Court Opinion

ID: 9773102
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:36:52.429292+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:50.069430
License: Public Domain

DALLY, Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
McManus’ conviction is not final. Therefore, he is not now entitled to seek post-conviction relief under the provisions of 11.07, V.A.C.C.P. The majority is correct in so holding, but the majority need not and should not go further. However, the majority stating as its reason judicial economy have also rendered a declaratory judgment — an advisory opinion that proceedings when properly brought under the provisions of Art. 11.07, V.A.C.C.P. should not be closed to the public. Although what is said in this declaratory judgment may be correct, and I believe that it is, the rendering of that declaratory judgment is entirely improper. This Court has held that it does not have the authority to render declaratory judgments. See e. g., Ex parte Conner, 439 S.W.2d 350 (Tex.Cr.App. 1969); Ex parte Rodriguez, 413 S.W.2d 919 (Tex.Cr. App. 1967); Ex parte Usener, 391 S.W.2d 735 (Tex.Cr.App. 1965); Ex parte Fertitta, 167 Tex.Cr.R. 483, 320 S.W.2d 839 (1959); State v. Parr, 293 S.W.2d 62 (Tex.Cr.App. 1956); Ex parte Puckett, 161 Tex.Cr.R. 51, 274 S.W.2d 696 (1954); Ex parte Herring, 160 Tex.Cr.R. 357, 271 S.W.2d 657 (1954); Ex parte Hammonds, 155 Tex.Cr.R. 82, 230 S.W.2d 820 (1950).
It will now be difficult to predict when, contrary to precedent and without constitutional or statutory authority, this Court will undertake to render advisory opinions and declaratory judgments. The Court’s action here invites others to seek advisory opinions and declaratory judgments in important cases, and what case is not important to the parties involved? This invitation for petitions for advisory opinions and declaratory judgments will not result in judicial economy.
The majority says that these issues with which the declaratory judgment deals were clearly raised and determined in the trial court. It must be remembered as the majority also holds that the trial court was without authority to decide any issues presented in the proceeding before it.
I concur in the result reached by the majority, but I dissent to the rendering of the declaratory judgment.
ONION, P. J., and DOUGLAS, J., join in this opinion.