Opinion

Jones, Anthony Dwayne

Court
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
Filed
Mar 19, 2008
Status
Published
Cited by
0 cases
Authority
More cited than 38.2%

The opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-67,382-01

EX PARTE ANTHONY DWAYNE JONES, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. CR2001-019-1 IN THE 22 ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

FROM COMAL COUNTY

Per curiam.

O R D E R

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the

clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte

Young , 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant pleaded guilty to forgery, and

originally received deferred adjudication community supervision. His guilt was later adjudicated,

and he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

Applicant contends that he was denied adequate notice that he would be considered for

release on mandatory supervision by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles under the discretionary

mandatory-supervision statute, Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42.18, § 8(c). Specifically, Applicant

alleges that he was considered for, and denied release on a date prior to his projected release date.

See Ex parte Geiken , 28 S.W.3d 553, 560 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Ex parte Retzlaff , 135 S.W.3d

45, 47 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). Applicant also alleges that he has not received written notice of the

reasons for the decision to deny release. Greenholtz v. Inmates of Neb. Penal & Correctional

Complex , 442 U.S. 1, 16 (U.S. 1979).

The trial court originally recommended denying relief because Applicant has not submitted

his claim to the time credit resolution system of TDCJ. However, the exhaustion requirement for

time credit claims is not applicable in this case. Applicant's claim is not a time credit claim, but one

of denial of due process. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.

This Court remanded to the trial court to obtain findings of fact and supplemental information

addressing Applicant's claim. After remand, this Court received a copy of a judgment nunc pro

tunc granting credit for pre-sentencing jail time. However, additional facts are needed relevant to

Applicant's due process claim.

As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez , 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial

court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court shall order the Texas Department

of Criminal Justice's Office of General Counsel to file an affidavit stating when Applicant became

eligible for release to mandatory supervision, if and when he was informed that he was in the review

process, when he was reviewed for mandatory supervision, and when he was informed of the

decision to deny release. The affidavit shall also state whether Applicant was provided with written

notice of the reasons for the decision to deny release. The affidavit shall be accompanied by copies

of any notices sent to Applicant informing him that he was in the review process, notifying him of

his ability to submit materials on his own behalf, and/or notifying him of the Board's decision. The

trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d), in that it may also

order depositions, interrogatories or a hearing.

If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If

Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an

attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04.

The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether Applicant was afforded adequate

notice that he would be considered for release on mandatory supervision by the Texas Board of

Pardons and Paroles under the discretionary mandatory-supervision statute. Ex parte Retzlaff , 135

S.W.3d 45 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). The trial court shall also make findings as to whether Applicant

received written notice of the reasons for denying release to mandatory supervision, if in fact such

a decision was made. The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and conclusions of

law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claim for habeas corpus

relief.

This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues. The

issues shall be resolved within 30 days of this order. If any continuances are granted, a copy of the

order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. A supplemental transcript containing all

affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any hearing or

deposition, along with the trial court's supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall

be returned to this Court within 60 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall be

obtained from this Court.

Filed: March 19, 2008

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