Opinion
No. AP-75,179
Delivered: May 18, 2005. DO NOT PUBLISH.
On Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus from Angelina County.
OPINION
This is a post-conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus forwarded to this Court pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3, et seq. Applicant was convicted of the felony offense of burglary of a habitation, and punishment was assessed at twenty-five years' confinement. No direct appeal was taken. Applicant contends, inter alia, that he was denied his right to appeal because his retained appellate counsel did not file a notice of appeal. The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law finding that applicant never retained appellate counsel, and recommending that applicant be denied an out-of-time appeal. We disagree. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04 (j) (2), requires appointed counsel to "represent 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 an appeal attaches whether counsel is appointed or retained. See Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex.Crim.App. 1988). Applicant believed that he had retained appellate counsel, and counsel accepted money in exchange for the filing of a motion for a new trial. Knowing that applicant wanted to appeal, counsel had the duty to give timely notice of appeal, unless relieved by the trial court or replaced by other counsel. Habeas corpus relief is granted and applicant is granted an out-of-time appeal from his conviction in cause number CR-23361-A from the 159th District Court of Angelina 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 an appeal, must take affirmative steps to see that notice of appeal is given within thirty days after the mandate of this Court has issued.