Opinion
No. 04-16-00603-CR
05-15-2017
Belinda CISNEROS, Appellant v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee
From the 79th Judicial District Court, Brooks County, Texas
Trial Court No. 15-06-11022-CR
Honorable Richard C. Terrell, Judge Presiding
ORDER
Appellant's court-appointed attorney has filed a brief and motion to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), in which counsel asserts there are no meritorious issues to raise on appeal. Counsel sent copies of the brief and motion to withdraw to appellant and explained appellant's rights to review the record, file a pro se brief, and file a pro se petition for discretionary review if this court determines the appeal is frivolous. See Kelly v. State, 436 S.W.3d 313 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). In addition, counsel's letter advised appellant to immediately file a motion in this court to review the appellate record, and counsel enclosed a form motion for this purpose. See id. If appellant desires to file a pro se brief, we order that appellant do so on or before June 14, 2017. If appellant files a timely pro se brief, the State may file a responsive brief no later than thirty days after appellant's pro se brief is filed in this court. Alternatively, if appellant does not file a timely pro se brief, the State may file a brief in response to counsel's brief no later than July 14, 2017.
We further order the motion to withdraw filed by appellant's counsel is held in abeyance pending further order of the court. See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80-82, 109 S. Ct. 346, 102 L. Ed.2d 300 (1988) (holding that a motion to withdraw should not be ruled on before appellate court independently reviews the record to determine whether counsel's evaluation that the appeal is frivolous is sound); Schulman v. State, 252 S.W.3d 403, 410-11 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (same); see also Kelly, 436 S.W.3d at 319 (appointed counsel's duties of representation do not cease when he files a motion to withdraw; counsel must continue to "act with competence, commitment and dedication to the interest of the client" until the court of appeals grants the motion). Accordingly, no new attorney will be appointed for appellant at this time.
We further order the clerk of this court to serve a copy of this order on appellant, appellant's counsel, the attorney for the State, and the clerk of the trial court.
/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 15th day of May, 2017.
/s/_________
Keith E. Hottle
Clerk of Court