Opinion
Nos. 01-03-00367-CV 01-03-00413-CV 01-03-00414-CV 01-03-00415-CV.
Opinion issued May 8, 2003.
Original Proceeding on Petitions for Writs of Prohibition and Quo Warranto and for a Declaratory Judgment.
Panel consists of Justices HEDGES, JENNINGS, and ALCALA.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Relator Richard A. Mosby has filed — on his on behalf and "for others similarly situated" — petitions for (1) writs of prohibition (cause number 01-03-00367-CV), (2) writs of quo warranto (cause numbers 01-03-00413-CV and 01-03-00414-CV), and (3) a declaratory judgment (cause number 01-03-00415-CV). Mosby has also filed motions for leave to file each of these petitions.
Mosby lists the following persons in his certificate of service: (1) Hon. Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General; (2) Chris Adams, Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (3) Administrator, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (4) Administrator, United States Food and Drug Administration; (5) A.H. Belo Corp.; (6) All members of the American Bar Association; (7) All members of the State Bar of Texas; (8) Houston Police Officer Alsbrooks; (9) Tony Alvarado, executive director, State Bar of Texas; (10) American Bar Association; (11) American Broadcasting Corporation [ABC, Inc.]; (12) American Medical Association; (13) Amica Mutual Insurance Company; (14) Hon. Lee S. Anderson, M.D., president, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (15) Hon. John Ashcroft, United States Attorney General; (16) Ford Atkinson, Channel 26 KRIV-TV; (17) Charles R. Babcock, Jackson Walker LLP; (18) Hon. James A. Baker, former justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (19) Houston Police Officer Ballard; (20) Bill Balleza, Channel 2 KPRC-TV; (21) Bastrop County Clerk; (22) Baylor College of Medicine; (23) Earl C. Bean, United States Internal Revenue Service; (24) Angela Beavers; (25) Ronald M. Beberniss, M.D.; (26) Bell County Clerk; (27) Jim Bell; (28) Hon. Jose M. Benevides, M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (29) Alan Bergeron; (30) Hon. Paul Bettencourt, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector; (31) Johnny Binder; (32) Hon. Patricia S. Blackwell, member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (33) Hon. Jew Don Boney, former mayor pro tem, City of Houston; (34) Hon. C.O. Bradford, chief, Houston Police Department; (35) Houston Police Officer J.L. Breshears; (36) Hon. Lee P. Brown, mayor, City of Houston; (37) Hon. Susan Brown, judge, 185th District Court, Harris County; (38) Tommy L. Broyles, administrative law judge, State Office of Administrative Hearings; (39) Mary Burgamy; (40) Hon. George W. Bush, individually and as President of the United States and as former governor of the State of Texas; (41) Cage, Hill Niehaus, L.L.P.; (42) Kathleen Capriotti, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (43) Cedrick Donnell Scott, Jackson Walker LLP; (44) Hon. Peter Chang, M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (45) Chief Appraiser, Tax Appraisal District of Bell County; (46) Shern-Min Chow, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (47) Channel 2 KPRC-TV; (48) Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (49) Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (50) Channel 26 KRIV-TV; (51) Channel 39 KHWB-TV; (52) Hon. Tracy Christopher, judge, 295th District Court, Harris County; (53) The City of Houston; (54) Leticia Z. Clark; (55) Casey Cochram, M.D.; (56) Casey Cochran, D.O.; (57) Robert Cockerill; (58) Columbia Broadcasting System [CBS, Inc.]; (59) Commission on Judicial Conduct; (60) Houston Police Officer Cortez; (61) Hon. John Cornyn, former attorney general, State of Texas; (62) Maurice Cournoyer; (63) Houston Police Officer Dees; (64) J.D. Doyle; (65) Special Agent Elizabeth Dubois-Marshall, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (66) Mike Dunstan, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (67) John K. Edwards, Jackson Walker LLP; (68) Elgin Bank of Texas; (69) Jerry N. Ellis, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (70) Hon. Mark Ellis, judge, 351st District Court, Harris County; (71) Hon. Craig T. Enoch, justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (72) Tanya Eriksson, Houston Independent School District Tax Assessor/Collector; (73) The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners; (74) Linda Fahr; (75) Lisa Faronda, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (76) Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.; (77) Trooper Ron Field, Texas Department of Public Safety; (78) Ron Fields; (79) First Bank of Texas; (80) 1st Community Credit Union; (81) Fleetwood Claims Services, Inc.; (82) Thomas J. Forestier; (83) Lisa Foronda, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (84) Kevin Foy; (85) Fox Television Stations; (86) Gary Freeman, M.D.; (87) Scott Freshour; (88) Frost National Bank; (89) Shara Fryer, Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (90) Houston Police Officer M. Garrett; (91) David F. Garza, D.O.; (92) Charles E. George, M.D.; (93) Hon. Vanessa Gilmore, judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; (94) James L. Goettee; (95) Dora Gonzales; (96) Dora Gonzalez; (97) Grand Jury, 339th District Court, Harris County; (98) Gerome Gray, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (99) Houston Police Officer Green; (100) Hon. Anthony Hall, city attorney, City of Houston; (101) Houston Police Officer J.P. Hall; (102) Hon. Deborah G. Hankinson, former justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (103) Houston Police Officer Harding; (104) James M. Harrell; (105) Harris County; (106) Harris County Clerk; (107) Harris County Commissioners Court; (108) Harris County courts; (109) Harris County District Attorney's Office; (110) Harris County Medical