Court Opinion

ID: 4057941
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-29 08:54:05.859126+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:32:16.749425
License: Public Domain

ACCEPTED
                                                                                      01-15-00555-CR
                                                                           FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                   HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                                                                6/23/2015 11:26:23 PM
                                                                                CHRISTOPHER PRINE
                                                                                               CLERK

 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ____________
         COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT FILED IN
                                                              1st COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                  HOUSTON, TEXAS
                                     01-15-00555-CR
                              No. _______________             6/23/2015 11:26:23 PM
                                                              CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
                                                                       Clerk

IN RE MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI,
                           Relator

        ______________________________________________________________

          RELATOR’S EMERGENCY MOTION FOR
                TEMPORARY RELIEF
        ______________________________________________________________

             _____________________________________________________

              From the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas,
               Honorable Jim Wallace presiding in Cause Numbers
                              1411883 & 1437307
             _____________________________________________________

Jerome Godinich, Jr.                              R. Scott Shearer
TBA No. 08054700                                  TBA No. 00786464
917 Frankilin, Suite 320                          917 Franklin, Suite 320
Houston, TX 77002                                 Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-8388                                    (713) 254-5629
(713) 224-2889 FAX                                (713) 224-2889 FAX
JGodinich@AOL.com                                 ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com

Attorney for Relator                              Attorney for Relator
                                                  (on writ and mandamus only)

                                                  June 23, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE _______ COURT OF APPEALS:

      RELATOR, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI, requests that this Court issue

a writ of mandamus directed to Respondent, the Honorable Jim Wallace, who is

the presiding judge of the 263rd district court of Harris County, Texas. This

petition for writ of mandamus results from Respondent’s failure to issue a writ of

habeas corpus filed on behalf of Relator and assigned cause number 1437307.

      Relator argues that, (1) Respondent had a ministerial, mandatory, and non-

discretionary duty to issue the writ; and (2) Relator has no adequate remedy at law

because it is well settled that a defendant may not appeal when a judge refuses to

issue a writ of habeas corpus.

      1.     The Respondent had a ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas
             corpus. Relator has a clear right to the relief sought.

      In the recent case of In re Tyrone Allen, the Court of Criminal Appeals set

out the current standard to be applied in mandamus cases. See In re Tyrone Allen,

Nos. WR-82, 265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015). Mandamus

relief is appropriate only when a relator establishes (1) that he has no adequate

remedy at law to redress his alleged harm, and (2) that what he seeks to compel is a

ministerial act, not a discretionary or judicial decision. A relator satisfies the

ministerial act component when he can show that he has a clear right to the relief

                                         2
sought. “A clear right to relief is shown when the facts and circumstances dictate

but one rational decision 'under unequivocal, well-settled (i.e., from extant

statutory, constitutional, or case law sources), and clearly controlling legal

principles.’” A ministerial act, by its nature, does not involve the use of judicial

discretion; it must be positively commanded and so plainly prescribed under the

law as to be free from doubt. While a trial court has a ministerial duty to rule upon

a properly filed and timely presented motion, it generally has no ministerial duty to

rule a certain way on that motion. It is proper to order a court to rule a particular

way only when the law invoked is “definite, unambiguous, and unquestionably

applies to the indisputable facts of the case.” In re Tyrone Allen, Nos. WR-82,

265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015); see State ex rel. Healey v.

McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772, 774 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) (orig. proceeding) (an act is

ministerial when the, “law clearly spells out the duty to be performed with such

certainty that nothing is left to the discretion or judgment.” While mandamus is

not a substitute for appeal, it may be used to correct judicial action “that is clearly

contrary to well-settled law, whether that law is derived from statute, rule, or

opinion of a court.” Id.

      In a habeas corpus proceeding, “there is a distinction between the issuance

of a writ of habeas corpus and the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an

application for that writ.” Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App.

                                          3
1991). The writ is defined as an order issued by a court or judge of competent

jurisdiction, directed to anyone having a person in his custody, or under his

restraint, commanding him to produce such person, at a time and place named in

the writ, and show why he is held in custody or under restraint. TEX. CRIM. PROC.

CODE ANN. art. 11.01. In other words, the writ in a habeas corpus proceeding is

merely the formal order securing the presence of the person in custody.

      This Court’s jurisdiction over appeals of pre-trial habeas matters is limited to

review of the trial court’s written order ruling on the merits of the application. See

Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991); Ex parte Wiley, 949
S.W.2d 3, 4 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 1996, no pet.). When a hearing is held on the

merits of an applicant’s claim and the court subsequently rules on the merits of that

claim, the losing party may appeal. Ex Parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex.

Cr. App. 1991).

      In the present case, the Respondent issued a written order denying issuance

of the writ. (Exhibit 2, 4). An examination of the record reveals that the trial court

denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding

Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.

Because the court did not consider and resolve the merits of appellant’s habeas

corpus application, Relator could not appeal to this Court.

                                          4
      It is beyond question that the Respondent had a duty to issue the writ. Texas

district courts have constitutional and statutory authority to issue writs of habeas

corpus. TEX. CONST. art. V, §8; TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §24.011; TEX. CRIM.

PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.05; Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 867 (Tex. Cr.

App. 1991). The Texas Constitution provides that the writ of habeas corpus is a

“writ of right.” TEX. CONST. art. I, §12. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure

further provides that it is the duty of a district court, “upon proper motion, to grant

the writ under the rules prescribed by law.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art.

11.05. The writ “shall be granted without delay by the judge or court receiving the

petition, unless it be manifest from the petition itself, or some documents annexed

to it, that the party is entitled to no relief whatsoever.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE

ANN. art. 11.15. “Where one entitled to a writ of habeas corpus makes proper

application for it to the proper court having jurisdiction, said application

conforming to all the statutory requirements and probable cause being shown, the

writ of habeas corpus cannot be denied to the relator, for it then becomes a

constitutional right. Neither can it be denied where the granting of it is made an

imperative duty by statute.”     Click v. State, 118 Tex. Crim. 404, 407-408, 39
S.W.2d 39, 41 (1931).      Relator has complied with the requirements for such

petitions. See TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.14. Judge Wallace had a

mandatory duty to issue the writ of habeas corpus returnable in Harris County, to

                                          5
let the writ be served upon the sheriff of Harris County, and to timely to hear the

merits of Relator’s complaint. See TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. arts. 11.05,

11.08, 11.10, 11.11, 11.27, 11.31, 11.40.

