Opinion
No. 01-03-00164-CV.
Opinion issued March 6, 2003.
Original Proceeding on Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
Panel consists of Justices HEDGES, JENNINGS, and ALCALA.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Relator, Jeremy Foremny, filed a petition for writ of mandamus complaining that respondent has not ruled on his pro se pretrial motion for speedy trial in cause number 819586. We deny relief.
Respondent is the Honorable Mike Wilkinson, Judge, 179th District Court, Harris County.
"Mandamus will not issue where there is a clear and adequate remedy at law, such as a normal appeal." Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 840 (Tex. 1992). The question of whether a defendant's right to a speedy trial was violated is directly appealable after conviction. See Zamorano v. State, 84 S.W.3d 643 (Tex.Crim.App. 2002) (conviction reversed on speedy trial grounds). In Smith v. Gohmert, 962 S.W.2d 590, 592-93 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998), the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied mandamus relief, holding that the relator had an adequate remedy at law on his speedy trial claims.
Accordingly, we hold that because relator may raise the issue of whether his right to a speedy trial was violated in a direct appeal of any conviction in cause number 819586, he is ineligible for mandamus relief. The petition is therefore denied.