Summary
stating that appeal is an adequate remedy for trial court's refusal to rule on a motion for new trial or the overruling of such a motion by operation of law
Summary of this case from In re JoseyOpinion
No. 12-03-00113-CV.
Opinion delivered April 16, 2003.
Original Proceeding.
Bascom W. Bentley, Rusk, pro se.
William Espinoza Pena, pro se.
Panel consisted of WORTHEN, C.J. and GRIFFITH, J.
OPINION
Relator William Espinoza Pena ("Relator") seeks a writ of mandamus directing the 369th District Court of Anderson County, Texas to rule on Relator's "Objections to Court Order of Dismissal of February 20, 2003 and Motion for Reconsideration/New Trial and Evidentiary Hearing in the Interest of Justice" ("motion for new trial") filed on March 13, 2003. On February 20, 2003, the trial court dismissed Relator's lawsuit against various defendants associated with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division. The lawsuit was dismissed as frivolous pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and the trial court has taken no action on Relator's motion for new trial.
A writ of mandamus will only be issued "to correct a clear abuse of discretion or [a] violation of a duty imposed by law where there is no other remedy by law." Johnson v. Fourth Court of Appeals , 700 S.W.2d 916, 917 (Tex. 1985). A party seeking mandamus relief must generally bring forward all that is necessary to establish the claim for relief. See Tex.R.App.P. 52. This includes providing an adequate record to substantiate the allegations contained in the petition for mandamus. Walker v. Packer , 827 S.W.2d 833, 837 (Tex. 1992). Without a sufficient record, a party seeking mandamus relief has not proved any entitlement to the writ. Id .
While Relator has alleged that the trial court will not make a ruling on his motion for new trial, he has failed to provide this court with the documents and other information required by Rule 52. Without an adequate record, we cannot make a determination of whether the trial court has violated any legal duty or abused its discretion. Furthermore, as previously stated, mandamus will not issue where there is "a clear and adequate remedy at law, such as a normal appeal." Walker , 827 S.W.2d at 840. In the event a motion for new trial is not determined by a written order signed within seventy-five days after the judgment was signed, it will be considered overruled by operation of law upon the expiration of that period. Tex.R.Civ.P. 329b(c). Relator has failed to make any showing that a regular appeal from the overruling of his motion for new trial by operation of law is not an adequate remedy. Accordingly, the writ of mandamus is denied .