Court Opinion

ID: 9761602
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 01:47:12.15196+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:24.958521
License: Public Domain

ELLIS, Justice,
dissenting.
Finding myself in disagreement with the majority members of the panel, I record my respectful dissent. I would deny Relator’s Petition for Writ of Mandamus because I believe the relator has an adequate remedy by appeal. Mandamus is only available where there is either a clear abuse of discretion or a clear violation of law and where there is no adequate remedy by appeal. Johnson v. Fourth Court of Appeals, 700 S.W.2d 916 (Tex.1985).
In Texas sanctions are reviewable only on appeal from a final judgment. Hinde v. Hinde, 701 S.W.2d 637, 639 (Tex.1985); stating that appellate courts normally review only final and definite judgments. Cherokee Water Co. v. Ross, 698 S.W.2d 363, 365 (Tex.1985); stating that unless a statute specifically authorizes interlocutory appeals, courts have jurisdiction only over final judgments.
Mandamus is not available as a remedy for attacking a court’s order of sanctions. Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy properly used only when there is no other adequate legal remedy. Johnson v. Fourth Court of Appeals, 700 S.W.2d 916, 917 (Tex.1985).
The majority makes the following contentions: Southwestern Bell Media, Inc. did not ask for any sanction other than the dismissal of the relator’s pleadings about the counterclaim; respondent ordered the payment of monetary sanctions sua sponte and without any notice to relator that such a penalty might be imposed; sanctions of this kind are authorized only in the context of the discovery process, and not for special exceptions; Respondent could have stricken the relator’s pleadings relating to the counterclaim. The majority concludes *77that there is no authority allowing a trial court to impose sanctions sua sponte.
The majority is wrong because under Rule 13 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, if a pleading, motion or other paper is signed in violation of this rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative shall impose sanctions available under Rule 215(2)(b), upon the person who signed it, a represented party or both. Tex.R.Civ.P. 13.
In my opinion, Judge Carolyn Day Hob-son had the authority under Rule 13 to sua sponte impose sanctions, but the propriety of her decision should be challenged by appeal and not by Mandamus.
I would deny the petition for mandamus.