Opinion
12-22-00191-CR 12-22-00192-CR
01-25-2023
MASON BRADLEE BELK, APPELLANT v. THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE
APPEALED FROM 273RD DISTRICT COURT IN AND FOR SABINE COUNTY, TEXAS
ORDER
JAMES T. WORTHEN, CHIEF JUSTICE
Appellant is represented by Mr. W. Stephen Shires, appointed counsel. On December 28, 2022, the time to file appellant's brief expired without a brief or a motion for extension of time. Tex.R.App.P. 38.6(a). Pursuant to Tex.R.App.P. 38.8(b), counsel was notified on January 9, 2023, that his brief was past due and was given until January 19, 2023, to file a brief or otherwise explain the delay. No satisfactory response has been received.
Pursuant to Tex.R.App.P. 38.8(b)(3), it is ORDERED that Honorable James (Jim) A. Payne Jr., Judge of the 273rd District Court of Sabine County, Texas, shall immediately conduct a hearing to determine (1) whether the appellant still desires to prosecute his appeal; (2) whether the appellant is indigent and either needs counsel appointed, or appellant's counsel has abandoned the appeal; or (3) if the appellant is not indigent, whether a brief has not been completed because retained counsel has either abandoned the appeal or because appellant has failed to make necessary arrangements for filing a brief; and (4) when appellant's counsel anticipates that the appellant's brief, if a brief is to be filed, will be completed.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that the judge shall (1) make appropriate findings as to the above set forth issues and (2) cause a record of the proceedings to be prepared.
It is ADDITIONALLY ORDERED that once findings are made as to the above set forth issues, if appellant is indigent, the judge shall (1) take such measures as may be necessary to assure appellant's effective representation, which may include the appointment of new counsel and (2) make recommendations to this Court regarding a proper filing date for the appellant's brief
It is FINALLY ORDERED that the supplemental clerk's record (including any orders and findings) and the reporter's record of said hearing be filed with the Clerk of this Court on or before Friday, February 24, 2023
WITNESS the Honorable James T. Worthen, Chief Justice, Court of Appeals, 12th Court of Appeals District, Tyler, Texas.