      2.     Relator has no adequate remedy at law.

      Respondent denied issuance of the writ on the grounds that the Respondent’s

claim is not cognizable on a pre-trial writ of habeas corpus. (Exhibit 3). It is

important to note that Relator is not asking the Respondent to rule a certain way in

his case. There is a distinction between the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus and

the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an application for that writ. Ex

parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991). An applicant cannot

appeal from a trial court’s refusal to issue or grant a writ of habeas corpus, but may

appeal the denial of relief on the merits of the application. See Hargett, 819
S.W.2d at 868.

       At this juncture, Relator is only asking for the Respondent to issue the writ

according to recognized process and to make a ruling on the merits. See Ex parte

McCullough, 966 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998) (“The Court of Appeals

and the State have confused cognizability with jurisdiction. Certain claims may

not be cognizable on habeas corpus, i.e., they may not be proper grounds for

                                            6
habeas corpus relief. However, if the district court denies relief, regardless of the

underlying claims for the relief sought, the applicant may appeal.”); O'Donniley v.

Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267, 269 (Tex. App. - Tyler 1993, orig. proceeding) (“While

it is a basic premise that an appellate court lacks the power to compel a trial judge

to do a particular act involving or requiring discretion on his part, this Court is

empowered to order a trial judge to exercise his discretion in some manner.”); see

also In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225, 228 (Tex. App. - Amarillo 2001, orig.

proceeding) (“[A]dmittedly, the need to consider and rule upon a motion is not a

discretionary act.”); In re Minnfee, No. 07-09-0005-CV, 2009 Tex.App. LEXIS

332, at *2 (Tex. App.-Amarillo Jan. 16, 2009, orig. proceeding) (“[W]e cannot tell

a trial judge how to rule on motions pending before them before the trial judge

himself rules on them.”).

      It is well settled that a trial court violates a ministerial duty when it denies

issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. In re J.C.L., No. 10-11-00447-CV (Tex. App.

- Waco February 15, 2012) (original proceeding) (“the trial court has a ministerial

duty to consider and rule on relator’s habeas corpus applications”) (unpublished);

In re Solis, No. 04-04-00050-CV, 2004 WL 1336266 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

June 16, 2004, orig. proceeding) (holding that defendant was entitled to writ of

mandamus ordering trial court to consider and rule on his habeas corpus

application) (unpublished).

                                          7
      There is no right of appeal from the refusal to issue a writ of habeas corpus

when the trial court did not consider and resolve the merits of the application. See

Ex parte Ainsworth, 27 Tex. 731, 732-33 (Tex. 1865); Ex parte McCullough, 966
S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998); Purchase v. State, 176 S.W.3d 406, 407

(Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.); Ex parte Okere, 56 S.W.3d 846,

850 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2001, pet ref’d); Ex parte Gonzales, 12 S.W.3d 913,

914 (Tex. App. - Austin 2000, pet. ref’d); cf. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866,

869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (holding that if trial court reaches merits of habeas

corpus application, its ruling is appealable even if trial court refused to issue writ).

      An examination of the record in the present case reveals that the trial court

denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding

Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.

(Exhibit 2, 4); See Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex. Cr. App. 2008)

(“A hearing held to determine whether a writ should issue or whether the merits of

claims should be addressed is not the same as one that is held to resolve the merits

of an applicant’s allegations.”); Hargett, 819 S.W.2d at 868. Because the court did

not consider and resolve the merits of Relator’s habeas corpus application, Relator

could not appeal. Had he done so, his appeal would have been dismissed for lack

of jurisdiction.

                                            8
      In general, the absence of the right of appeal satisfies the mandamus

requirement that the relator have no legal remedy. Rosenthal v. Poe, 98 S.W.3d
194, 199 (Tex. Cr. App. 2003) (orig. proceeding).

      When a trial judge refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus or denies a

hearing on the merits, an applicant’s remedies are limited. The applicant may

either present the application to another judge having jurisdiction, or “under proper

circumstances” seek a writ of mandamus. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868

(Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (citing Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App.-El

Paso 1980, orig. proceeding)); see Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex.

Cr. App. 2008) (“Some remedies available to an applicant in that situation are to

present the application to another district judge having jurisdiction, or under proper

circumstances, to pursue a writ of mandamus.”); see also Ex parte Hayes, No. WR-

77,189-01 (Tex. Cr. App. March 7, 2012) (unpublished) (Johnson, J., concurring)

(“If the district court does not rule or refuses to rule, [the applicant] may then file

an application for a writ of mandamus in the court of appeals and petition that

court to order the district court to rule on his properly filed application for a writ of

habeas corpus. Once he has a ruling, he may appeal it if he so chooses. If the court

of appeals denies relief on his application for a writ of mandamus, he may file an

application for a writ of mandamus in this Court.”).

                                           9
      Although the Court of Criminal Appeals has suggested that an applicant

“shop around” his writ to other district courts, several Courts of Appeal have found

this procedure to be impracticable. The Waco court of appeals found that the time

involved in trying to present a writ to another district court after its issuance has

been denied is an inadequate remedy. In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. -

Waco 1999, original proceeding). In Davis, the court held as follows:

      Given the short period of time before the date for the second trial as
      scheduled by the Respondent, in which Davis would have to seek the
      requested relief, and the difficulties inherent in locating another
      district judge to rule on the merits of his habeas application and to
      then obtain appellate review in the event of a denial of the application,
      we conclude the theoretical habeas remedy available to Davis is
      inadequate in these circumstances.

