Opinion
No. 07-04-0223-CV.
May 6, 2004.
Panel D: Before QUINN and REAVIS and CAMPBELL, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
By this original proceeding, relator Kim Wayne Burden, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, seeks a writ of mandamus against the Honorable Abe Lopez, Judge of the 108th District Court of Potter County, and Caroline Woodburn, District Clerk of Potter County. Specifically, he requests that respondents be compelled to file a response and that we find Judge Lopez abused his discretion in dismissing his suit pursuant to chapter 14 of the Texas Civil and Practice Remedies Code. He also challenges the constitutionality of chapter 14 and seeks to compel Judge Lopez to adhere to the Code of Judicial Conduct. We deny the petition.
Relator filed suit against the chairperson of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice alleging breach of contract and due process violations. According to the allegations in his petition for writ of mandamus, his suit was dismissed pursuant to chapter 14 of the Code on February 5, 2004. He further asserts that on February 11 he received notice from the Potter County District Clerk of the disposition of his case and on February 20 received a copy of the trial court's order of dismissal. However, the order complained of is not included in this record as required by Rule 52.3(j)(1)(A) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. No mention is made by relator that he filed a normal appeal from the dismissal order.
Relator explains that he initially filed this proceeding in a different court by mistake and that necessary documents were not returned to him.
A court of appeals has the authority to issue writs of mandamus against a judge of a district or county court in the court of appeals' district and all writs necessary to enforce its jurisdiction. Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 22.221(b) (Vernon Supp. 2004). In order for a district clerk to fall within our jurisdictional reach, it must be established that the issuance of the writ of mandamus is necessary to enforce our jurisdiction. In re Jose A. Coronado, 980 S.W.2d 691, 692-93 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1998, no pet.). Relator has not demonstrated that the exercise of our mandamus authority against the Potter County District Clerk is appropriate to enforce our jurisdiction Consequently, we have no authority to issue a writ of mandamus against her.
Mandamus will not issue where there is a clear and adequate remedy at law such as a normal appeal. State v. Walker, 679 S.W.2d 484, 485 (Tex. 1984). Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy available only in limited circumstances and will issue only in situations involving manifest and urgent necessity and not for grievances that may be addressed by other remedies. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 840 (Tex. 1992). It is a fundamental tenet of mandamus practice that the party seeking mandamus relief establish the lack of an adequate appellate remedy. Holloway v. Fifth Court of Appeals, 767 S.W.2d 680, 684 (Tex. 1989).
Relator's complaint that the trial court abused its discretion in dismissing his suit pursuant to chapter 14 of the Code could have been challenged by direct appeal. According to the dates provided by relator in his petition, he had until March 8, 2004, to file a notice of appeal challenging the trial court's dismissal order. Relator's failure to file a direct appeal from the dismissal order does not demonstrate the lack of an adequate remedy at law so as to entitle him to mandamus relief.
Thirty days from February 5, 2004, fell on Saturday, March 6. Thus, pursuant to Rule 4.1(a) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, relator had until Monday, March 8 to perfect his appeal.
Accordingly, the petition for writ of mandamus is denied.