Court Opinion

ID: 4304280
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-08-16 11:36:27.202502+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:35.068509
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                         August 15, 2018

                            No. 04-16-00630-CR & 04-16-00631-CR

                                       Cody Lon SMITH,
                                           Appellant

                                                v.

                                     The STATE of Texas,
                                           Appellee

                   From the 198th Judicial District Court, Kerr County, Texas
                             Trial Court No. B-07-057 & B-15-631
                           Honorable Rex Emerson, Judge Presiding

                                         ORDER
Sitting:       Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice
               Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice
               Irene Rios, Justice

        Appellant has filed a motion to re-brief these consolidated appeals. The only ground
asserted in the motion is that an appellant may re-brief an appeal when the case is on remand
from the Court of Criminal Appeals. See Muniz v. State, 865 S.W.2d 513, 514 (Tex. App.—San
Antonio 1993, pet. ref’d). The motion states, without explanation or authority, that these appeals
are on remand from the Court of Criminal Appeals. Appellant states that if this court does not
grant his motion, he “will be forced to file another Mandamus.”
        We disagree with appellant’s assertion that the appeals are on “remand” from the Court
of Criminal Appeals. These consolidated appeals have been pending in this court since
September 29, 2016. No judgment of this court has been entered or appealed to the Court of
Criminal Appeals. See TEX. R. APP. P. 78.1(d), (f), 78.2 (authorizing the Court of Criminal
Appeals to remand a case to the court of appeals only when reversing a court of appeals
judgment). The Court of Criminal Appeals stayed these appeals while appellant’s counsel
pursued a petition for writ of mandamus. But, counsel filed the mandamus petition in her
personal capacity. Neither the State nor appellant was a party to that original proceeding. See
generally In re Moore, WR-87,158-01, 2018 WL 2716699 (Tex. Crim. App. June 6, 2018) (not
designated for publication) (stating appellant’s counsel was the “relator”); see also TEX. R. APP.
P. 3.1(f) (defining “relator” as “a person seeking relief in an original proceeding in an appellate
court”). Therefore, because appellant’s argument is without merit, the motion is DENIED. See
Muniz, 865 S.W.2d at 514.
        However, in the interest of justice, we consider on our own motion whether to permit
appellant to re-brief these appeals under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.7. See TEX. R.
APP. P. 38.7. Rule 38.7 provides, “A brief may be amended . . . whenever justice requires, on
whatever reasonable terms the court may prescribe.” Id. Generally, justice requires that we avoid
unnecessary delays without prejudicing the rights of parties before this court.
        Although these appeals have been pending for nearly two years, appellant’s motion
suggests his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel could be prejudiced by a
deficient brief filed by appellate counsel. In the motion, appellant asserts his counsel filed the
original appellant’s brief under “stress and duress.” Appellant also asserts “[his] rights to Due
Process and his right to effective assistance of counsel” require re-briefing.
        On our own motion, in order to protect appellant’s right to effective assistance of counsel,
we will permit appellant to file an amended brief. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.7. Therefore, we
ORDER counsel for appellant, Angela Moore, to file an amended appellant’s brief that complies
with the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure by September 14, 2018. No extensions of time will
be granted. If appellant’s amended brief is not timely filed or, if the brief is defective: (1)
appellant is notified that this court retains discretion to strike an untimely amended appellant’s
brief, and (2) appellant’s counsel will be ordered to appear before this court and show cause why
she should not be held in criminal contempt and civil contempt of this court.
        We ORDER the State’s brief is due by October 15, 2018, regardless of whether
appellant files an amended appellant’s brief. Because this court has granted the State two prior
extensions, the State is advised that no further extensions of time will be granted absent a timely
motion that: (1) demonstrates extraordinary circumstances justifying further delay, (2) advises
the court of the efforts the State has expended in preparing the brief, and (3) provides the court
reasonable assurance that the brief will be completed and filed by the requested extended
deadline. The court does not generally consider a heavy work schedule to be an extraordinary
circumstance. If such a motion for an extension of time, or the State’s brief, is not timely filed,
this Court may decide these appeals without a State’s brief.

       Entered on this 15th day of August, 2018.

                                                                   PER CURIAM

ATTESTED TO :____________________________
                       Keith E. Hottle,
                       Clerk of Court