Court Opinion

ID: 9757687
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 22:54:29.981426+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:42.826080
License: Public Domain

TOM GRAY, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
In Ramirez v. State, 36 S.W.3d 660 (Tex.App.-Waco 2001, pet. ref'd), we went through an exhaustive analysis of bringing a double jeopardy complaint on appeal. With regard to whether or not a double jeopardy claim had to be preserved at the trial court, we stated
Ordinarily, this initial lapse in preservation would end our discussion. See Tex.R.App. P. 33.1. However, because of the fundamental nature of double jeopardy protections, a double jeopardy claim may be raised for the first time on appeal or for the first time on collateral attack when (1) the undisputed facts show the double jeopardy violation is clearly apparent on the face of the record and when (2) the enforcement of the usual rules of procedural default serves no legitimate state interest. Gonzalez v. State, 8 S.W.3d 640, 643 (Tex.Crim.App.2000); Murray v. State, 24 S.W.3d 881, 888 (Tex.App.-Waco 2000, no pet.). See also Shaffer v. State, 477 S.W.2d 873, 876-877 (Tex.Crim.App.1971).
Id. at 666.
Allowing an appellant to raise, brief, and argue an issue not presented to the trial court, as described in the foregoing paragraph, is a far cry different than what the majority is doing in this case. When the appellant identifies the issue and includes in its brief a full discussion of the merits of the issue, the advocacy system works because the State also has notice of the opportunity to brief the issue and counter with its arguments. However, when the court, identifies, briefs, and decides an issue I have never known it to lose that argument. At least not at that level. We have, however, been repeatedly told that we should not do this for litigants. See Hadley v. State, 87 S.W.3d 118, 122 (Tex.Crim.App.2002); Gerron v. State, 97 S.W.3d 597 (Tex.Crim.App.2003). This is particularly appropriate in this case where, if the majority is correct, the appropriate vehicle through which to attack the issue is by a writ of habeas corpus originally filed in the trial court for development of necessary factual underpinnings, if any, which would attack the validity of the three judgments on double jeopardy grounds, if appropriate.
I do not join in the majority’s efforts to lawyer this case for the litigant. Because Appellant failed to preserve or present a double jeopardy claim, I dissent.