Court Opinion

ID: 2939165
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 20:04:53.001812+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:00:27.567797
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-67,393-03

EX PARTE ROBERT JOHN RATER, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 15683 HC-1 IN THE 6TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM LAMAR COUNTY

 Per curiam.
 
O R D E R

	Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of burglary of a
building and sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment.  The Sixth Court of Appeals dismissed the
direct appeal on Applicant's motion.  Rater v. State, No. 06-95-00178-CR (Tex. App. - Texarkana,
November 6, 1995). 
	Applicant contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because counsel failed
to convey a plea offer of eight years at a time when Applicant could have accepted it.  Applicant
contends that counsel did not inform him of the offer until after Applicant had entered his plea of
nolo contendere before a jury and received a sentence of twelve years.
	Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).  In these
circumstances, additional facts are needed.  As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294
(Tex. Crim. App. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.  Trial counsel
shall be given an opportunity to respond.  The trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code
Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d).  In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal
recollection.  Id.
	If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. 
If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an
attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04.
	The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law in regard to Applicant's
claim that counsel failed to convey a plea offer of eight years.  The trial court shall also make any
other findings of fact and conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition
of Applicant's claim for habeas corpus relief.
	This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues.  The
issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order.  If any continuances are granted, a copy of the
order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court.  A supplemental transcript containing all
affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any hearing or
deposition, along with the trial court's supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall
be returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order.  Any extensions of time shall be
obtained from this Court. 

Filed: May 2, 2007
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