Court Opinion

ID: 2950256
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 06:38:32.143025+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:47.011141
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                          OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-82,010-03

                  EX PARTE DAMIAN GALVAN HERNANDEZ, Applicant

                 ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
               CAUSE NO. CR13-0075-02 IN THE 415TH DISTRICT COURT
                            FROM PARKER COUNTY

        Per curiam.

                                              ORDER

        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 a 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 he was denied his right to a direct appeal through no fault of his own.

The application was previously remanded, and the trial court held an evidentiary hearing.

        Trial counsel testified that he briefly discussed with Applicant his appellate rights

immediately after the trial concluded. Counsel did not elaborate as to what he said but stated the

discussion was done as counsel reviewed with Applicant the “Trial Court’s Certification of
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Defendant’s Right of Appeal” form, which both counsel and Applicant signed. Counsel also testified

that Applicant never asked him to pursue an appeal or to file a notice of appeal for him. Applicant

contends, however, that he thought the appellate certification form he signed was for an appeal.

Counsel testified, though, that Applicant indicated he understood his appellate rights as explained

to him on the certification.

       This Court, in Jones v. State, 98 S.W.3d 700, 703 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003), outlined the steps

trial counsel must take to preserve a defendant’s appellate rights. This Court wrote:

       Trial counsel’s responsibilities consist of a two-step process. First, the attorney must
       ascertain whether the defendant wishes to appeal. The decision to appeal lies solely
       with the defendant.... If the defendant does not wish to appeal, trial counsel’s
       representation ends. If the defendant decides to appeal, the attorney must ensure that
       written notice of appeal is filed with the trial court. At this point, trial counsel has
       two options. He may sign the notice himself, in which case, he effectively
       “volunteers” to serve as appellate counsel. Alternatively, the defendant may file the
       notice pro se, which serves as “an indication that trial counsel ‘does not wish to
       pursue his client's appeal.’” A “contemporaneous” presentation of the pro se notice
       with a motion to withdraw by trial counsel serves as actual notice to the trial court
       of the defendant’s desire to appeal.

       The trial court finds that trial counsel’s review of the appellate certification with Applicant

was adequate to protect Applicant’s appellate rights. The certification is not in the habeas record,

however, and trial counsel said nothing at the hearing about whether he ascertained if Applicant

wished to appeal and whether he told Applicant he could file the notice of appeal pro se.

       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 resolve whether trial counsel complied with Jones, supra, when advising

Applicant of his appellate rights. The trial court may use any means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM .

PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d).
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       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 additional findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether

Applicant was denied his right to a meaningful 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. 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 forwarded to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall

be obtained from this Court.

Filed: September 16, 2015
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