Court Opinion

ID: 9904881
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-28 13:09:23.122281+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:47.150333
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                    San Antonio, Texas
                                MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                        No. 04-23-00878-CR

                                         Ricardo DE LA O,
                                             Appellant

                                                  v.

                                       The STATE of Texas,
                                             Appellee

                    From the 399th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
                                  Trial Court No. 2023CR0309
                            Honorable Frank J. Castro, Judge Presiding

PER CURIAM

Sitting:         Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice
                 Irene Rios Justice
                 Beth Watkins, Justice

Delivered and Filed: November 22, 2023

DISMISSED

           On September 29, 2023, appellant Ricardo De La O II filed a “Notice of Appeal From

Negotiated Plea.” After De La O filed his notice of appeal, the district clerk filed a copy of the

clerk’s record showing De La O entered into a written plea bargain agreement with the State

pursuant to which he pled nolo contendere to three counts of aggravated sexual assault. The clerk’s

record further shows the trial court imposed a sentence in accordance with the agreement and

signed a certification stating this “is a plea-bargain case, and the defendant has NO right of appeal.”

See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2).
                                                                                       04-23-00878-CR

        “In a plea bargain case . . . a defendant may appeal only: (A) those matters that were raised

by written motion filed and ruled on before trial, (B) after getting the trial court’s permission to

appeal; or (C) where the specific appeal is expressly authorized by statute.” Id. We must dismiss

an appeal “if a certification that shows the defendant has the right of appeal has not been made

part of the record.” Id. R. 25.2(d).

        Here, the clerk’s record establishes the punishment assessed by the court does not exceed

the punishment recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to by De La O. It also does not include

a written motion filed and ruled upon before trial; nor does it indicate the trial court gave De La O

permission to appeal. Thus, the record supports the trial court’s certification this is a plea-bargain

case and De La O does not have a right to appeal. See id. R. 25.2.; Dears v. State, 154 S.W.3d 610

(Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (holding court of appeals should review clerk’s record to determine

whether trial court’s certification is accurate).

        On October 6, 2023, we ordered De La O to file a response establishing an amended

certification showing he has the right to appeal has been made part of the appellate record. We

cautioned De La O failure to satisfactorily respond to this order within the time provided would

result in the dismissal of this appeal. On November 5, 2023, De La O’s counsel filed a response

to our order agreeing De La O entered into a plea bargain with the State, the trial court imposed a

sentence in accordance with the agreement, and the signed certificate stated De La O had no right

of appeal. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d).

                                                     PER CURIAM

Do Not Publish

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