Court Opinion

ID: 4421922
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-01 08:49:47.08889+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:30.986132
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                      San Antonio, Texas
                                                 OPINION
                                         No. 04-18-00601-CV

ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN DOLLARS ($1,437.00) in United
       States Currency and a 2016 Toyota Corolla VIN 2T1BURHE0GC627119,
                                     Appellants

                                                   v.

                                         The STATE of Texas,
                                               Appellee

                     From the 451st Judicial District Court, Kendall County, Texas
                                       Trial Court No. 18-223
                              Honorable Bill R. Palmer, Judge Presiding

Opinion by:       Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice

Sitting:          Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice
                  Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice
                  Irene Rios, Justice

Delivered and Filed: July 31, 2019

AFFIRMED

           Appellant Isaac James Osei appeals the trial court’s order denying his motion for new trial

to overturn a default judgment entered against him in a civil forfeiture proceeding. We affirm the

trial court’s judgment.
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                           FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A.     Facts Leading to the Seizure of Property

       On April 8, 2018, Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department Officer Elsie Serold encountered a

suspicious car parked in front of a house. Two individuals were in the 2016 Toyota Corolla. In

her affidavit, Officer Serold averred that she stopped to make a “casual encounter,” and both

individuals began “making furtive [gestures] underneath their seats.”

       As Officer Serold approached the driver’s door, Osei rolled down the window a couple of

inches, and the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana. The officer informed the vehicle’s

occupants of her concern and requested identification from each individual.

       Osei, seated in the driver’s seat, provided Officer Serold his driver’s license.          The

passenger, Marshall Bertschy, did not have a driver’s license, but provided the officer with his

name and date of birth. Officer Serold requested a criminal history for each from the sheriff’s

office dispatch. Osei did not have a criminal history, but Bertschy did. Officer Serold requested

dispatch send another unit and then returned to the vehicle and turned on her body camera. Officer

Serold saw Bertschy begin to start reaching under the seat again and whispering to Osei. The

officer instructed both individuals to exit the vehicle. When asked if he had anything in the vehicle,

Osei responded he had both marijuana and a scale in the vehicle.

       Sergeant Vasquez arrived shortly thereafter; he patted-down Bertschy and placed him in

the back of Officer Serold’s patrol vehicle. Sergeant Vasquez also patted-down Osei and placed

Osei in the back of Officer Serold’s patrol vehicle. During a search of the vehicle being driven by

Osei, the officers located marijuana-laced rice krispy squares, alprazolam pills, hash oil, a digital

scale, an orange grinder with marijuana residue, pipes, ecstasy, and $1437.00 in cash.

       Upon questioning by Officer Serold, Osei acknowledged acting as the middle-man in a

drug deal that evening. Both individuals were arrested for possession of controlled substances and

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possession of marijuana and taken to the Kendall County jail. The 2016 Toyota Corolla and the

property inside the vehicle were seized and delivered to the Boerne Police Department.

B.     The State’s Notice of Seizure and Intention to Forfeit and Default Judgment

       On April 20, 2018, the State filed an Original Notice of Seizure and Intention to Forfeit

alleging $1437.00 in cash and a 2016 Toyota Corolla, vehicle identification number

2T1BURHE0GC627119, was seized from Osei. The State’s Notice of Seizure was filed pursuant

to Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. ch. 59.

The State’s notice alleged the cash and the 2016 Toyota Corolla were used or intended to be used

in the commission of a felony under Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code or were the

proceeds gained from the commission of a felony under the same chapter. See TEX. HEALTH &

SAFETY CODE ANN. ch. 481. Two exhibits were attached to the State’s notice: (1) Officer Serold’s

affidavit and (2) the “Fair Oaks Ranch Police Notice of Intent to File Seizure.” The first line of

the Fair Oaks’s notice of intent to file seizure provides the case numbers and the date the intent to

file seizure was prepared. In this case, the date provided was April 16, 2018—eight days after the

arrest and four days before the State filed the Notice of Seizure and Intention to Forfeit.

       Osei was served on May 19, 2018; both parties agree Osei’s answer was due no later than

10:00 a.m. on June 11, 2018. No answer was filed.

