "A person is incompetent if he lacks either (1) sufficient present ability

to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational

understanding; or (2) a rational as well as a factual understanding of the

proceedings against him. A person is presumed competent to stand trial

and shall be found competent to stand trial unless proved incompetent by a

preponderance of the evidence. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann.

Art.46B.003(Casemaker 2017). McGowin v. State, 912 S.W.2d 837, 840

(Tex.App.—Dallas1995, no pet).

      The purpose of article 26.13, the written plea admonishments and

waivers, is to assure that the defendant does not plead guilty without a full

understanding of the charges against him and the consequences of his

plea. Basham v. State, 608 S.W.2d 677, 678 (Tex. Crim.App.1980).

Substantial compliance with article 26.13 is sufficient. Tex. Code Crim.

Proc. Ann. Art.26.13 (f). Article 26.13 (b) states: No plea of guilty or plea of

                                                                              14
nolo contendre shall be accepted by the court unless it appears that the

defendant is mentally competent and the plea is free and voluntary."

      However, no specific finding of competency in the record is required.

Texas courts have long held in interpreting Article 26.13(b) that unless an

issue is made of an accused's present insanity or mental competency at

the time of the plea the court need not make inquiry or hear evidence on

such issue. Ring v. State, 450 S.W.2d 85, 88 (Tex.Cr.App.1970); Kuyava v.

State 538 S.W.2d 627, 628 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976).

      In this case competence is apparent where the court has had the

opportunity to observe the accused in open court, hear him speak, observe

his demeanor and engage him in conversation. Appellant testified at the

revocation hearing in response to questions from his own attorney and the

trial judge in multiple points. There is no suggestion in the record that

Appellant was not competent to enter his pleas at any time.

      A complete review of the record discloses sufficient information to

support the trial court's conclusion that Appellant was competent to enter

his plea of true, and that the plea was both free and voluntary. Id.

Art.26.13(b) (Casemaker 2017). It is true that Appellant indicated to the

trial court he had a disability. But Appellant indicated that disability was

related to congestive heart failure and renal disease. Appellant indicated

                                                                               15
he needs a heart transplant and he needs a defibrillator. (RR Vol. 3 p. 9);

(CR Vol. 1 p. 51). Appellant has not indicated that he suffers from any

condition that would adversely affect his capacity or otherwise restrict his

ability to understand the proceedings against him or stop him from assisting

his attorney in his defense.

                               LIMITATIONS

      The original offense, alleged to have been committed on or about and

February 27, 2011 and the Order of Deferred Adjudication was entered

November 19, 2012. (CR Vol. 1 p.18). It is well settled that a defendant

whose community supervision is revoked may only appeal from the

revocation. The underlying adjudication may only be appealed at the time

the probation was given. Holliday v. State, 983 S.W.2d 326 (Tex. App. –

Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, pet. ref’d). As stated above, the motion to revoke

was filed and served well before the end of the legally extended period of

community supervision.

      Further, Appellant waived any objection to the limitations issue when

he entered his plea. Here no objection to limitations was made.

Limitations is a defensive issue, and must be raised by defendant before

the plea is entered, or it is waived. Proctor v. State, 967 S.W.2d 840, 844

                                                                               16
(Tex.Crim.App. 1998); Howlett v. State, 994 S.W.2d 663, 667

(Tex.Crim.App. 1999).

                                JEOPARDY

     There is no jeopardy argument because Appellant was indicted and

prosecuted in the case. There is no jeopardy issue in the record.

                        PRESENCE OF DEFENDANT

     Appellant was present when the verdict was pronounced, as required

by Tex. Code Criminal Procedure. Art.37.06. (RR Vol. 4 p. 4-7).

                              PUNISHMENT

     A sentence outside the maximum or minimum range of punishment is

unauthorized by law and therefore illegal. Mizell v. State, 119 S.W.3d 804,

806 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003). But, Appellant’s sentence of nine hundred ten

days is well within the statutory range of punishment for the offense. Texas

Penal Code §42.072. No other range was set by the original Judgment.

(CR Vol.1 p. 18). As stated above, probationers cannot appeal the

underlying judgment.

                                                                          17
      Moreover, Texas courts have traditionally held that, as long as the

punishment assessed is within the range prescribed by the Legislature in a

valid statute, the punishment is not excessive, cruel, or unusual. Jordan v.

State, 495 S.W.2d 949, 952 (Tex.Crim.App.1973). Yet, in Jackson v. State,

989 S.W.2d 842, 845 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1999, no pet.), this Court

recognized that a prohibition against grossly disproportionate punishment

survives under the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution

apart from any consideration of whether the punishment assessed is within

the range established by the Legislature. Fluellen v. State, 71 S.W.3d 870,

873 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2002, pet. ref'd); Latham v. State, 20 S.W.3d 63,

68-69 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2000, pet. ref'd).

