Court Opinion

ID: 2936468
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 17:03:25.45649+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:25:46.713086
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. 74,928

EX PARTE JOHNNY LEROY FORSYTH, SR., Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
FROM CALHOUN COUNTY

 Per Curiam.

O P I N I O N 

 This is a post-conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus forwarded to this Court
pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3, et seq.  Applicant was convicted of the
felony offense of driving while intoxicated, and punishment was assessed at five years
confinement.  Applicant's direct appeal was dismissed for want of jurisdiction for failure to
timely file the notice of appeal.
	Applicant contends, inter alia, that he was denied his right to appeal.  The trial court
entered findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that Applicant be granted an
out-of-time appeal.  We agree.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04 (j) (2), requires appointed
counsel to "represent the defendant until charges are dismissed, the defendant is acquitted,
appeals are exhausted, or the attorney is relieved of his duties or replaced by other counsel". 
The duty to perfect an appeal attaches whether counsel is appointed or retained.  See Ex parte
Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).  Knowing that Applicant wanted to appeal,
counsel had the duty to timely file a motion for new trial or give timely notice of appeal,
unless relieved by the trial court or replaced by other counsel.
	Habeas corpus relief is granted and Applicant is granted an out-of-time appeal from his
conviction in cause number 2000-2-5387 from the 24th District Court of Calhoun County. 
The proper remedy in a case such as this is to return Applicant to the point at which he can give
notice of appeal.  For purposes of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, all time limits shall
be calculated as if the conviction had been entered on the day that the mandate of this Court
issues.  We hold that Applicant, should he desire to prosecute an appeal, must take affirmative
steps to see that notice of appeal is given within thirty days after the mandate of this Court has
issued.
	Applicant's remaining claims are dismissed.  See Ex parte Torres, 943 S.W.2d 469

(Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
DO NOT PUBLISH
DELIVERED: March 31, 2004