       On June 11, 2018 at 9:06 a.m., the State filed a motion for default judgment averring Osei

failed to timely file an answer. The State attached a copy of the Boerne Police Department’s initial

incident report, dated April 9, 2018, to its motion for default judgment. The hearing on the motion

was set for that same day at 1:30 p.m. At 1:14 p.m., the trial court rendered a default judgment

against Osei. The default judgment stated, in part, the State “produced evidence sufficient to show

the property made the subject of this suit is contraband and is subject to forfeiture under the

provisions of Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.” See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC.

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ANN. ch. 59. The judgment ordered the $1437.00 and the 2016 Toyota Corolla be forfeited to

Kendall County in the manner prescribed by Article 59.06 of the Texas Code of Criminal

Procedure. See id. art. 59.06.

C.     Motion for New Trial and Hearing before the Trial Court

       Approximately three hours later, at 4:12 p.m., the same day as the default judgment, but

after the default was taken, Osei’s attorney filed an answer and a verified motion for new trial or,

in the alternative, a motion to modify or reform the judgment. Osei’s motion explained his failure

to file an answer “was the result of an accident, and mistake rather than conscious indifference or

willfulness in that the attorney engaged to file [an] answer sufficient to place the merits of the

Plaintiff’s claims in issue suffered an injury that made it impossible to file an answer by 10:00

a.m. on the answer date.” In support, an affidavit of Osei’s attorney was attached.

       Osei’s attorney asserted another attorney was engaged to file an answer and Osei’s attorney

was not aware the attorney’s injury prevented him from “fil[ing] an answer by 10:00 a.m.”

       The motion for new trial also contained a statement that Osei had a meritorious defense to

the State’s seizure and forfeiture cause of action. Specifically, Osei alleged,

       The Plaintiff’s cause of action was in the form of a seizure and forfeiture of the life
       savings of defendant. The [sic] to this cause of action the defendant can and does
       set up a meritorious defense of traceable funds. The facts contained in the affidavit
       of [his attorney], attached and incorporated by reference establish this defense
       precluding plaintiff’s recovery on its cause of action.

       As stated, the attorney’s affidavit testified only to the reasons the answer was not timely

filed. Osei’s motion for new trial was set for hearing on August 3, 2018. On the day of the hearing,

Osei filed an unverified amended motion for new trial. In the amended motion, Osei alleged, for

the first time, a defense under the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. Specifically,

Osei alleged the value of the $1437.00 and the 2016 Toyota Corolla exceeded the value of his fine

for controlled substances claimed to be found in his car that could possibly be construed to be

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contraband under article 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC.

ANN. ch. 59. In the amended motion, Osei cited to the Kelly Blue Book pricing for the value range

of the 2016 Toyota Corolla. Osei did not attach any evidence to the amended motion supporting

his new defense or allegation.

       After hearing the arguments of counsel, the trial court denied Osei’s motion for new trial.

On appeal, Osei raises two challenges to the trial court’s denial of his motion for new trial. First,

Osei challenges the trial court’s jurisdiction over the Seizure and Forfeiture proceeding. Second,

Osei asserts he was entitled to a new trial under Craddock.

       We turn first to whether the trial court was vested with jurisdiction.

                                          JURISDICTION

A.     Standard of Review

       “Subject matter jurisdiction is an issue that may be raised for the first time on appeal; it

may not be waived by the parties.” Estate of Matthews III, 510 S.W.3d 106, 113 (Tex. App.—San

Antonio 2016, pet. denied) (quoting Tex. Ass’n of Bus. v. Tex. Air Control Bd., 852 S.W.2d 440,

445 (Tex. 1993)). We review a challenge to a trial court’s subject matter jurisdiction de novo. Id.;

Tex. Dep’t of Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d 217, 228 (Tex. 2004); see Frost Nat’l Bank

v. Fernandez, 315 S.W.3d 494, 502 (Tex. 2010).

B.     Arguments of the Parties

       Osei argues the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction when it granted the default

judgment because the State’s Notice of Seizure and Intention to Forfeit did not comply with the

requirements of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 59.04. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC.

