holding that appointed counsel has no duty to file petition for discretion review on behalf of appellant
How later courts described this case
- holding that appointed counsel has no duty to file petition for discretion review on behalf of appellant
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON
ORDER
Appellate case name: Rainbow Cannell aka Rainbow Conti v. The State of Texas
Appellate case number: 01-12-00334-CR
Trial court case number: 287854
Trial court: County Court at Law No 1 of Galveston County
Appellant’s counsel has filed a “Motion for Leave to Withdraw.” Because our opinion is
this appeal has issued, and appellant’s “appeals are exhausted,” counsel has fulfilled his duty to
represent appellant, and we dismiss the motion as moot.
We issued our opinion in this appeal on December 19, 2013, and denied appellant’s
motion for rehearing on March 10, 2014.
Once our opinion issues, appointed counsel has the duty to inform appellant “of the result
of the direct appeal and the availability of discretionary review.” Ex parte Wilson, 956 S.W.2d
25, 27 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). “But, because there is no right to counsel on discretionary
review, the duty of counsel ends there.” Id.; see TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. arts. 1.051(d)(2),
26.04(j)(2) (West Supp. 2013) (providing right to appointed counsel for eligible indigent
defendant in Court of Criminal Appeals if appeal is directly from trial court or petition for
discretionary review has been granted; requiring appointed counsel to represent defendant until
“appeals are exhausted”); Ayala v. State, 633 S.W.2d 526, 528 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) (holding
that appointed counsel has no duty to file petition for discretion review on behalf of appellant).
Therefore, although counsel may have a duty to inform appellant, if he has not already done so,
of our decision and that appellant has the right to file a petition for discretionary review, counsel
has fulfilled his duty to represent appellant in court proceedings.
Accordingly, counsel’s motion is DISMISSED as moot.
Judge’s signature: /s/ Harvey Brown
Acting individually Acting for the Court
Date: May 1, 2014