Court Opinion

ID: 2943200
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 01:44:49.389399+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:18:06.696681
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

NO. WR-74,104-01

EX PARTE JAMES RONALD MCALLISTER, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. D000333-R IN THE 260TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM ORANGE COUNTY

           Per curiam.

O R D E R

            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 writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of driving while
intoxicated and sentenced to ten  years’ imprisonment.   
            Applicant contends that his plea agreement has been broken and that his counsel rendered
ineffective assistance because counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal.  
            Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).   In these
circumstances, additional facts are needed.  As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294
(Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.  The trial court
shall order counsel to file an affidavit responding to Applicant’s claims of a broken plea agreement
and ineffective assistance of counsel on appeal.  In addition, the trial court may use any means set
out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d).  In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on
its personal recollection.  Id.
            If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If
Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an
attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04. 
            The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether Applicant’s plea agreement has been
broken and whether he was denied his right to a meaningful appeal because Applicant’s counsel
failed to timely file a notice of appeal.  The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and
conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant’s claim for
habeas corpus relief.
            This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues.  The
issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order.  If any continuances are granted, a copy of the
order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court.  A supplemental transcript containing all
affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter’s notes from any hearing or
deposition, along with the trial court’s supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall
be returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order.  Any extensions of time shall be
obtained from this Court. 
Filed: August 25, 2010
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