ANN. art. 59.04. Specifically, Osei avers that because neither the notice nor the officer’s affidavit

attached to the notice specified the day the property was seized, the statutory requirement that any

forfeiture proceeding commence within thirty days of the seizure of the property was not met;

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therefore, the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction. See id. Osei also contends the State

failed to allege sufficient jurisdiction to support the default judgment.

        The State, on the other hand, argues that even though the record contains several dates,

there is no dispute the State’s Notice of Seizure and Intention to Forfeit was filed within thirty

days of the dates listed in the record. Therefore, the trial court maintained subject matter

jurisdiction to grant the State’s motion for default judgment.

C.      Chapter 59 of the Code of Criminal Procedure

        Chapter 59 governs civil forfeiture actions, which are in rem proceedings against

contraband. State v. Silver Chevrolet Pickup, 140 S.W.3d 691, 692 (Tex. 2004). Because a

forfeiture action is an in rem proceeding, a trial court’s jurisdiction depends on its control over the

property. State v. Thirty Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Dollars and no/100, 136 S.W.3d 392, 405

(Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2004, pet. denied). Article 59.04(a) provides that a forfeiture action

must be commenced not later than the thirtieth day after the date of the seizure. TEX. CODE CRIM.

PROC. ANN. art. 59.04(a). Article 59.04(b) provides: “A forfeiture proceeding commences under

this chapter when . . . the State . . . files a notice of the seizure and intended forfeiture . . . with the

clerk of the district court in the county in which the seizure is made.” Id. art. 59.04(b). A forfeiture

action may not proceed to hearing unless the trial court conducting the hearing is satisfied the

parties complied with article 59.04’s requirements. Id. art. 59.04(l). Chapter 59 forfeiture actions

proceed to trial in the same manner as other civil cases, including requiring that parties comply

with all pleading rules. Id. art. 59.05(a), (b).

        For “contraband” to qualify as property that is subject to seizure and forfeiture, the

contraband must be property used in or proceeds gained from the commission of any felony as

defined by chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code. See id. art. 59.02; 59.01(2)(B)(i), (C), (D)

(version effective September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2019). In a forfeiture proceeding, the State

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bears the burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that (1) probable cause existed for

the seizure of the property and (2) the “[c]ontraband is subject to seizure and forfeiture by the

State.” State v. Ninety Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars & No Cents in U.S. Currency

($90,235), 390 S.W.3d 289, 293 (Tex. 2013). Probable cause is “a reasonable belief that ‘a

substantial connection exists between the property to be forfeited and the criminal activity defined

by the statute.’” Id. (quoting Fifty-Six Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars in U.S. Currency v. State,

730 S.W.2d 659, 661 (Tex. 1987)).            The State’s evidence may include either direct or

circumstantial evidence. See Davis v. State, 293 S.W.3d 794, 799 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009, no

pet.) (citing State v. $11,014.00, 820 S.W.2d 783, 785 (Tex.1991)); Spurs v. State, 850 S.W.2d
611, 614 (Tex. App.—Tyler 1993, writ denied). Forfeiture does not require a final conviction of

the underlying offense. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 59.05(d).

D.     Analysis

       Contrary to Osei’s assertion, the State’s failure to specify the date the property was seized

does not affect the trial court’s jurisdiction.     Article 59.04 “does not provide . . . that the

consequence of noncompliance [with the notice requirements] is dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.”

State v. Silver Chevrolet Pickup VIN 1GCEC14T7YE257128 Tag No. 3TMX16, 140 S.W.3d 691,

693 (Tex. 2004) (statute’s language does not support conclusion that forfeiture actions must be

dismissed for lack of jurisdiction if State fails to timely file a lis pendens notice in a real property

forfeiture). This court previously held “article 59.04 does not require the notice of seizure and

intended forfeiture to include the date of seizure, but only requires the suit be commenced no later

than the thirtieth day after seizure.” Fifty-One Thousand One Hundred & Twenty-Four Dollars in

US Currency v. State, No. 04-18-00428-CV, 2019 WL 1779928, at *3 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

Apr. 24, 2019, no pet.) (mem. op.).

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        We must therefore determine whether the State’s case commenced within thirty days of the

seizure.

