Court Opinion

ID: 9838008
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-03 08:10:12.17279+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:45:32.782593
License: Public Domain

Dismissed and Memorandum Opinion filed August 31, 2023

                                       In The

                     Fourteenth Court of Appeals

                               NO. 14-23-00321-CR

                           JAVIER LOPEZ, Appellant

                                          V.
                       THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                    On Appeal from the 268th District Court
                            Fort Bend County, Texas
                     Trial Court Cause No. 16-DCR-075126

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION

      On April 18, 2023, a jury found appellant guilty of continuous sexual abuse
of a child. On April 19, 2023, after the trial on guilt or innocence, appellant and the
State entered into an agreement that appellant’s punishment would be assessed at
30 years’ confinement in of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Institutional
Division in exchange for appellant’s waiver of his right to appeal the
guilt/innocence and punishment stages of trial. The trial court accepted the
punishment agreement and assessed punishment at 30 years’ confinement in of the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Institutional Division. On the same date,
appellant signed the trial court’s certification of his right to appeal, which stated
“the Defendant has waived ALL right of appeal as to both the guilt/innocence and
punishment portions of his trial.” See Tex. R. App. P. 25.2(a)(2).

      The record supports the trial court’s certification. See Dears v. State, 154
S.W.3d 610, 615 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Appellant’s waiver reflects that he
entered into an agreement with the State after a jury found him guilty. Appellant
waived the right of appeal knowing with certainty the punishment that would be
assessed. See Blanco v. State, 18 S.W.3d 218, 219 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000)
(holding waiver of right to appeal is valid if appellant knows with certainty the
punishment that will be assessed).

      On July 26, 2023, this court notified appellant that we lacked jurisdiction
over the appeal and that it was subject to dismissal without further notice unless
appellant demonstrated, within 21 days, that the court has jurisdiction. Appellant
did not file a response.

      Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.

                                     PER CURIAM

Panel consists of Chief Justice Christopher and Justices Bourliot and Hassan.
Do Not Publish — Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b)

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