Court Opinion

ID: 2937418
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 18:43:05.38504+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:26:26.024343
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-65,083-01

EX PARTE DAVID JOE PIERCE, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 7775-A IN THE 27TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM LAMPASAS 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 a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of theft and
sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. He did not appeal his conviction. 
	Applicant contends that his plea was involuntary because he can neither read nor write and
because trial counsel failed to explain the terms of the plea. 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. 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 his plea was involuntary. Specifically, the trial court shall determine whether Applicant
was unable to read or write when he pleaded guilty and, if so, whether Applicant's plea was therefore
rendered involuntary. The trial court shall, in addition, determine whether Applicant was orally
admonished and whether trial counsel explained the terms of the plea to Applicant. The trial court
shall 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:	  October 11, 2006
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