        Osei contends the State’s notice, and the peace officer’s affidavit attached to the notice,

fail to state a date from which the thirty days to commence proceedings start. Without a start date,

Osei argues the State failed to (1) state a cause of action within the trial court’s jurisdiction, (2)

provide fair notice of the claim asserted to Osei, or (3) disclose the invalidity of the State’s claim.

See Stoner v. Thompson, 578 S.W.2d 679, 683 (Tex. 1979). The test for determining whether the

pleadings were sufficient is “whether the pleadings [provided] the opposing party sufficient

information to enable that party to prepare a defense or a response.” First United Pentecostal

Church of Beaumont v. Parker, 514 S.W.3d 214, 224–25 (Tex. 2017). In other words, can the

opposing party ascertain the nature and basic issues asserted by the claim and what evidence might

be relevant. Id.

        A review of the record supports there are several dates contained within the notice and the

peace officer’s affidavit attached to the notice: the April 8th date on the Boerne incident report,

the April 16th date on the Fair Oaks Forfeiture Notice, the April 19th date on Officer Serold’s

affidavit, and lastly, the April 20th date on which the notice was filed with the trial court. We

note, the longest time-period was twelve days—between the date of arrest and the filing of the

notice of forfeiture. We thus cannot say the trial court abused it discretion in finding Osei could

reasonably ascertain the nature and basic issues of the State’s claim, including that the amount of

time that elapsed from the seizure to the filing of the notice was within the thirty days.

        Having concluded the trial court could reasonably determine the State’s case commenced

within thirty days of the seizure, we further conclude that the trial court had subject matter

jurisdiction over the forfeiture proceeding and we overrule Osei’s issue relating to the trial court’s

jurisdiction.

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         We next turn to Osei’s argument that the trial court erred in denying his motion for new

trial.

                                      MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL

A.       Standard of Review

         An appellate court reviews a trial court’s decision to overrule a motion to set aside a default

judgment and grant a new trial for an abuse of discretion. Dolgencorp of Tex., Inc. v. Lerma, 288
S.W.3d 922, 926 (Tex. 2009).

B.       Arguments of the Parties

         Osei contends he met his burden of proof under Craddock and the trial court abused its

discretion in denying his motion for new trial.

         The State counters that Osei did not meet the meritorious defense element under Craddock.

Specifically, the State argues Osei’s original motion for new trial failed to raise a meritorious

defense supported by affidavit or competent evidence.

 C.      Motion for New Trial and the Craddock Test

         In Craddock, the Supreme Court of Texas established a three-part test for setting aside a

 default judgment. Craddock v. Sunshine Bus Lines, Inc., 133 S.W.2d 124, 126 (Tex. 1939).

 When a party establishes the following three elements, the no-answer default judgment is vacated

 and a new trial is granted: (1) the failure to answer or to appear was not intentional or the result

 of conscious indifference but rather was due to a mistake or an accident; (2) the motion for a new

 trial sets up a meritorious defense; and (3) granting a new trial will not cause delay or work other

 injury to the prevailing party. In re R.R., 209 S.W.3d 112, 115 (Tex. 2006) (citing Craddock,
133 S.W.2d at 126); accord Levine v. Shackelford, Melton & McKinley, L.L.P., 248 S.W.3d 166,

 167 (Tex. 2008) (per curiam). “[T]he trial court should liberally construe the evidence when

 passing upon a motion for new trial.” Sexton v. Sexton, 767 S.W.2d 131, 133 (Tex. App.—San

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 Antonio 1987, no writ); accord Simmons v. McKinney, 225 S.W.3d 706, 709 (Tex. App.—

 Amarillo 2007, no pet.). Unless the movant proves all three Craddock elements, the movant is

 not entitled to a new trial. See Dolgencorp, 288 S.W.3d at 926; Old Republic Ins. Co. v. Scott,

 873 S.W.2d 381, 382 (Tex. 1994).

       We therefore determine whether Osei established proof of each Craddock element.

