Court Opinion

ID: 2911657
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-10 05:33:18.926045+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:37:54.342391
License: Public Domain

IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

 

No. 10-08-00357-CR
 
Freddie Lee Wallace,
                                                                                    Appellant
 v.
 
The State of Texas,
                                                                                    Appellee
 
 

From the 272nd District Court
Brazos County, Texas
Trial Court No. 05-03424-CRF-272
 

MEMORANDUM opinion

 
            Freddie Lee Wallace pled guilty
without a plea bargain to the offense of aggravated sexual assault.  Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.021 (Vernon Supp.
2008).  After a hearing on punishment to the court, the trial court sentenced
Wallace to life in prison.  We affirm.
Wallace's appellate counsel filed an Anders
brief and a motion to withdraw as counsel.  See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967).  Counsel concludes
that the appeal is frivolous.
Wallace was informed of the right to file a pro
se brief or other response, and Wallace has filed one.  However, we review
Wallace’s brief solely to determine if there are any arguable grounds for
appeal.  Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 827 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005).  See
also In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 409 n. 23 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
Counsel's brief evidences a professional
evaluation of the record for error, and we conclude that counsel performed the
duties required of appointed counsel.  See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; High
v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978); see also In
re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 407.
In reviewing an Anders appeal, we must,
"after a full examination of all the proceedings, . . . decide whether the
case is wholly frivolous."  Anders at 744; accord Stafford
v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 509-11 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); Coronado v.
State, 996 S.W.2d 283, 285 (Tex. App.—Waco 1999, order) (per curiam), disp.
on merits, 25 S.W.3d 806 (Tex. App.—Waco 2000, pet. ref'd).  An appeal is
"wholly frivolous" or "without merit" when it "lacks
any basis in law or fact."  McCoy v. Court of Appeals, 486 U.S.
429, 439 n.10, 108 S. Ct. 1895, 100 L. Ed. 2d 440 (1988).  Arguments are
frivolous when they "cannot conceivably persuade the court."  McCoy,
486 U.S. at 436. An appeal is not wholly frivolous when it is based on
"arguable grounds."  Stafford, 813 S.W.2d at 511.
After a review of the briefs and the entire record
in this appeal, we determine the appeal to be wholly frivolous.  See Bledsoe
v. State, 178 S.W.3d at 826-27.  Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's
judgment.
Should Wallace wish to seek further review of this
case by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Wallace must either retain an
attorney to file a petition for discretionary review or Wallace must file a pro
se petition for discretionary review.  Any petition for discretionary
review must be filed within thirty days from the date of either this opinion or
the last timely motion for rehearing that was overruled by this Court.  See
Tex. R. App. P. 68.2.  Any
petition for discretionary review must be filed with this Court, after which it
will be forwarded to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals along with the rest of
the filings in this case.  See Tex.
R. App. P. 68.3.  Any petition for discretionary review should comply
with the requirements of Rule 68.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.  See
Tex. R. App. P. 68.4.  See In
re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 409 n.22 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (citing Glover
v. State, No. 06-07-00060-CR, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 9162 (Tex.
App.—Texarkana, Nov. 20, 2007, pet. ref’d) (not designated for publication)).
Counsel's request that he be allowed to withdraw
from representation of Wallace is granted.  Additionally, counsel must send
Wallace a copy of our decision, notify Wallace of his right to file a pro se
petition for discretionary review, and send this Court a letter certifying
counsel’s compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 48.4.  Tex. R. App. P. 48.4; see In
re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 409 n. 22. 
 
                                                                        TOM
GRAY
                                                                        Chief
Justice
Before Chief Justice
Gray,
            Justice
Reyna, and
            Justice Davis
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and
filed August 5, 2009
Do not publish
[CR25]

923 S.W.2d 199, 213 Tex. App.—Waco 1996, pet. ref'd); Shannon v. State, 942 S.W.2d 591,
597 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).
      Appellant's point is overruled.  The judgment is affirmed.
 
                                                                               FRANK G. McDONALD
                                                                               Chief Justice (Retired)

Before Chief Justice Davis,
      Justice Cummings and
      Chief Justice McDonald (Retired)
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed September 2, 1998
Do not publish