Opinion
14-24-00155-CR 14-24-00156-CR
06-11-2024
RICKEY EARL HUBERT, Appellant v. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 179th District Court Harris County, Texas Trial Court Cause Nos. 1748428 & 1748429
Panel Consists of Justices Wise, Bourliot, and Wilson.
ABATEMENT ORDER
PER CURIAM.
Appellant is represented by retained counsel, Fitzgerald U. Eze, in the two above-numbered appeals. On April 22, 2024, time to file appellant's briefs expired without any brief and no motion for extension of time was filed. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.6(a). Counsel was notified on April 23, 2024, that no briefs had been received. Appellant's counsel was further ordered on May 9, 2024 to file briefs in both appeals. No response from appellant has been received.
Pursuant to Tex.R.App.P. 38.8(b) (a copy of which is attached) the judge of the 179th District Court shall (1) immediately conduct a hearing, at which appellant, appellant's counsel, and state's counsel shall participate, either in person or by video teleconference, to determine (a) whether appellant desires to prosecute his appeal; (b) whether appellant is indigent; (c) if not indigent, whether appellant has abandoned the appeal or whether appellant has failed to make necessary arrangements for filing briefs; (d) the reason for the failure to file briefs; (e) if appellant desires to continue the appeals, a date certain when appellant's briefs will be filed; and (2) prepare a record, in the form of a reporter's record, of the hearing. If appellant is indigent, the judge shall take such measures as may be necessary to assure effective representation of counsel, which may include the appointment of new counsel. The judge shall see that a record of the hearing is made, shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and shall order the trial clerk to forward a transcribed record of the hearing, a videotape or compact disc, if any, containing a recording of the video teleconference, and a supplemental clerk's record containing the findings and conclusions. Those records shall be filed with the clerk of this court on or before July 11, 2024.
The appeals are abated, treated as closed cases, and removed from this court's active docket. The appeals will be reinstated on this court's active docket when the trial court's findings and recommendations are filed in this court. The court will also consider an appropriate motion to reinstate the appeals filed by either party, or the court may reinstate the appeals on its own motion. It is the responsibility of any party seeking reinstatement to request a hearing date from the trial court and to schedule a hearing in compliance with this court's order. If the parties do not request a hearing, the court coordinator of the trial court shall set a hearing date and notify the parties of such date. If appellant's counsel files the briefs before the date set for the hearing, the appeals will be reinstated and the trial court need not hold a hearing.
Rule 38. REQUISITES OF BRIEFS
Tex. R. App. P. 38.8. Failure of Appellant to File Brief.
(b) Criminal Cases.
(1) Effect. An appellant's failure to timely file a brief does not authorize either dismissal of the appeal or, except as provided in (4), consideration of the appeal without briefs.
(2) Notice. If the appellant's brief is not timely filed, the appellate clerk must notify counsel for the parties and the trial court of that fact. If the appellate court does not receive a satisfactory response within ten days, the court must order the trial court to immediately conduct a hearing to determine whether the appellant desires to prosecute his appeal, whether the appellant is indigent, or, if not indigent, whether retained counsel has abandoned the appeal, and to make appropriate findings and recommendations.
(3) Hearing. In accordance with (2), the trial court must conduct any necessary hearings, make appropriate findings and recommendations, and have a record of the proceedings prepared, which record -- including any order and findings -- must be sent to the appellate court.
(4) Appellate Court Action. Based on the trial court's record, the appellate court may act appropriately to ensure that the appellant's rights are protected, including initiating contempt proceedings against appellant's counsel. If the trial court has found that the appellant no longer desires to prosecute the appeal, or that the appellant is not indigent but has not made the necessary arrangements for filing a brief, the appellate court may consider the appeal without briefs, as justice may require.