In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. — Waco 1999, original proceeding).

      Other courts of appeal have ruled similarly. See Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609
S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding); In re Altschul,

236 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Waco 2007 original proceeding); Thi Van Le v.

Perkins, 700 S.W.2d 768, 776 (Tex. App. - Austin 1985, orig. proceeding),

mandamus denied sub nom. Perkins v. Court of Appeals, 738 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. Cr.

App. 1987) (A remedy by appeal will not prevent the issue of mandamus if that

remedy is inadequate or tedious.).

                                         10
      3.     Mandamus is appropriate in these circumstances.

      In Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) the Court of

Criminal Appeals cited Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. -

El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding) for the proposition that mandamus is appropriate

in certain circumstances where a trial court refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus.

In Von Kolb, relator filed a pre-trial application for writ of habeas corpus sixteen

days before the court of appeals’ opinion. He made several unsuccessful attempts

to set a hearing date, but the trial court took no action on the application. The court

of appeals rejected the state’s argument that Von Kolb had the adequate remedy of

“shop[ping] around for a different forum which would take action on his

application for the writ of habeas corpus.” Id. at 656. The court conditionally

issued the writ, ordering the trial judge to act on the application. Id.

      In an attempt to comply with the suggestion of Ex parte Hargett, 819
S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991), Relator presented his pre-trial writ of

habeas corpus to other district courts. The 179th district court and 230th district

court issued written orders also denying issuance of the writ. (Exhibits 6, 8).

                                           11
Several other district courts were approached as well, but were unwilling to

participate in Relator’s shopping expedition.1

      Relator regrets the timing of this writ of mandamus coming so close to the

start of trial. In addition to the delay caused by his shopping trip through the

district courts, Relator has been delayed in filing this mandamus due to the health

of the undersigned counsel.2

      4.     Relator is in need of temporary relief.

      Section 22.221 of the Government Code authorizes this Court to issue writs

of mandamus and other writs necessary to enforce its jurisdiction, issue writs of

mandamus agreeable to principles of law regulating such writs against a judge of a

district or county court in the appellate court’s district, and issue writs of habeas

corpus in certain instances. See Tex. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221. Furthermore,

1
 In his attempt to “shop around” for a district court willing to issue the writ, it was
Relator’s distinct impression that the other district courts were less than
enthusiastic about interfering with a case originating from another district court.
2
  Undersigned counsel Shearer became afflicted with a MRSA staff infection on
the bones inside his foot beginning in October of 2014 and has had multiple
surgeries and hospital stays in an attempt to save his foot. Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a serious staph infection caused by an
antibiotic-resistant bacterium. See Colyer v. State, 428 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. Cr. App.
2014). The prognosis is good, but the undersigned is still undergoing medical
treatment as of this date.

                                          12
Rule 52.10 of the rules of appellate procedure specifically gives this Court the

authority to grant immediate temporary relief. See TEX. R. APP. PROC. 52.10. It is

well settled that an appellate court will protect its jurisdiction by preserving the

subject matter of the litigation in order to make its decrees effective. See Dawson

v. First National Bank of Troup, 417 S.W.2d 652 (Tex. Civ. App. - Tyler 1967, no

writ); White v. Baker & Botts, 833 S.W.2d 327, 329 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st

Dist.] 1992, no writ).

      This is an emergency motion because the Relator’s case is set for a trial date

of Friday, 06-26-2015. (See attached Exhibit 1). Relator has attached the petition

for writ of mandamus to this motion and incorporates it by reference.

                            Motion for Temporary Relief

      For the reasons stated in this motion and the attached petition for mandamus

and prohibition, Relator prays this Honorable Court will issue a writ of mandamus

directing Respondent to stay Relator’s June 26, 2015 jury trial. Relator also prays

that the Respondent be ordered to answer, that the action be stayed pending further

orders from this Court, for this Court to set this petition for a hearing at the earliest

practicable time and to grant Relator any and all other appropriate relief. See TEX.

R. APP. PROC. 52.10.

                                           13
           Respectfully submitted,

     By:   /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER
           R. Scott Shearer
           TBA No. 00786464
           917 Franklin, Suite 320
           Houston, Texas 77002
           (713) 254-5629
           (713) 224-2889 FAX
           ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com

           Attorney for Relator

           June 23, 2015

14
                        CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a true and correct copy of the attached petition for writ of
mandamus, motion for temporary relief, and record, has been served upon the
Respondent and the State by EXPEDITED MEANS by e-mailing a copy of same
to the following addresses on this the 23rd day of June, 2015:

HON. JIM WALLACE
ERICA THOMAS BRICE, COORDINATOR
263RD DISTRICT COURT
1201 FRANKLIN, 15TH FLOOR
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
Erica_Thomas-Brice@justex.net

A.D.A. CLINTON MORGAN
DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
APPELLATE SECTION
HOUSTON, TX 77002
MORGAN_CLINTON@dao.hctx.net

                                                  /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER
                                                  R. Scott Shearer

                                       15
 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ____________
         COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
                                     01-15-00555-CR
                              No. _______________                   FILED IN
                                                               st
                                                              1 COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                  HOUSTON, TX
                                                                 JUNE 23, 2015
IN RE MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI,                                  CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE,
                           Relator                                   CLERK

             _____________________________________________________

               RELATOR’S PETITION FOR WRIT
                     OF MANDAMUS
             _____________________________________________________

             _____________________________________________________

              From the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas,
               Honorable Jim Wallace presiding in Cause Numbers
                              1411883 & 1437307
             _____________________________________________________

Jerome Godinich, Jr.                              R. Scott Shearer
TBA No. 08054700                                  TBA No. 00786464
917 Frankilin, Suite 320                          917 Franklin, Suite 320
Houston, TX 77002                                 Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-8388                                    (713) 254-5629
(713) 224-2889 FAX                                (713) 224-2889 FAX
JGodinich@AOL.com                                 ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com

Attorney for Relator                              Attorney for Relator
                                                  (on writ and mandamus only)

                                        i
                  REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT

       The Relator, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI, requests oral argument in

this case.

