Court Opinion

ID: 9749594
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 16:52:41.112861+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:53.080411
License: Public Domain

JACK CARTER, Justice,
concurring.
While I agree with the court’s conclusion in this case, I am concerned that we are initiating an improper process of review of a trial court’s order granting a new trial.
The granting of a new trial cannot be reviewed and scrutinized in the same way as many other actions of the judge; it is a decision by the judge that something occurred during the trial to skew the trial process. This may be based on one major event or it may be a series of minor incidents that coalesce to interfere with the advocacy process. Only the trial judge is in a position to make this call after being intimately involved in every aspect of the trial. I think it is a mistake to attempt to *522review this decision with the same prism as reviewing an evidentiary ruling. Such an order comes from the trial judge’s experience, understanding of the case, and even a feel for what occurred at trial. It does not lend itself to the usual appellate review process; perhaps that is the reason the law of this State has for generations authorized this action without review.
Even from a cynical viewpoint, we must recognize that a trial judge has a docket to manage and the last thing the judge wants is a retrial of a two-month case. If the judge grants a new trial, we should be well assured that the judge earnestly believes a new trial is essential; that decision should be given great deference.
For us to consider the mandamus, there must be no other adequate remedy. Two aged civil cases and a criminal case are the only authorities cited to support such a finding. Neither of the civil cases discusses whether an ordinary appeal is an adequate remedy. In Houston & T.C. Ry. Co. v. City of Dallas, 98 Tex. 396, 84 S.W. 648 (1905), the issue was whether the enforcement of one city ordinance rather than another was an adequate remedy. Likewise, City of Highland Park v. Dallas Ry. Co., 243 S.W. 674 (Tex.Civ.App.-Dallas 1922, writ ref'd), involved an issue of whether the city had the right to enforce, by mandamus, a statute requiring the railway company to make certain installations. Neither of these cases sheds light on whether an ordinary appeal is an adequate remedy. If the question is simply whether mandamus is more convenient, the usual appeal process may become a relic.
But the more basic question is what is an appellate court to do with a trial court order granting a new trial when the trial judge has complied with Columbia Medical Center5 and specifically stated reasons for granting the new trial? We know that the trial court has a different set of rules for overturning a jury verdict than an appellate court. Columbia Med. Ctr., 290 S.W.3d at 211. There are valid reasons for requiring a different standard for the two: the trial court has listened and watched every witness, is involved in the dynamics of the trial, has observed the jury, whereas the appellate court reads volumes of typed transcript. Here, the trial judge gave principled reasons for granting the new trial and did not rely on a simple “in the interest of justice” ground. For instance, one of the reasons stated was juror inattention. Is it necessary to establish in the record juror inattention, or do we trust the trial judge’s evaluation? Are trial judges required to act as advocates and “protect the record” to preserve every possible reason that might be given as the ground for granting the new trial, or is it more important that judges continue their core function of conducting and ensuring a fair trial?
If it is our duty to review the record, even that is impossible since we do not have a full record; our record consists of an appendix containing what must be very minor portions of a two month trial. Luf-kin has brought this mandamus action, so it is logical that, at a minimum, it has the burden to prove that the trial judge’s reasons for granting the new trial are not supported in the record. Since we do not have a full record, how can we find that Lufkin has shown the evidence will not support the trial judge’s finding? Generally when a full record is not before us, we presume the missing portion of the record contains evidence to support the trial court’s determinations. Feldman v. Marks, 960 S.W.2d 613, 614 (Tex.1996); In re Estate of Arrendell, 213 S.W.3d 496, 503 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2006, no pet.). Ulti*523mately, this attempt to review the record will not result in an expeditious disposition as trial attorneys will insist that a full record be prepared which will cause delay and prohibit a speedy new trial. The participants will be engaged in appellate practice rather than retrying the case.
When such a review is attempted, how do we determine if a trial judge has abused his or her discretion? Here, we sustained the granting of the new trial because we found that some evidence was improperly presented to the jury. The rejoinder argument is: that evidence was inconsequential in a two-month trial. May a trial judge grant a new trial even if the inadmissible evidence, on review, is found to be harmless? We are beginning a process of review for which no guidelines exist. Must a reversible error be presented before the trial judge can grant a new trial? If not, upon what basis are we deciding other than the rule that has been followed in this State for decades — we grant discretion to the trial judge.
The majority opinion acknowledges that trial judges are in a position to observe factors that may not be in the written record and accords great discretion to the judge. When a trial judge has complied with Columbia Medical Center and given specific plausible reasons for determining that good cause exists to grant a new trial, we should defer to that finding based on the trial judge’s unique position to evaluate the trial and the authority granted by Rule 320. Tex.R. Civ. P. 320.
I concur with the judgment.