      Only if the Court finds that the sentence is grossly disproportionate to

the offense will we then consider the remaining factors and compare the

sentence received to sentences for similar crimes in the same jurisdiction

and to sentences for the same crime in other jurisdictions. McGruder v.

Puckett, 954 F.2d 313, 316 (5th Cir.1992); see also Davis v. State, 905
S.W.2d 655, 664-65 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1995, pet. ref'd).

      Additionally within the revocation context a trial court's arbitrary

refusal to consider the entire range of punishment available for the violation

of a criminal law would constitute a denial of due process. McClenan v.

                                                                             18
State, 661 S.W.2d 108, 110 (Tex.Crim.App.1983); Jefferson v. State, 803
S.W.2d 470, 471 (Tex.App.-Dallas 1991, pet. ref'd); Cole v. State, 757
S.W.2d 864, 865 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1988, pet. ref'd). Where a trial court

in a community supervision proceeding announces his predetermined

intent to impose the maximum or an extremely harsh sentence before any

mitigating evidence might be presented, a defendant would be denied due

process. Howard v. State, 830 S.W.2d 785 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1992,

pet. ref'd.

      Here the trial court was able to hear and consider mitigating evidence

Appellant’s medical conditions. (RR Vol. 3 p. 9 & 14). The trial court even

stated that it took into consideration Appellant’s medical conditions in

determining his sentence. (RR Vol. 3 p.24). The court also heard evidence

that the victim in the Limestone County assault case was not the same

victim as this Stalking case. (RR Vol 3. p.17).

      In this case, there is nothing contained in the record where the trial

court announced his predetermined intent to impose the maximum or an

extremely harsh sentence, either before mitigation evidence or after the

Appellant rested. Instead the trial court sentenced Appellant to 6 months

over the minimum.

                                                                               19
                                 BACK TIME

       A probationer is entitled to credit for time spent confined pending a

motion to revoke his community supervision, Ex parte Bates, 978 S.W.2d
575 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). The trial court ordered any back time he was

entitled (RR Vol. 4 p. 5). Appellant was credited with twenty two days back

time, as reflected in the judgment, and based on the record was accurately

calculated, as required by law. (CR Vol. 1. p.53).

                           WRITTEN JUDGMENT

       The written judgment conforms to the court's oral pronouncement or

judgment and sentence, as required by law. (RR Vol. 3 p. 24); (CR Vol. 1 p.

53).

                               FINGERPRINTS

The record reflects that Appellant's right thumb prints were taken as

required by Tex. Code Crim. Pro. Ann. Art.42.01(23) and Tex. Code Crim.

Pro. Ann. Art.38.33 (Casemaker 2017). (CR Vol. 1 p. 56).

                                                                               20
                                 SUMMARY

      The undersigned attorney has reviewed the entire record to

determine if any objections were made or any constitutional or structural

errors on Appellant's behalf which would support a point of error on appeal.

Tex.R. App. P.33.1(a)(Casemaker 2017).

      In counsel’s professional opinion, the trial court displayed no

prejudice toward either side. For above reasons, appellate counsel found

no arguable grounds on which to appeal the instant conviction, and

Appellant should receive the opportunity to file a pro se brief.

                                                                            21
                CONCLUSION AND PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the undersigned counsel

being of the earnest opinion that no arguable points of error appear in the

record at the plea or sentencing stages of the case, Counsel prays that this

Honorable Court will grant his Motion for Counsel to Withdraw and afford

Appellant the opportunity to file a pro se brief asserting all grounds of which

he knows to reverse the judgment of the trial court below and render

judgment of acquittal or, alternatively, remand the cause to the trial court

for further proceedings.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                Jason A. Duff
                                                State Bar No. 24059696
                                                2615 Lee Street
                                                P.O. Box 11
                                                Greenville, TX 75403

                                                Attorney for the Appellant

                                                                               22
 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE OF TYPEFACE AND WORD COUNT

        In accordance with Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.4 (e) and
(i), the undersigned attorney or record certifies that Appellants Brief
contains 14-point typeface of the body of the brief, 12-point typeface for
footnotes in the brief and contains 2,425, excluding those words identified
as not being counted in appellate rule of procedure 9.4(i)(1), and was
prepared on Microsoft Word 2010.

Jason A. Duff
Attorney for the Appellant

                                                                          23
                       CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing
instrument was forwarded to Sixth Court of Appeals, Texarkana, Texas via
electronic filing and to Hunt County District Attorney Noble Walker, on this
the 3rd day of January, 2018, by electronic filing manager.

Jason A. Duff
Attorney for the Appellant

                                                                           24