Court Opinion

ID: 2944047
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 01:58:11.863774+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:41:07.892266
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NOS. WR-73,195-01 & -02

EX PARTE JAIRO AMBRIZ, Applicant

ON APPLICATIONS FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NOS. 114-2286-07 & 114-2285-07 IN THE 114TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM SMITH 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 these applications for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex
parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of two counts
of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and sentenced to thirty-five years'
imprisonment on each count. He did not appeal his convictions.
	Applicant contends, among other things, that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
because she told him that the trial court would place him on probation. The trial court made findings
of fact and conclusions of law and recommended that we deny relief. We believe that the record is
not sufficient to resolve Applicant's claim. 
	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. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court
shall provide Applicant's trial counsel with a second opportunity to respond to Applicant's claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel. 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.
	Applicant appears to be represented by counsel. If he is not and 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 him at the hearing. Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04. 
	The trial court shall make further findings of fact as to whether counsel ever told Applicant
that, based on her friendship with the trial judge, Applicant would be placed on probation. The trial
court shall then make further conclusions of law as to whether the performance of Applicant's trial
counsel was deficient and, if so, whether counsel's deficient performance prejudiced Applicant. 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.
	These applications 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: January 13, 2010
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