Summary
holding that a state-jail felony sentence enhanced under regular felony enhancement provisions was prohibited by law and exceeded the statutory maximum
Summary of this case from Rodriguez v. StateOpinion
No. 72350.
May 8, 1996.
Appeal from 238th District Court, Midland County, John G. Hyde, J.
Robert Thomas Miller, Henderson, Pro Se.
Wayne Frost, Midland, Robert A. Huttash, State's Atty., Austin, for State.
OPINION
This is a post-conviction application for writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to Article 11.07, V.A.C.C.P. Applicant was indicted for possession of cocaine of less than one gram, a state jail felony offense pursuant to V.T.C.A. Health Safety Code, § 481.115(b), alleged to have been committed on September 30, 1994 in Midland County. On June 15, 1995, in a non-jury trial pursuant to a negotiated plea bargain agreement, applicant pled guilty to the charged offense, and true to the enhancement paragraphs. Punishment was assessed by the trial judge at twenty-five years imprisonment. No appeal was taken from this conviction.
Applicant contends, inter alia, that the punishment assessed exceeds the statutory maximum. "We have long held that a defect which renders a sentence void may be raised at any time." Heath v. State, 817 S.W.2d 335, 336 (Tex.Cr.App. 1991). See also Ex parte McIver, 586 S.W.2d 851, 854 (Tex.Cr.App. 1979) (Habeas corpus relief will issue to a person in custody under a sentence which is void because the punishment is unauthorized), Ex parte Harris, 495 S.W.2d 231, 232 (Tex.Cr.App. 1973) and Ex parte White, 659 S.W.2d 434, 435 (Tex.Cr.App. 1983). Applicant was convicted of a state jail felony, then enhanced as an habitual offender under V.T.C.A. Penal Code § 12.42(d).
At the time that Applicant committed the offense, Texas law provided that a state jail felony could not be enhanced under s 12.42(d). State v. Mancuso, 919 S.W.2d 86 (Tex.Cr.App. 1996). Therefore, Applicant's sentence of 25 years exceeds the statutory maximum and is unlawful.
Relief is granted. The judgment in cause number CRB-21,531 in the 238th District Court of Midland County is set aside and Applicant is remanded to the trial court to answer to the indictment.
Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional and Pardons and Paroles Divisions.