       1.      Failure to Answer Result of Conscious Indifference

       To satisfy Craddock’s first element, Osei had to show his failure to answer or appear was

due to an accident or mistake and was not intentional or due to his conscious indifference. R.R.,
209 S.W.3d at 115 (quoting Fid. & Guar. Ins. Co. v. Drewery Constr. Co., 186 S.W.3d 571, 576

(Tex. 2006) (per curiam)); see Craddock, 133 S.W.2d at 124. “[S]ome excuse, although not

necessarily a good one, will suffice to show that a defendant’s failure to file an answer was not

because the defendant did not care.” R.R., 209 S.W.3d at 115 (citing Fid. & Guar., 186 S.W.3d at

576); see Craddock, 133 S.W.2d at 125.

       The State concedes the affidavit attached to Osei’s motion for new trial, in which his trial

counsel swore to her belief another attorney was filing the answer, shows that Osei’s failure to file

an answer was not because he did not care. Osei thus satisfied the first Craddock element.

       2.      Delay or Injury to the Prevailing Party

       Craddock’s third element, no delay or injury to the State, is also satisfied. “If a defendant

alleges that granting a new trial will not injure the plaintiff, the burden then shifts to the plaintiff

to present proof of injury.” R.R., 209 S.W.3d at 116 (citing Evans, 889 S.W.2d at 270). Because

Osei offered to reimburse the State for its costs and expenses of securing the default judgment, the

State concedes Osei satisfies this element. See Cliff v. Huggins, 724 S.W.2d 778, 779 (Tex. 1987).

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       3.      Meritorious Defense

       The State contends Osei did not present evidence of a meritorious defense—Craddock’s

second element. “A meritorious defense has been set up so as to meet the second Craddock prong

if the facts alleged in the movant’s motion and supporting affidavits set forth facts which in law

constitute a meritorious defense, regardless of whether those facts are controverted.” R.R., 209
S.W.3d at 116 (citing Evans, 889 S.W.2d at 270); see Craddock, 133 S.W.2d at 124. In other

words, Osei’s motion for new trial must allege facts which would constitute a defense to the State’s

cause of action and be supported by affidavits or other evidence providing prima facie proof that

Osei can prove his alleged defense. See Dolgencorp, 288 S.W.3d at 928.

       When an amended motion for new trial is filed, the timeliness of the motion plays a key

role in the amended motion’s use on appeal. “A trial court’s order overruling an untimely new

trial motion cannot be the basis of appellate review, even if the trial court acts within its plenary

power period.” Moritz v. Preiss, 121 S.W.3d 715, 720 (Tex. 2003). “An amended motion for new

trial filed more than thirty days after the trial court signs a final judgment is untimely.” Id.

       Osei’s original motion for new trial was filed on June 11, 2018. In his original motion,

Osei alleged “the defendant can and does set up a meritorious defense of traceable funds” and

“[t]he facts contained in the [defense counsel’s affidavit], attached and incorporated by reference

establish this defense precluding plaintiff’s recovery on its cause of action.” The affidavit did not

contain any prima facie proof of “traceable funds.” The affidavit contained only bare assertions

and unsupported conclusions rather than facts which, if true, would establish a meritorious defense.

See Dolgencorp, 288 S.W.3d at 928 (citing Ivy v. Carrell, 407 S.W.2d 212, 215 (Tex. 1966)).

       On August 3, 2018, Osei filed an amended motion for new trial. In that amended motion,

Osei raised an excessive fines defense under the Eighth Amendment. Osei relied on the Kelly

Blue Book for his claim that the seized vehicle was undervalued.

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       But because the amended motion was filed without leave fifty-three days after the trial

court signed the default judgment, it was untimely. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 329b(a), (b); Moritz v.

Preiss, 121 S.W.3d 715, 721 (Tex. 2003). “[A]n untimely amended motion for new trial does not

preserve issues for appellate review, even if the trial court considers and denies the untimely

motion within its plenary power period.” Moritz, 121 S.W.3d at 721. Osei’s amended motion for

new trial cannot be used to support his claim of a meritorious defense. See id.

       Because Osei failed to establish all three elements under Craddock, we cannot conclude

the trial court erred in denying his motion for new trial.

                                           CONCLUSION

      Having overruled both of Osei’s issues on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                  Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice

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