                                  ii
                     IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

      So that the members of this Court may evaluate possible disqualification or

recusal, Relator submits the following list of interested parties and their respective

attorneys:

      Mathew Payam Shalouei -                        Relator

      [in custody]

      Jerome Godinich, Jr.                           Attorney for Relator.

      917 Franklin, Suite 320
      Houston, TX 77002

      R. Scott Shearer -                             Attorney for Relator.
                                                     (on writ and mandamus only)

      917 Franklin, Ste. 320
      Houston, TX 77002

      Lacy Johnson -                                 Counsel for the State of Texas.

      District Attorney’s Office
      1201 Franklin
      Houston, TX 77002

      Hon. Jim Wallace -                             Respondent.

      263rd District Court
      1201 Franklin, 15th Floor
      Houston, Texas 77002

                                          iii
                                    TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                   Page

STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT...................................... ii

IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL….…......................................... iii

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES........................................................................... v-viii

THE PARTIES………………….................................................................... 2

STATEMENT OF THE CASE......................................................................... 2

STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION…………………………………………. 3

ISSUES PRESENTED……………………………………………………….. 3

STATEMENT OF FACTS…………………………………………………… 4

ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES………………………….…………….. 5

PRAYER FOR RELIEF................................................................................... 19

CERTIFICATION……………………………………………………………. 20

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH TEX. R. APP. PROC. 9.4…………21

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE......................................................................... 22

RECORDS AND EXHIBITS………………………………………………… 23

                                                    iv
                                        INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
                                                                                                                        Page

CASES

Allen v. Guarino, 635 S.W.2d 129 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, no writ) 6

City of Highland Park v. Dallas Ry. Co., 243 S.W. 674 (Tex. Civ. App.- Dallas

  1922, writ ref'd) .......................................................................................................9

Click v. State, 118 Tex. Crim. 404, 39 S.W.2d 39 (1931) ........................................12

Colyer v. State, 428 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. Cr. App. 2014) .............................................5

Dawson v. First National Bank of Troup, 417 S.W.2d 652 (Tex. Civ. App. - Tyler

  1967, no writ) ........................................................................................................13

Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238 (Tex. 1985) ....................7

Ex parte Ainsworth, 27 Tex. 731 (Tex. 1865) .........................................................14

Ex parte Gonzales, 12 S.W.3d 913 (Tex. App. - Austin 2000, pet. ref’d) ..............15

Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) ...........................................

  ................................................................................ 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18

Ex parte Hayes, No. WR-77,189-01 (Tex. Cr. App. March 7, 2012) (unpublished)

  ...............................................................................................................................16

Ex parte McCullough, 966 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998) ................. 13, 15

Ex parte Okere, 56 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2001, pet ref’d) .............15

Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391 (Tex. Cr. App. 2008)............................ 15, 16

Ex parte Wiley, 949 S.W.2d 3 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 1996, no pet.)...................11

                                                                v
IMC Fertilizer, Inc. v. O'Neill, 846 S.W.2d 590, 591 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th

  Dist.] 1993, orig. proceeding). ............................................................................7, 8

In re Altschul, 236 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Waco 2007, original proceeding) .....17

In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225 (Tex. App. - Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding) ........14

In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. - Waco 1999, original proceeding) ........17

In re Dickason, 987 S.W.2d 570 (Tex.1998) (orig. proceeding) ...............................7

In re J.C.L., No. 10-11-00447-CV (Tex. App. - Waco February 15, 2012, original

  proceeding) (unpublished) ....................................................................................14

In re Minnfee, No. 07-09-0005-CV, 2009 Tex.App. LEXIS 332, at *2 (Tex. App.-

  Amarillo Jan. 16, 2009, orig. proceeding) ............................................................14

In re Solis, No. 04-04-00050-CV, 2004 WL 1336266 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

  June 16, 2004, orig. proceeding) (unpublished) ...................................................14

In re State, 50 S.W.3d 100 (Tex. App. - El Paso 2001, orig. proceeding) ................7

In re Tyrone Allen, Nos. WR-82, 265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13,

  2015)........................................................................................................................9

O'Donniley v. Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267 (Tex. App. - Tyler 1993, orig. proceeding)

  ...............................................................................................................................13

Purchase v. State, 176 S.W.3d 406 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.)

  ...............................................................................................................................15

Rosenthal v. Poe, 98 S.W.3d 194 (Tex. Cr. App. 2003)..........................................15

                                                               vi
State ex rel. Healey v. McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) (orig.

  proceeding) ................................................................................................... 3, 6, 10

State ex rel. Holmes v. Honorable Court of Appeals for Third Dist., 885 S.W.2d
389 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) ........................................................................................7

State ex rel. Holmes v. Third Court of Appeals, 885 S.W.2d 389 (Tex. Cr. App.

  1994)........................................................................................................................9

State ex rel. Wade v. Mays, 689 S.W.2d 893 (Tex. Cr. App. 1985) ..........................6

Stearnes v. Clinton, 780 S.W.2d 216 (Tex. Cr. App. 1989) ......................................8

Texas Dept. of Corrections v. Dalehite, 623 S.W.2d 420 (Tex. Cr. App. 1981) ......6

Thi Van Le v. Perkins, 700 S.W.2d 768 (Tex. App. - Austin 1985, orig.

  proceeding), mandamus denied sub nom. Perkins v. Court of Appeals, 738
S.W.2d 276 (Tex. Cr. App. 1987) .........................................................................17

Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding)

  ............................................................................................................ 16, 17, 18, 19
Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1992) ............................................... 6, 7, 8

White v. Baker & Botts, 833 S.W.2d 327 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, no

  writ) .......................................................................................................................13

Wolff v. Thornton, 670 S.W.2d 764 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist] 1984, no writ) 6

STATUTES

TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.01..................................................................11

