Opinion
Nos. 74,727; 74,728; 74,729
Delivered: September 3, 2003. DO NOT PUBLISH.
On Application for Writs of Habeas Corpus from Dallas County.
OPINION
These are post-conviction applications for writs of habeas corpus forwarded to this Court pursuant to Article 11.07, § 3, et seq., V.A.C.C.P. In each Applicant contends he was denied his right to appeal. The trial court, after holding an evidentiary hearing, entered findings of fact and conclusions of law in which it was recommended that Applicant be granted an out-of-time appeal in each case. We agree with the recommendation. Article 26.04(a), V.A.C.C.P., requires that counsel appointed to represent the accused shall, "[R]epresent the defendant until charges are dismissed, the defendant is acquitted, appeals are exhausted, or the attorney is relieved of his duties or replaced by other counsel." The duty to perfect appeal attaches whether counsel is appointed or retained. See Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex.Crim.App. 1988). Knowing that Applicant wanted to appeal, counsel had the duty to timely file a motion for new trial or give notice of appeal unless he had been relieved of his duties by the trial court or replaced by other counsel. We find Applicant is entitled to relief. Habeas corpus relief is granted and Applicant is granted an out-of-time appeal from his conviction in cause numbers F96-48786-K, F96-48787-K, and F96-48788-K, all from the 204th District Court of Dallas County. The proper remedy in a case such as this is to return Applicant to the point at which he can give notice of appeal. For purposes of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, all time limits shall be calculated as if the conviction had been entered on the day that the mandate of this Court issues. We hold that Applicant, should he desire to prosecute appeals, must take affirmative steps to see that notice of appeal is given in each case within thirty days after the mandate of this Court has issued.