Court Opinion

ID: 2916457
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-10 20:34:14.619505+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:09:04.294131
License: Public Domain

NO. 12-05-00295-CV
 
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

TYLER, TEXAS

§

IN RE: R. WAYNE JOHNSON,                        §     ORIGINAL PROCEEDING
RELATOR
§

MEMORANDUM OPINION
            Relator R. Wayne Johnson seeks a writ of mandamus compelling the respondent, the
Honorable Jim Parsons, Judge of the 3rd Judicial District, Henderson County, Texas, to deny the
plea to the jurisdiction filed by the City of Athens, real party in interest.  He also seeks a writ of
prohibition to prevent Respondent from entering any void order in the underlying proceeding.  We
deny the writs.

Discussion
            Each court of appeals may issue a writ of mandamus and all other writs necessary to enforce
the jurisdiction of the court.  Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 22.221(a) (Vernon 2004).  Mandamus will
issue only when the record establishes (1) a clear abuse of discretion or the violation of a duty
imposed by law and (2) the absence of an adequate remedy at law.  Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d
833, 839-40 (Tex. 1992).  When, as here, a motion is properly filed and pending before a trial court,
considering and ruling on that motion is a ministerial act, and mandamus may issue to compel the
trial court to act.  Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Garcia, 945 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex. App.–San Antonio
1997, orig. proceeding).  However, Respondent’s failure to rule on a motion filed by Relator is not
the issue before us.  Instead, Relator seeks to compel Respondent to rule a certain way when it
considers the City’s plea to the jurisdiction.  We may not tell the court what its ruling should be on
the City’s motion.  See O’Donniley v. Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267, 269-70 (Tex. App.–Tyler 1993,
orig. proceeding).  Therefore, mandamus is not available.
            Our jurisdiction to issue “all other writs” is limited to cases in which this court has actual
jurisdiction of a pending proceeding.  In re Nguyen, 155 S.W.3d 191, 194 (Tex. App.–Tyler 2003,
orig. proceeding).  Because we do not have actual jurisdiction of a pending proceeding in this case, 
we are without jurisdiction to issue a writ of prohibition.  See id.  Consequently, we do not address
the merits of Relator’s request.
Disposition
            Relator’s petition for writs of mandamus and prohibition is denied.
 
                                                                                                     DIANE DEVASTO 
                                                                                                               Justice

Opinion delivered October 19, 2005.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J. and DeVasto, J.

(PUBLISH)