Court Opinion

ID: 3961522
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 10:21:44.769769+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:43:46.209447
License: Public Domain

The record before us discloses that appellant was tried and convicted in the Justice Court of Upshur County upon a complaint charging him in due form with the offense of abusive language. From this judgment he prosecuted an appeal to the County Court where, on a trial de novo, he was again convicted and his punishment was assessed at a fine of $75.00 in addition to the costs of the prosecution. A commitment was issued by the Clerk of said court and placed in the hands of the sheriff of said county who, under and by virtue of said commitment, took appellant into custody and placed him in jail. He then applied to the Honorable Otis T. Dunagan, Judge of the District Court in and for said county, for a writ of habeas corpus. The writ was issued as prayed for. The sheriff attached to his responsive plea a copy of the commitment under and by virtue of which he restrained appellant of his liberty. Upon the hearing of the writ, appellant was remanded to the custody of the sheriff, and from this order he seeks to appeal to this court, bringing into review matters of procedure occurring in the trial court.
Since the fine imposed upon him in the County Court was less than $100.00, this court would not have jurisdiction of the case in the event he sought to appeal direct from the judgment of the County Court. It is quite obvious that he is attempting, by means of a writ of habeas corpus, to have his case reviewed by this court, thereby substituting the writ of habeas corpus for the remedy of an appeal. It has long been the holding of this court that the writ of habeas corpus cannot be resorted to *Page 392 
in lieu of, or as a substitute for an appeal. In 21 Tex. Jur. p. 427, the rule is stated as follows:
"It is settled also that the use of the writ will not be permitted as a substitute for appeal, error or certiorari."
See also Ex parte Bonds, 185 S.W.2d 984; Ex parte McCuistian, 131 Tex.Crim. R.; Ex parte Clinnard,  169 S.W.2d 181; Ex parte Minor, 172 S.W.2d 347; Ex parte Largent, 144 Tex.Crim. R., and cases cited.
Therefore, the judgment of the trial court remanding relator to the custody of the sheriff until such time as the judgment of conviction shall have been fully satisfied is in all things affirmed.
The foregoing opinion of the Commission of Appeals has been examined by the Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals and approved by the Court.
                    ON MOTION FOR REHEARING.