Opinion
No. 04-10-00024-CR
Delivered and Filed: February 17, 2010. DO NOT PUBLISH.
Original Proceeding. PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS DISMISSED FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION.
This proceeding arises out of Cause No. 2009-CR-10251A, styled State of Texas v. Geronimo Saenz, pending in the 144th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas, the Honorable Catherine Torres-Stahl presiding.
Sitting: SANDEE BRYAN MARION, Justice, PHYLIS J. SPEEDLIN, Justice, STEVEN C. HILBIG, Justice.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
On January 13, 2010, relator Geronimo Saenz filed an original petition for writ of habeas corpus in this court. However, as an intermediate court of appeals this court is not authorized to grant the relief requested. Pursuant to section 22.221(d) of the Texas Government Code, in civil matters, a court of appeals "may issue a writ of habeas corpus when it appears that the restraint of liberty is by virtue of an order, process, or commitment issued by a court or judge because of the violation of an order, judgment, or decree previously made, rendered, or entered by the court or judge in a civil case." TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d) (Vernon 2004). However, in criminal matters, a court of appeals has no original habeas corpus jurisdiction. Watson v. State, 96 S.W.3d 497, 500 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 2002, pet. ref'd); Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833, 835 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 1999, no pet.). In criminal matters, the courts authorized to issue writs of habeas corpus are the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the district courts, and the county courts. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 11.05 (Vernon 2005). Therefore, we dismiss this petition for writ of habeas for lack of jurisdiction.