Court Opinion

ID: 2758746
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-09 18:11:54.104741+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:24:13.231546
License: Public Domain

The State of

                            Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                        December 5, 2014

                                       No. 04-14-00619-CR

                                       Rudy MARTINEZ,
                                           Appellant

                                                 v.

                                      The STATE of Texas,
                                            Appellee

                 From the 216th Judicial District Court, Gillespie County, Texas
                                     Trial Court No. 4957
                         Honorable Stephen B. Ables, Judge Presiding

                                         ORDER

       Appellant's brief, due November 17, 2014, has not been filed. This court notified
appellant's counsel of the deficiency on November 21, 2014. TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b)(2). We
have received no response.

       Pursuant to rule 38.8(b)(2) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, we abate this case
to the trial court and ORDER the trial court to conduct a hearing to answer the following
questions:

       (1) Does appellant desire to prosecute his appeal?

       (2) Is appellant indigent? If appellant is indigent, the trial court shall take such measures
as may be necessary to assure the effective assistance of counsel, which may include the
appointment of new counsel.

        (3) Has appointed or retained counsel abandoned the appeal? Because sanctions may be
necessary, the trial court should address this issue even if new counsel is retained or substituted
before the date of the hearing.

The trial court may, in its discretion, receive evidence on the first two questions by sworn
affidavit from the appellant. The trial court shall, however, order the appellant’s counsel to be
present at the hearing.
        The trial court is further ORDERED to file supplemental clerk’s and reporter’s records
in this court, no later than thirty days from the date of this order, which shall include: (1) a
transcription of the hearing and copies of any documentary evidence admitted, (2) written
findings of fact and conclusions of law, and (3) recommendations addressing the above
enumerated questions.

                                                   _________________________________
                                                   Catherine Stone, Chief Justice

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 5th day of December, 2014.

                                                   ___________________________________
                                                   Keith E. Hottle
                                                   Clerk of Court