Opinion
No. 04-18-00352-CR
07-03-2018
Joseph Paul PHILLIPS, Appellant v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee
From the 186th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2018CR4980W
Honorable Jefferson Moore, Judge Presiding
ORDER
Joseph Paul Phillips entered into a plea bargain with the State, pursuant to which he and pled guilty to a state jail felony. The written plea bargain contains a separate "Waiver of Appeal" that states:
I understand that upon my plea of guilty or nolo contendere, where the punishment does not exceed that recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to by me, my right to appeal will be limited to only: (1) those matters that were raised by written motion filed and ruled on before trial, or (2) other matters on which the trial court gives me permission to appeal. I understand that I have this limited right to appeal. However, as part of my plea bargain agreement in this case, I knowingly and voluntarily waive my right to appeal under (1) and (2) in exchange for the prosecutor's recommendation, provided that the punishment assessed by the court does not exceed our agreement.The trial court imposed sentence in accordance with the agreement and signed a certificate stating this "is a plea-bargain case, and the defendant has NO right of appeal" and "the defendant has waived the right of appeal." See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2). The clerk's record, which includes the trial court's rule 25.2(a)(2) certification and the written plea bargain agreement, has been filed. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d). This court must dismiss an appeal "if a certification that shows the defendant has the right of appeal has not been made part of the record." Id.
The clerk's record establishes the punishment assessed by the court does not exceed the punishment recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to by the defendant. Ordinarily, "[i]n a plea bargain case ... a defendant may appeal only: (A) those matters that were raised by written motion filed and ruled on before trial, or (B) after getting the trial court's permission to appeal." TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2). However, when a defendant waives this limited right to appeal, the defendant may appeal only if the trial court later gives its express permission. See Willis v. State, 121 S.W.3d 400, 403 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Monreal v. State, 99 S.W.3d 615, 622 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). The judgment indicates the trial court denied permission to appeal. The trial court's certification therefore appears to accurately reflect that this is a plea bargain case, Phillips does not have a right to appeal, and he waived any limited right to appeal. See Dears v. State, 154 S.W.3d 610 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (holding that court of appeals should review clerk's record to determine whether trial court's certification is accurate).
Phillips is hereby given notice that this appeal will be dismissed pursuant to rule 25.2(d) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure unless the trial court's written permission to appeal and an amended certification showing that Phillips has the right to appeal is made part of the appellate record by July 23, 2018. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d); Daniels v. State, 110 S.W.3d 174 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003, order), disp. on merits, No. 04-03-00176-CR, 2003 WL 21508347 (July 2, 2003, pet. ref'd) (not designated for publication).
We order all appellate deadlines suspended until further order of the court. We further order the clerk of this court to serve copies of this order on the attorneys of record and the court reporter.
/s/_________
Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 3rd day of July, 2018.
/s/_________
KEITH E. HOTTLE,
Clerk of Court