Court Opinion

ID: 2954661
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-17 00:24:00.326086+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:01:14.694431
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                      NO. 03-12-00492-CR
                                      NO. 03-12-00493-CR

                                Chad Wayne Bunting, Appellant

                                                 v.

                                  The State of Texas, Appellee

    FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF BURNET COUNTY, 33RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
   NOS. 38319 & 39072, THE HONORABLE GUILFORD L. JONES III, JUDGE PRESIDING

                            MEMORANDUM OPINION

               Appellant Chad Wayne Bunting pleaded guilty to the offense of possession of a

controlled substance, methamphetamine, in an amount of four grams or more but less than

200 grams, a second degree felony. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.115(a), (d) (West

2010). At the same proceeding, appellant also pleaded guilty to an additional drug offense,

possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in an amount of less than one gram, a state

jail felony. See id. § 481.115(a), (b) (West 2010). Pursuant to a plea bargain, appellant was placed

on deferred adjudication community supervision for a period of five years for both offenses. See

Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.12, § 5(a) (West Supp. 2012). The State subsequently filed

identical motions to adjudicate appellant’s guilt in both cases, alleging numerous violations.
               At the revocation hearing, the trial court heard both motions in the same proceeding.

Appellant pleaded true to violating the conditions of supervision.1 Both the State and appellant

presented evidence regarding punishment. At the conclusion of the evidence, appellant requested

the opportunity to go to SAFPF (Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility), see Tex. Gov’t Code

Ann. § 493.009 (West 2012); see also Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.12, § 14 (West Supp.

2012) (describing Substance Abuse Felony Program as condition of community supervision), to

address his drug problem. The State argued that rehabilitative efforts were unwarranted given

appellant’s involvement in dealing, not just using, drugs. The trial court granted the State’s motions,

adjudicated appellant guilty of both offenses, and sentenced him to serve 11 years in prison for the

second-degree possession offense and two years in a state jail facility for the state-jail possession

offense. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.12, §§ 5(b), 21 (West Supp. 2011); Tex. Penal Code

Ann. §§ 12.33, 12.35 (West 2011).

               In each case, appellant’s court-appointed attorney has filed a motion to withdraw

supported by a brief concluding that the appeal is frivolous and without merit. The briefs meet the

requirements of Anders v. California by presenting a professional evaluation of the record

demonstrating why there are no arguable grounds to be advanced. See Anders v. California,

386 U.S. 738, 744 (1967); Garner v. State, 300 S.W.3d 763, 766 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009); see also

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           Specifically, appellant admitted to using illegal drugs, associating with another person on
felony probation, failing to report to his supervision officer, leaving Burnet County without
permission, failing to complete community service work, failing to pay various fees and court costs,
failing to maintain or show proof of suitable employment, failing to attend and complete a drug and
alcohol evaluation, failing to attend Narcotics Anonymous as directed and provide verification of
attendance to his supervision officer, failing to complete the drug offender education class, and
failing to attend and successfully complete a victim impact panel.

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Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75 (1988). Appellant’s counsel provided copies of the brief to his client

and advised appellant of his right to examine the appellate records and file a pro se brief. See

Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; Garner, 300 S.W.3d at 766. No pro se brief or other written response has

been filed in either case.

                We have reviewed the records, including counsel’s briefs and the record of the

adjudication hearing, and find no reversible error. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; Garner, 300 S.W.3d

at 766; Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 826-27 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). We agree with counsel

that the records present no arguably meritorious grounds for review and the appeals are frivolous.

Counsel’s motions to withdraw are granted.

                However, we note that the judgment adjudicating guilt in cause number 38319 orders

Bunting to pay attorney’s fees in the amount of $675.00. A trial court’s authority to order a

defendant to repay the cost of court-appointed legal counsel is expressly conditioned on the court

determining that the defendant has the financial resources and ability to pay. Tex. Code Crim. Proc.

Ann. art. 26.05(g) (West Supp. 2010). The defendant’s financial resources and ability to pay are

explicit critical elements under article 26.05(g) that must be supported by the record evidence.

Mayer v. State, 309 S.W.3d 552, 556 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). When the evidence does not support

the order to pay attorney’s fees, the proper remedy is to delete the order. Id. at 557.

                The record reflects that the trial court found Bunting indigent and appointed counsel

to represent him at the revocation hearing and again on appeal. Once an accused is found to be

indigent, he is presumed to remain so through the proceedings absent proof of a material change in

his circumstances. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.04(p) (West Supp. 2010); Mayer, 309 S.W.3d
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at 557. Nothing in the record indicates a change in Bunting’s financial circumstances. Further, the

record contains no determination by the trial court that Bunting has the ability to pay attorney’s fees

and we find no factual basis in the record to support such a determination. We, therefore, modify

the judgment adjudicating guilt in cause number 38319 to delete the order that Bunting pay $675.00

in attorney’s fees. See Bigley v. State, 865 S.W.2d 26, 27–28 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) (appellate

court has authority to modify incorrect judgment when necessary information is available to do so);

Tex. R. App. P. 43.2(b); see also Boone v. State, No. 03-10-00440-CR, 2011 WL 3250573, at *1

(Tex. App.—Austin July 28, 2011) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (modifying judgment

by deleting attorney’s fees from bill of costs before affirming conviction in frivolous appeal

under Anders).

                 As modified, the judgment adjudicating guilt in cause number 38319, appellate cause

no. 03-12-00492-CR, is affirmed. The judgment adjudicating guilt in cause number 39072, appellate

cause no. 03-12-00493-CR, is affirmed.

                                               __________________________________________
                                               J. Woodfin Jones, Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Jones, Justices Rose and Goodwin

03-12-00492-CR          Modified and, as Modified, Affirmed

03-12-00493-CR          Affirmed

Filed: December 13, 2012

Do Not Publish

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