Opinion
WR-82,822-04
03-01-2023
IN RE WILLIE LEWIS MCDOWELL, Relator
Do not publish
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS CAUSE NOS. 1373329010103, 14396640101A, and 143966401010 IN THE 182ND DISTRICT COURT FROM HARRIS COUNTY
ORDER
PER CURIAM
Relator has filed a motion for leave to file an application for writ of mandamus alleging that he has been trying to obtain copies of his files from his attorney, to no avail. This Court has consistently held that a client owns the contents of his or her file. In re McCann, 422 S.W.3d 701, 705 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). Relator alleges that he filed a motion to compel his attorney to forward him a copy of his client file relating to cause numbers 1373329010103, 14396640101A, and 143966401010, but that the trial court has not ruled on that motion. A trial court has a ministerial duty to rule upon a motion that is properly and timely presented to it for a ruling. State ex rel. Young v. Sixth Judicial District Court of Appeals, 236 S.W.3d 207, 210 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Simon v. Levario, 306 S.W.3d 318, 320 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
Respondent, the Judge of the 182nd District Court of Harris County, shall file a response with this Court stating whether or not Relator's motion has properly and timely been presented to it; if so, whether it has been ruled on; and whether or not Relator's trial attorney has provided Relator with copies of his client files. Respondent's answer shall be submitted within 30 days of the date of this order. These applications for leave to file writs of mandamus will be held in abeyance until Respondent has submitted the appropriate response.