Opinion
No. 04-03-00118-CV
Delivered and Filed: May 7, 2003
Appeal From the 189th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas, Trial Court No. 2000-54913, Honorable Putnam K. Reiter, Judge Presiding.
DISMISSED.
Sitting: Alma L. LOPEZ, Chief Justice, Catherine STONE, Justice, Phylis J. SPEEDLIN, Justice.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, Geoffrey Anderson, filed a pro se notice of appeal on December 13, 2002. On March 25, 2003, after receiving notice from the trial court clerk that appellant was not entitled to appeal without paying the clerk's fee for preparing the record, we ordered appellant to provide written proof to this court by April 14, 2003, that an affidavit of indigence in compliance with Rule 20.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure had been properly filed in the trial court. Alternatively, we ordered that if an affidavit of indigence was not properly filed, appellant was to provide written proof that the clerk's fee had been paid or arrangements had been made to pay the clerk's fee.
On April 14, 2003, appellant filed a "Notice of Appeal" and "Petition for Writ of Mandamus" addressed to the Supreme Court of Texas. Reading these pleadings liberally, we understand that appellant claims he is indigent and seeks relief from having to pay the clerk's record fee. An affidavit of indigence sworn to on April 4, 2003, is attached to appellant's "Petition for Writ of Mandamus." We construe appellant's petition for writ of mandamus as a motion for reconsideration of our prior order.
The Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure provide that a party may proceed on appeal without advance payment of appellate costs if the party files an affidavit of indigence in compliance with Rule 20.1. See Tex. R App. P. 20.1(a). In a regular appeal, Rule 20.1(c)(1) requires the appellant to file an affidavit of indigence with or before the notice of appeal.
As noted, appellant's affidavit of indigence was sworn to on April 4, 2003. There is nothing on the affidavit to reflect that it was filed either with or before his notice of appeal was filed on December 13, 2002. Therefore, appellant's affidavit was not properly filed and appellant is responsible for paying for clerk's record fee. Appellant has not provided this court with written proof that he has paid the clerk's fee or made arrangements to pay the clerk's fee. Therefore, we dismiss this appeal for want of prosecution. See Tex.R.App.P. 37.3(b). Costs of appeal, if any, are taxed against appellant, Geoffrey Hall Anderson.