                                                              vii
TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.05..................................................................12

TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.14..................................................................12

TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.15..................................................................12

Tex. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221 ..................................................................... 3, 5, 11

TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §24.011 .............................................................................11

TEX. PENAL CODE §19.03 ...........................................................................................2

RULES

TEX. R. APP. PROC. 52.10 .................................................................................... 13, 3

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

TEX. CONST. art. I, §12 .............................................................................................12

TEX. CONST. art. V, §8 .............................................................................................11

                                                         viii
 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ____________
         COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

                             No. _______________

IN RE MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI,
                         Relator

             _____________________________________________________

               RELATOR’S PETITION FOR WRIT
                     OF MANDAMUS
             _____________________________________________________

             _____________________________________________________

              From the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas,
               Honorable Jim Wallace presiding in Cause Numbers
                              1411883 & 1437307
             _____________________________________________________

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:

      Relator, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI respectfully submits this petition

for writ of mandamus an order of the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas,

the Honorable Jim Wallace presiding, denying issuance of Relator’s pre-trial writ

of habeas corpus. (Exhibits 2-4).
A.    The Parties

      1.     The Relator

      Relator, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI is the Defendant in criminal

action number 1411883 in the 263rd Judicial District Court of Harris County,

Texas. Relator is charged with the offense of capital murder. See TEX. PENAL

CODE §19.03. (Exhibits 1-2).

      2.     The Respondent

      Respondent, Judge Jim Wallace, is the presiding judge of the 263rd District

Court of Harris County, Texas, the court in which Relator’s trial is scheduled.

B.    Statement of the case

      The Defendant was indicted in cause number 1411883 in the 263rd district

court of Harris County, Texas for the offense of capital murder. See TEX. PENAL

CODE §19.03. Based upon recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court,

Relator filed a pre-trial writ of habeas corpus alleging that the Texas capital

sentencing scheme for juveniles is facially unconstitutional. (Exhibit 3).        The

Respondent issued an order denying issuance of Relator’s pre-trial writ. (Exhibit

4. A jury trial is preferentially set for June 26, 2015. (Exhibit 1).

                                           2
C.    Statement of jurisdiction

      Section 22.221 of the Government Code authorizes courts of appeal to issue

writs of mandamus and other writs necessary to enforce their jurisdiction, issue

writs of mandamus agreeable to principles of law regulating such writs against a

judge of a district or county court in the appellate court’s district, and issue writs of

habeas corpus in certain other instances. See Tex. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221. In

addition, Rule 52.10 of the rules of appellate procedure specifically gives this

Court the authority to grant immediate temporary relief upon the filing of a petition

for writ of mandamus. TEX. R. APP. PROC. 52.10.

D.    Issues presented

      ISSUE ONE: DID THE RESPONDENT VIOLATE HIS MINISTERIAL
      DUTY TO ISSUE RELATOR’S PRE-TRIAL WRIT OF HABEAS
      CORPUS?

      ISSUE TWO: DOES RELATOR HAVE AN ADEQUATE REMEDY AT
      LAW?

                                           3
E.    Relief Sought

      Relator files this petition for writ of mandamus, asking this Court to order

Judge Wallace to issue Relator’s previously filed writ of habeas corpus. Because

Respondent had no discretion in the matter, he had a ministerial duty to issue the

writ according to recognized procedure and process.

F.    Statement of facts.

      This petition for writ of mandamus results from Respondent’s failure to

perform his ministerial duty to grant issuance of Relator’s pre-trial writ of habeas

corpus. The trial court denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or

argument regarding appellant’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the

merits of those claims. (Exhibits 2, 4).

      In an attempt to comply with the suggestion of Ex parte Hargett, 819
S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991), Relator presented his pre-trial writ of

habeas corpus to other district courts. The 179th district court and 230th district

court issued written orders also denying issuance of the writ. (Exhibits 6, 8).

                                           4
Several other district courts were approached as well, but were unwilling to

participate in Relator’s shopping expedition.3

      Relator regrets the timing of this writ of mandamus coming so close to the

start of trial. In addition to the delay caused by his shopping trip through the

district courts, Relator has been delayed in filing this mandamus due to the health

of the undersigned counsel.4

G.    Argument and Authorities

      1.     Standard of review.

      An appellate court has authority to issue writs of mandamus and all other

writs necessary to enforce its jurisdiction. TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221(a); See

3
 In his attempt to “shop around” for a district court willing to issue the writ, it was
Relator’s distinct impression that the other district courts were less than
enthusiastic about interfering with a case originating from another district court.
4
  Undersigned counsel Shearer became afflicted with a MRSA staff infection on
the bones inside his foot beginning in October of 2014 and has had multiple
surgeries and hospital stays in an attempt to save the foot. Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a serious staph infection caused by an
antibiotic-resistant bacterium. See Colyer v. State, 428 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. Cr. App.
2014). The prognosis is good, but the undersigned is still undergoing medical
treatment as of this date.

                                          5
Wolff v. Thornton, 670 S.W.2d 764 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist] 1984, no writ);

Allen v. Guarino, 635 S.W.2d 129 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, no writ).

       The extraordinary relief of mandamus will not generally issue unless the

result sought by the aggrieved party is “ministerial” in nature, as opposed to being

“judicial” or “discretionary.” State ex rel. Wade v. Mays, 689 S.W.2d 893, 898

(Tex. Cr. App. 1985). In State ex rel. Healey v. McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772 (Tex.

Cr. App. 1994) (orig. proceeding) the Court of Criminal Appeals stated that an act

is ministerial when the, “law clearly spells out the duty to be performed with such

certainty that nothing is left to the discretion or judgment.” State ex rel. Healey v.

McMeans, 884 S.W.2d at 774; see Texas Dept. of Corrections v. Dalehite, 623
S.W.2d 420, 424 (Tex. Cr. App. 1981). The Court further explained that while

mandamus is not a substitute for appeal, it may be used to correct judicial action,

“that is clearly contrary to well-settled law, whether that law is derived from

statute, rule, or opinion of a court.” Id.

