Court Opinion

ID: 9672667
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:58:41.154518+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:17.685085
License: Public Domain

CLINTON, Judge,
concurring.
It seems to me that what the trial court and parties did in this cause hews so closely to contemplations of the Adult Probation, Parole and Mandatory Supervision Law, Article 42.12 Y.A.C.C.P. and other procedural statutes, that criticisms leveled at one or the other are wide the mark.
At the outset, however, it should be noted that the court of appeals seems to have construed the ground of error to be “that the trial court erred in telling him, after he had been adjudged guilty, that probation of his sentence was a matter for the court’s discretion.”1 Harrison v. State, 663 S.W.2d 120, 121 Tex.App.—Houston (1st) 1983. If that were the case, chances are it would not be in this Court.
Pursuant to Article 26.13, V.A.C.C.P., that “[pjrior to accepting a plea of guilty ... the court shall admonish the defendant” of the matters therein prescribed, the trial judge did just that, albeit not in the precise order of the statute. The judge inquired of appellant if he were prepared to enter a plea to the charge of aggravated robbery as contained in the third count of the indictment; appellant responded affirmatively, and when asked how he pleaded, answered “guilty.” Consistent with ascertaining that the plea was “free and voluntary,” the judge engaged a colloquy with appellant that included the following:
“THE COURT: Have you been promised anything in order to cause you to enter a plea of guilty to such charge?
DEFENDANT: No, sir.
THE COURT: Anyone promised you that you would get an early parole or pardon or probation or anything else?
DEFENDANT: No, sir.”
The judge examined “the plea papers” and in line with Article 26.13(a)(2) had appellant confirm that the parties proposed to request the court to order a presentence investigation report; the judge learned from the prosecutor that there would not be an “agreed recommendation” as to punishment. The court then admonished appellant of the range of punishment attached to the offense to which he was pleading guilty, and during the course of explaining the consequences or lack of any bargain with respect to punishment cautioned appellant in words that have been perceived as presenting a problem, viz:
“You may or may not be accorded probation. That would rest solely in the discretion of the Court.”
That done, the judge asked, “Being advised now as to the results of your plea of guilty, do you still desire the Court to accept your plea of guilty?” Appellant replied, “Yes, sir.” The proceeding then continued as indicated in the opinion of the Court to a finding of guilt.
*501Thus, there being no plea bargain agreement with respect to punishment, as that matter stood during the admonitional part of the plea hearing, every proper punishment alternative was available to the trial court. The majority emphasizes, however, “no motion for probation had been filed by appellant.” But if trial is before the court on a guilty plea, the statute does not require an application for probation be filed as a requisite for a trial court to consider and grant probation. See §§ 3, 3c and 3d(a) and Special Commentary to Article 42.12;2 see also generally Flournoy v. State, 589 S.W.2d 705, 707 (Tex.Cr.App.1979). Only when a recommendation for probation is sought from a jury does the statute require “a written sworn motion made therefor by the defendant, filed before the trial begins,” § 3a.
Accordingly, there is no legal significance whatsoever to the fact that a written application for probation had not been filed. The situation was as the trial judge had stated to appellant: “[I]f I accept your plea of guilty, I will honor the request ... and order a pre-sentence investigation to be conducted ... before the punishment will be assessed or any sentence be imposed [and] [i]f that procedure is followed you understand it will rest solely in the discretion of the judge as to what your punishment will be. It can be anything allowed by law."3
One proper punishment alternative then available to the trial judge was indeed deferred adjudication with “any reasonable terms and conditions of probation” under § 3d(a). That “the record is devoid of any reference, any indication that any party much less the trial court, was considering deferred adjudication” is beside the point. What we are dealing with here is a question of “substantial compliance by the court” with requisites of Article 26.13 within the meaning of § (c). That it was an alternative “allowed by law” at the time cannot be dismissed simply as “pure speculation.” 4
It is on the bases stated herein that I join the judgment of the Court.
ONION, P.J., and McCORMICK, J., join.

. All emphasis is supplied throughout by the writer of this opinion unless otherwise indicated.

. "Like old Article 781d, there is no requirement for a written motion for probation when the trial is before the judge alone; though it is generally the better practice to require one.” Under Article 27.02, V.A.C.C.P., listed among a defendant’s pleadings is "(6) An application for probation, if any." However, neither that listing nor any other provision of the code purports to condition exercise of judicial authority to grant probation upon an application being on file.

. Article 37.07, § 3(d) had been amended effective September 1, 1981, to authorize a trial judge similarly situated to "order an investigative report as contemplated by Section 4 of Article 42.12 of this code” and "after considering the report" and hearing evidence, to assess punishment.

.Of course, once the trial court proceeded to adjudicate guilt of appellant neither deferred adjudication nor probation was a viable alternate punishment, but that development would not retroactively undo "substantial compliance" with admonishment requirements of Article 26.-13.