Opinion
NO. 03-17-00287-CV
05-05-2017
In re Delfino Gonzalez
ORIGINAL PROCEEDING FROM COMAL COUNTY
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Relator Delfino Gonzalez filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in this Court. See Tex. Gov't Code § 22.221; see also Tex. R. App. P. 52. In the petition, relator, who indicates he is confined on a pending charge of possession of a controlled substance, seeks release because of asserted delay pursuant to Article 17.151 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.151.
The courts of appeals have no original habeas corpus jurisdiction in criminal matters; our jurisdiction in criminal matters is appellate only. See Tex. Gov't Code § 22.221(d); In re Ayers, — S.W.3d —, No. 14-16-00274-CR, 2016 WL 1533747, at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 14, 2016, orig. proceeding); Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833, 835 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, no pet.); Ex Parte Denby, 627 S.W.2d 435 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, orig. proceeding). Original jurisdiction to grant a writ of habeas corpus in a criminal case is vested in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the district courts, the county courts, or a judge of those courts. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.05; In re Ayers, 2016 WL 1533747 at *1; Ex Parte Hawkins, 885 S.W.2d 586, 588 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1994, orig. proceeding). Therefore, this Court is without jurisdiction to consider relator's petition requesting habeas corpus relief.
Accordingly, we dismiss relator's petition for lack of jurisdiction.
/s/_________
Melissa Goodwin, Justice Before Justices Puryear, Pemberton, and Goodwin Filed: May 5, 2017