       Mandamus may also issue where a court has so clearly abused its discretion

that it amounts to a clear and prejudicial error of law. A trial court clearly abuses

its discretion if it reaches a decision “so arbitrary and unreasonable as to amount to

a clear and prejudicial error of law.” Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839 (Tex.

1994). In other words, an abuse of discretion occurs if a trial court acted without

                                             6
reference to any guiding rules and principles. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators,

Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42 (Tex. 1985).

      The resolution of factual matters is committed to the sound discretion of the

trial court, and the reviewing court may not substitute its judgment for that of the

trial court. Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 839. On the other hand, appellate review of a

trial court's determination of what the law is, or its application of the law to the

facts, is much less deferential. Id. at 840. Because a trial court has no discretion

in the matter, a failure of the trial court to properly analyze the law or apply it to

the facts will constitute an abuse of discretion. Id.; IMC Fertilizer v. O’Neill, 846
S.W.2d 590, 591 (Tex. App. - Houston [14 Dist.] 1993).

      Mandamus is available when a trial judge enters an order without statutory

authority. In re State, 50 S.W.3d 100, 102 (Tex. App. - El Paso 2001, orig.

proceeding). An order entered without authority is void, and mandamus is the

appropriate remedy when a trial court enters a void order. In re Dickason, 987
S.W.2d 570, 571 (Tex.1998) (orig. proceeding); State ex rel. Holmes v. Third

Court of Appeals, 885 S.W.2d 389, 396 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994).

      In a mandamus proceeding, the reviewing court must determine whether the

relator has an adequate remedy by appeal, and whether the respondent abused his

discretion.   Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839-40 (Tex. 1992); IMC

Fertilizer, Inc. v. O’Neill, 846 S.W.2d 590, 591 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.]

                                          7
1993, orig. proceeding). Mandamus will not normally issue when there is a clear

and adequate remedy by a regular appeal, because mandamus is intended to be an

extraordinary remedy, available only in limited circumstances.        Walker, 827
S.W.2d at 840. The writ usually issues only in situations involving manifest and

urgent necessity. Id.

      Mandamus is the proper vehicle to review the Respondent’s actions in this

case. Relator is entitled to mandamus relief because Judge Wallace (1) failed to

perform a ministerial duty; and (2) Relator has no adequate remedy at law. See

Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1992)(original proceeding); In re Union

Pac. Resources Co., 969 S.W.2d 427, 428 (Tex. 1998) (orig. proceeding); In re

O’Connor, 92 S.W.3d 446, 450 (Tex. 2002) (orig. proceeding). Additionally, the

errors presented in this mandamus are of such importance to the jurisprudence of

the State that the Respondent’s actions require correction. Mandamus is the most

judicially economic way of correcting the trial court’s failure to perform its

mandatory, ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas corpus. Relator would be

forced to endure a void felony trial before being able to secure relief through a

normal appeal. See Stearnes v. Clinton, 780 S.W.2d 216, 225 (Tex. Cr. App.

1989)(Using “the appellate process in this situation to correct this particular ill

would be too burdensome and would only aggravate the harm and most likely

would result in a new trial compelling relator to again endure a trip through the

                                        8
system.”); City of Highland Park v. Dallas Ry. Co., 243 S.W. 674, 681 (Tex. Civ.

App.- Dallas 1922, writ ref’d) (remedy must be “equally convenient, beneficial,

and effective as the proceeding by mandamus”).        A regular appeal is not an

adequate remedy in this situation. See State ex rel. Holmes v. Third Court of

Appeals, 885 S.W.2d 389, 394 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994)(“In some cases, a remedy at

law may technically exist; however, it may nevertheless be so uncertain, tedious,

burdensome, slow, inconvenient, inappropriate or ineffective as to be deemed

inadequate.”).

      1.    The Respondent had a ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas
            corpus. Relator has a clear right to the relief sought.

      In the recent case of In re Tyrone Allen, the Court of Criminal Appeals set

out the current standard to be applied in mandamus cases. See In re Tyrone Allen,

Nos. WR-82, 265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015). Mandamus

relief is appropriate only when a relator establishes (1) that he has no adequate

remedy at law to redress his alleged harm, and (2) that what he seeks to compel is a

ministerial act, not a discretionary or judicial decision. A relator satisfies the

ministerial act component when he can show that he has a clear right to the relief

sought. “A clear right to relief is shown when the facts and circumstances dictate

but one rational decision 'under unequivocal, well-settled (i.e., from extant

                                         9
statutory, constitutional, or case law sources), and clearly controlling legal

principles.’” A ministerial act, by its nature, does not involve the use of judicial

discretion; it must be positively commanded and so plainly prescribed under the

law as to be free from doubt. While a trial court has a ministerial duty to rule upon

a properly filed and timely presented motion, it generally has no ministerial duty to

rule a certain way on that motion. It is proper to order a court to rule a particular

way only when the law invoked is “definite, unambiguous, and unquestionably

applies to the indisputable facts of the case.” In re Tyrone Allen, Nos. WR-82,

265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015); see State ex rel. Healey v.

McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772, 774 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) (orig. proceeding) (an act is

ministerial when the, “law clearly spells out the duty to be performed with such

certainty that nothing is left to the discretion or judgment.” While mandamus is

not a substitute for appeal, it may be used to correct judicial action “that is clearly

contrary to well-settled law, whether that law is derived from statute, rule, or

opinion of a court.” Id.

      In a habeas corpus proceeding, “there is a distinction between the issuance

of a writ of habeas corpus and the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an

application for that writ.” Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App.

1991). The writ is defined as an order issued by a court or judge of competent

jurisdiction, directed to anyone having a person in his custody, or under his

                                          10
restraint, commanding him to produce such person, at a time and place named in

the writ, and show why he is held in custody or under restraint. TEX. CRIM. PROC.

