Court Opinion

ID: 2985510
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-23 00:11:57.77247+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:23:01.021108
License: Public Domain

Dismissed and Memorandum Opinion filed November 14, 2013.

                                         In The

                         Fourteenth Court of Appeals

                                 NO. 14-13-00425-CR

                         MARCO A. GUTIERREZ, Appellant

                                           V.
                          THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                      On Appeal from the 174th District Court
                              Harris County, Texas
                          Trial Court Cause No. 1296046

                   MEMORANDUM                       OPINION

      Appellant was indicted for capital murder. Pursuant to a charge bargain, the State
agreed to reduce the charge in exchange for appellant’s guilty plea to murder. After
reviewing a presentence investigation report and holding a sentencing hearing, the trial
court sentenced appellant to life in prison. Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.
We dismiss the appeal.

      Although the trial court mistakenly entered a certification of the defendant’s right
to appeal in which the court certified that this is not a plea bargain case and the
defendant has the right of appeal, we have no jurisdiction over the appeal. See Tex. R.
App. P. 25.2(a)(2). Because this is a charge-bargain case, appellant has the right to
appeal under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 25.2(a)(2), only:(A) those matters that
were raised by written motion filed and ruled on before trial, or (B) after receiving the
trial court’s permission to appeal. Kennedy v. State, 297 S.W.3d 338, 340–41 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2009); see also Shankle v. State, 119 S.W.3d 808, 812–13 (Tex. Crim. App.
2003) (holding that charge bargain that “effectively puts a cap on punishment” is a
bargain governed by rule of appellate procedure 25.2(a)(2)). The record does not reflect
the trial court’s permission to appeal. Moreover, appellant filed a brief on August 21,
2013, in which he does not challenge matters raised by written motion filed and ruled on
before trial.

       On October 4, 2013, the State filed a motion to abate the appeal to obtain a
correct certification of appellant’s right to appeal. On October 9, 2013, this court sent
notice to the trial court requesting a corrected certification of appellant’s right to appeal.
No corrected certification has been filed. Despite the incorrect certification, we have no
jurisdiction of appellant’s appeal. See Waters v. State, 124 S.W.3d 825, 826–27 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref=d) (holding reviewing court lacked
jurisdiction where defendant pled guilty with a sentencing cap of ten years, even though
trial judge mistakenly certified defendant had right of appeal).

       Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal. The State’s motion to abate the appeal is
denied as moot.

                                      PER CURIAM

Panel consists of Justices Christopher, Donovan, and Brown.
Do Not Publish — TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b)

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