Opinion
No. 04-20-00557-CR
12-30-2020
IN RE Christian L. GARRETT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Original Habeas Corpus Proceeding PER CURIAM Sitting: Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice Beth Watkins, Justice Liza A. Rodriguez, Justice PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS DISMISSED FOR WANT OF JURISDICTION
This proceeding arises out of Cause No. 2019CR7642, styled Garrett v. State, pending in the 175th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas, the Honorable Catherine Torres-Stahl presiding.
On November 18, 2020, relator filed a (1) motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and (2) a "notice of intent" to file a writ of habeas corpus for pretrial relief. We granted relator's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and ordered relator to file a writ of habeas corpus by December 14, 2020 should he decide to file one.
On December 11, 2020, relator filed a pro se writ of habeas corpus claiming he has been "unlawfully extradited, arrested and detained" since November 6, 2019 with "an unsigned indictment" for continuous sexual abuse of a child. Relator requests that we dismiss this case with prejudice.
Our original jurisdiction to issue a writ of habeas corpus is limited to cases in which a person's liberty is restrained because the person has violated an order, judgment, or decree entered in a civil case. TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d). We do not have original jurisdiction to issue a writ of habeas corpus in criminal matters. Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833, 835 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, no pet.). The only courts authorized to issue writs of habeas corpus in criminal matters are the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, district courts, and county courts. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 11.05.
Here, relator does not complain of an order, judgment, or decree entered in a civil case. We therefore dismiss relator's writ of habeas corpus for want of jurisdiction.
PER CURIAM Do Not Publish