CODE ANN. art. 11.01. In other words, the writ in a habeas corpus proceeding is

merely the formal order securing the presence of the person in custody.

      This Court’s jurisdiction over appeals of pre-trial habeas matters is limited to

review of the trial court’s written order ruling on the merits of the application. See

Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991); Ex parte Wiley, 949
S.W.2d 3, 4 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 1996, no pet.). When a hearing is held on the

merits of an applicant’s claim and the court subsequently rules on the merits of that

claim, the losing party may appeal. Ex Parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex.

Cr. App. 1991).

      In the present case, the Respondent issued a written order denying issuance

of the writ. (Exhibit 2, 4). An examination of the record reveals that the trial court

denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding

Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.

Because the court did not consider and resolve the merits of appellant’s habeas

corpus application, Relator could not appeal to this Court.

      It is beyond question that the Respondent had a duty to issue the writ. Texas

district courts have constitutional and statutory authority to issue writs of habeas

corpus. TEX. CONST. art. V, §8; TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §24.011; TEX. CRIM.

                                         11
PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.05; Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 867 (Tex. Cr.

App. 1991). The Texas Constitution provides that the writ of habeas corpus is a

“writ of right.” TEX. CONST. art. I, §12. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure

further provides that it is the duty of a district court, “upon proper motion, to grant

the writ under the rules prescribed by law.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art.

11.05. The writ “shall be granted without delay by the judge or court receiving the

petition, unless it be manifest from the petition itself, or some documents annexed

to it, that the party is entitled to no relief whatsoever.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE

ANN. art. 11.15. “Where one entitled to a writ of habeas corpus makes proper

application for it to the proper court having jurisdiction, said application

conforming to all the statutory requirements and probable cause being shown, the

writ of habeas corpus cannot be denied to the relator, for it then becomes a

constitutional right. Neither can it be denied where the granting of it is made an

imperative duty by statute.” Click v. State, 118 Tex. Crim. 404, 407-408, 39 S.W.2d
39, 41 (1931). Relator has complied with the requirements for such petitions. See

TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.14. Judge Wallace had a mandatory duty to

issue the writ of habeas corpus returnable in Harris County, to let the writ be

served upon the sheriff of Harris County, and to timely to hear the merits of

Relator’s complaint. See TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. arts. 11.05, 11.08, 11.10,

11.11, 11.27, 11.31, 11.40.

                                          12
      2.     Relator has no adequate remedy at law.

      Respondent denied issuance of the writ on the grounds that the Respondent’s

claim is not cognizable on a pre-trial writ of habeas corpus. (Exhibit 4). It is

important to note that Relator is not asking the Respondent to rule a certain way in

his case. There is a distinction between the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus and

the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an application for that writ. Ex

parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991). An applicant cannot

appeal from a trial court’s refusal to issue or grant a writ of habeas corpus, but may

appeal the denial of relief on the merits of the application. See Hargett, 819
S.W.2d at 868.

       At this juncture, Relator is only asking for the Respondent to issue the writ

according to recognized process and to make a ruling on the merits. See Ex parte

McCullough, 966 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998) (“The Court of Appeals

and the State have confused cognizability with jurisdiction. Certain claims may

not be cognizable on habeas corpus, i.e., they may not be proper grounds for

habeas corpus relief. However, if the district court denies relief, regardless of the

underlying claims for the relief sought, the applicant may appeal.”); O'Donniley v.

Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267, 269 (Tex. App. - Tyler 1993, orig. proceeding) (“While

it is a basic premise that an appellate court lacks the power to compel a trial judge

                                         13
to do a particular act involving or requiring discretion on his part, this Court is

empowered to order a trial judge to exercise his discretion in some manner.”); see

also In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225, 228 (Tex. App. - Amarillo 2001, orig.

proceeding) (“[A]dmittedly, the need to consider and rule upon a motion is not a

discretionary act.”); In re Minnfee, No. 07-09-0005-CV, 2009 Tex.App. LEXIS

332, at *2 (Tex. App.-Amarillo Jan. 16, 2009, orig. proceeding) (unpublished)

(“[W]e cannot tell a trial judge how to rule on motions pending before them before

the trial judge himself rules on them.”).

      It is well settled that a trial court violates a ministerial duty when it denies

issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. In re J.C.L., No. 10-11-00447-CV (Tex. App.

- Waco February 15, 2012, original proceeding) (“the trial court has a ministerial

duty to consider and rule on relator’s habeas corpus applications”) (unpublished);

In re Solis, No. 04-04-00050-CV, 2004 WL 1336266 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

June 16, 2004, orig. proceeding) (unpublished) (holding that defendant was entitled

to writ of mandamus ordering trial court to consider and rule on his habeas corpus

application).

      There is no right of appeal from the refusal to issue a writ of habeas corpus

when the trial court did not consider and resolve the merits of the application. See

Ex parte Ainsworth, 27 Tex. 731, 732-33 (Tex. 1865); Ex parte McCullough, 966
S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998); Purchase v. State, 176 S.W.3d 406, 407

                                            14
(Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.); Ex parte Okere, 56 S.W.3d 846,

850 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2001, pet ref’d); Ex parte Gonzales, 12 S.W.3d 913,

914 (Tex. App. - Austin 2000, pet. ref’d); cf. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866,

869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (holding that if trial court reaches merits of habeas

corpus application, its ruling is appealable even if trial court refused to issue writ).

      An examination of the record in the present case reveals that the trial court

denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding

Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.

(Exhibit 2, 4); See Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex. Cr. App. 2008)

(“A hearing held to determine whether a writ should issue or whether the merits of

claims should be addressed is not the same as one that is held to resolve the merits

of an applicant’s allegations.”); Hargett, 819 S.W.2d at 868. Because the court did

not consider and resolve the merits of Relator’s habeas corpus application, Relator

could not appeal. Had he done so, his appeal would have surely been dismissed for

lack of jurisdiction.

