Court Opinion

ID: 4529291
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-04-28 12:15:43.24503+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:20:45.051022
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS
                         EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                              EL PASO, TEXAS
                                     §
  JULIO C. CARDENAS,                              No. 08-20-00053-CR
                                     §
                 Appellant,                         Appeal from the
                                     §
  v.                                               109th District Court
                                     §
  THE STATE OF TEXAS,                          of Andrews County, Texas
                                     §
                  State.                              (TC# 6813)
                                     §

                                            ORDER

        Court reporter Diane Pattillo has informed this Court that the original version of State’s
Exhibit 3 is missing and has inquired if a copy of the exhibit in possession of Tim Mason may be
substituted in for the original exhibit. Under the circumstances, we have determined a hearing is
required to see if all parties will stipulate to substituting the original exhibit by consent and, if
not, for findings under Tex.R.App.P. 34.6(f). In acting on a motion/objection this type, this Court
typically abates appellate proceedings and refers the matter to the trial court for a hearing so that
a record can be made on which the Court can base a decision. However, local social distancing
orders and other directives related to the ongoing COVID-19 situation require this Court to
balance its need to continue operations and administer justice with the need to ensure litigants,
attorneys, judges, staff, and members of the public remain safe and comply with all applicable
laws, orders, and directives.

       Pursuant to the Joint Third Emergency Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster,
Misc. Docket No. 20-9044 (Tex. Mar. 19, 2020), non-essential proceedings may not be held in-
person contrary to local shelter-in-place orders through May 8, 2020. However, the Office of
Court Administration's latest Coronavirus Operation Guidance issued on April 17, 2020,
suggests that all courts should delay all in-person proceedings of any size until June 1, 2020.

       In light of the Joint Third Emergency Order, the OCA guidelines, and our own
assessment of the current risk presented to all parties and entities, we will abate proceedings in
this Court and refer this matter for a videoconference hearing (NOT an in-person hearing) in

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the trial court. The following procedure is established:

   •   The trial court is directed to hold a videoconference hearing on this matter, if feasible, by
       May 19, 2020. The court reporter is directed to forward a copy of the transcript of this
       hearing to this Court by Mary 29, 2020.

   •   If it is not feasible for the trial court to hold a videoconferencing hearing on this matter
       by May 19, 2020, the trial court is directed to file a statement with this Court explaining
       the circumstances preventing the videoconference hearing from occurring. Prompt
       communication with the Court regarding logistical issues via eFile and email will be
       greatly appreciated.

       -   The trial court’s statement may also include requests for reasonable accommodations,
           including but not limited to requests for an alternate hearing deadline, requests to
           excuse informalities in the record, requests to send original recordings of video
           proceedings in lieu of a reporter’s record in the event a court reporter is unavailable,
           etc. This Court will entertain reasonable accommodation requests and will work with
           the trial court in resolving logistical issues.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 24th day of April, 2020.

                                              PER CURIAM

Before Alley, C.J., Rodriguez and Palafox, JJ.

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