      In general, the absence of the right of appeal satisfies the mandamus

requirement that the relator have no legal remedy. Rosenthal v. Poe, 98 S.W.3d
194, 199 (Tex. Cr. App. 2003) (orig. proceeding).

      When a trial judge refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus or denies a

hearing on the merits, an applicant’s remedies are limited. The applicant may

                                           15
either present the application to another judge having jurisdiction, or “under proper

circumstances” seek a writ of mandamus. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868

(Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (citing Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App.-El

Paso 1980, orig. proceeding)); see Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex.

Cr. App. 2008) (“Some remedies available to an applicant in that situation are to

present the application to another district judge having jurisdiction, or under proper

circumstances, to pursue a writ of mandamus.”); see Ex parte Hayes, No. WR-

77,189-01 (Tex. Cr. App. March 7, 2012) (unpublished) (Johnson, J., concurring)

(“If the district court does not rule or refuses to rule, [the applicant] may then file

an application for a writ of mandamus in the court of appeals and petition that

court to order the district court to rule on his properly filed application for a writ of

habeas corpus. Once he has a ruling, he may appeal it if he so chooses. If the court

of appeals denies relief on his application for a writ of mandamus, he may file an

application for a writ of mandamus in this Court.”).

      Although the Court of Criminal Appeals has suggested that an applicant

“shop around” his writ to other district courts, several Courts of Appeal have found

this procedure to be impracticable. The Waco court of appeals found that the time

involved in trying to present a writ to another district court after its issuance has

been denied is an inadequate remedy. In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. -

Waco 1999, original proceeding). In Davis, the court held as follows:

                                           16
      Given the short period of time before the date for the second trial as
      scheduled by the Respondent, in which Davis would have to seek the
      requested relief, and the difficulties inherent in locating another
      district judge to rule on the merits of his habeas application and to
      then obtain appellate review in the event of a denial of the application,
      we conclude the theoretical habeas remedy available to Davis is
      inadequate in these circumstances.

In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. - Waco 1999, original proceeding).

      Other courts of appeal have ruled similarly. See Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609
S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding); In re Altschul,

236 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Waco 2007, original proceeding); Thi Van Le v.

Perkins, 700 S.W.2d 768, 776 (Tex. App. - Austin 1985, orig. proceeding),

mandamus denied sub nom. Perkins v. Court of Appeals, 738 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. Cr.

App. 1987) (A remedy by appeal will not prevent the issue of mandamus if that

remedy is inadequate or tedious.).

      3.     Mandamus is appropriate in these circumstances.

      In Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) the Court of

Criminal Appeals cited Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. -

El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding) for the proposition that mandamus is appropriate

in certain circumstances where a trial court refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus.

                                         17
In Von Kolb, relator filed a pre-trial application for writ of habeas corpus sixteen

days before the court of appeals’ opinion. He made several unsuccessful attempts

to set a hearing date, but the trial court took no action on the application. The court

of appeals rejected the state’s argument that Von Kolb had the adequate remedy of

“shop[ping] around for a different forum which would take action on his

application for the writ of habeas corpus.” Id. at 656. The court conditionally

issued the writ, ordering the trial judge to act on the application. Id.

      In an attempt to comply with the suggestion of Ex parte Hargett, 819
S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991), Relator presented his pre-trial writ of

habeas corpus to other district courts. The 179th district court and 230th district

court issued written orders also denying issuance of the writ. (Exhibits 6, 8).

Several other district courts were approached as well, but were unwilling to

participate in Relator’s shopping expedition.

      The Respondent had a ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas, which he

did not do. Relator has no ability to appeal the Respondent’s decision. This Court

should, therefore, grant Relator’s writ of mandamus and order the Respondent to

issue the Relator’s pre-trial writ of habeas corpus and make a ruling on the merits.

See Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig.

proceeding).

                                           18
      H.     Prayer for Relief

      FOR THESE REASONS, the Relator prays the Honorable Court of

Appeals will grant him a stay pending a hearing conducted by this Court, issue a

writ of mandamus directing Respondent to issue the Relator’s pre-trial writ of

habeas corpus, make a ruling on the merits of said writ, and grant Relator any and

all other appropriate relief.

                                                  Respectfully submitted,

                                            By:
                                                  /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER
                                                  R. Scott Shearer
                                                  TBA No. 00786464
                                                  917 Franklin, Suite 320
                                                  Houston, Texas 77002
                                                  (713) 254-5629
                                                  (713) 224-2889 FAX
                                                  ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com

                                                  Attorney for Relator

                                                  June 23, 2015

                                       19
        CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 9.4(i)(3)

           Certificate of Compliance with Type-Volume Limitations
                          and Typeface Requirements.

1.   This writ of mandamus complies with the type-volume limitation of Tex. R.
     APP. Proc. 9.4(i)(2) and (3) because:

     This writ of mandamus contains 4,099 words, excluding the parts of
     the mandamus exempted by Tex. R. APP. Proc. 9.4(i)(1).

2.   This writ of mandamus complies with the typeface requirements of Tex. R.
     APP. Proc. 9.4(e) because:

     this writ of mandamus has been prepared in a conventional
     proportionally spaced typeface using Microsoft WORD 97 version 7.0
     in Garamond 14 point type.

                                                  /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER
                                                  R. Scott Shearer

                                     21
                        CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I certify that a true and correct copy of the attached petition for writ of
mandamus, motion for temporary relief, and record, has been served upon the
Respondent and the State by EXPEDITED MEANS by e-mailing a copy of same
to the following addresses on this the 23rd day of January, 2015:

HON. JIM WALLACE
ERICA THOMAS BRICE, COORDINATOR
263RD DISTRICT COURT
1201 FRANKLIN, 15TH FLOOR
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
Erica_Thomas-Brice@justex.net

A.D.A. CLINTON MORGAN
DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
APPELLATE SECTION
HOUSTON, TX 77002
MORGAN_CLINTON@dao.hctx.net

                                                  /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER
                                                  R. Scott Shearer

                                       22