Society; (111) Harris County Sheriff's Department; (112) Davis Hayes, USAA; (113) Haynes and Boone, L.L.P.; (114) Hon. Hearn, visiting judge, 351st District Court, Harris County; (115) Hon. Nathan L. Hecht, justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (116) Hon. Edward S. Hicks, Sr., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (117) Joseph M. Hill; (118) Robert E. [A.] Hirshon, former president, American Bar Association; (119) Trooper Dave Holden, Texas Department of Public Safety; (120) Houston Police Officer Hollier; (121) Donald K. Hollingsworth; (122) Houston Independent School District Tax Office; (123) Houston Police Officer Hughson; (124) Humphrey, Houston Police Department; (125) Greg Hurst, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (126) Marsha Ikner, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (127) Sonya K. Jackson, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (128) Jefferson County Clerk; (129) Houston Police Officer Sheryl Jefferson; (130) Hon. Wallace Jefferson, justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (131) Calvin Johnson, Houston Police Department; (132) Hon. Miriam K. Johnson, Jefferson County Tax Assessor-Collector; (133) Jury in State v. Approximately $3,740.00, No. 200131069 (295th Dist. Ct., Harris County, Tex.); (134) Jury in State v. Approximately $7,144.00, No. 200145895 (334th Dist. Ct., Harris County, Tex.); (135) Jury in State v. Mosby, No. 878015 (351st Dist. Ct., Harris County, Tex.); (136) Jury in State v. Mosby, No. 884754 (351st Dist. Ct., Harris County, Tex.); (137) Bonnie Kaderka; (138) Hon. Roberts M. Kalafu, D.O., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (139) Brendan Keefe, Channel 2 KPRC-TV; (140) Hon. Thomas S. Kirksey, M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (141) Tom Koch, Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (142) John Kowal; (143) Hon. Sim Lake, judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; (144) Houston Police Officer E.M. Landa; (145) The Law Firm of John Somyak; (146) Houston Police Officer Gary Leslie; (147) Locke Liddel Sapp LLP; (148) Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, Pena, L.L.P.; (149) L. Renee Lowe; (150) Khambrel Marshall, Channel 2 KPRC-TV; (151) Hon. Tony Martinez, Yavapai County Assessor, Arizona; (152) Special Agent Doug Mason, United States Food and Drug Administration; (153) Jay A. McKendree; (154) Jeff McShan, Channel 11 KHOU-TV; (155) Houston Police Officer Mihalco; (156) Hon. Eddie J. Miles, Jr., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (157) R. Mireles, Houston Police Department; (158) Houston Police Officer Montelongo; (159) Diana Moon, USAA; (160) Karen Morris; (161) Kevin Mullin, assistant attorney general, Office of the Attorney General; (162) The National Medical Association; (163) Houston Police Officer Norwood; (164) Houston Police Officer Oelson; (165) Office of the Attorney General; (166) Hon. Harriet O'Neill, justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (167) Hon. Paul O'Neill, former United States Secretary of the Treasury; (168) Houston Police Officer D.B. Osterberg; (169) Houston Police Officer Overby; (170) Connie Overton; (171) Hon. Priscilla R. Owen, justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (172) Dr. Robert Louis Panzarella; (173) Houston Police Officer Parker; (174) Hon. Elvira Pascua-Lim, M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (175) Hon. John W. Pate, Jr., M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (176) Donald Patrick, executive director Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (177) Wayne Patrick, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (178) Houston Police Officer Perales; (179) Hon. Rick Perry, governor, State of Texas; (180) Hon. Thomas R. Phillips, chief justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (181) Physicians' Contract Services; (182) Jon Porter; (183) Post-Newsweek [The Washington Post Company]; (184) Houston Police Officer Powell; (185) Hon. Larry Price, D.O., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (186) Pro Med Care Center; (187) Houston Police Officer Pudifin; (188) Hon. P.K. Reiter, visiting judge, 295th and 334th District Courts, Harris County; (189) Reliant Energy; (190) Susan Richards, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (191) Hon. Joyce A. Roberts, M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (192) Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, former justice, Supreme Court of Texas; (193) Hon. Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza, Travis County District Clerk; (194) Charles A. Rosenthal; (195) Hon. Lee Rosenthal, judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; (196) Ronald C. Ross, M.D.; (197) Dominique Sachse, Channel 2 KPRC-TV; (198) San Antonio Federal Credit Union; (199) SBC; (200) Houston Police Office Sam Searcy; (201) Secretary, United States Department of Health and Human Services; (202) Hon. Nancy M. Seliger, member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (203) Michele Shackelford; (204) Hon. Michael Shelby, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas; (205) Hon. Richard Simmons, United States Bankruptcy Trustee for Region 7; (206) Captain S.A. Smith, Channel 11 KHOU-TV and Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (207) Houston Police Officer Steve A. Smith; (208) John Somyak; (209) Hon. Paulette B. Southard, member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (210) Robert S. Sparks, D.O.; (211) Hon. Nelda Spears, Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector; (212) Sue Speck, Channel 26 KRIV-TV; (213) Hon. Mike Stafford, Harris County Attorney; (214) Karen Stalls; (215) Special Agent Ronald Patrick Starks, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (216) State Bar of Texas; (217) State Office of Administrative Hearings; (218) Nancy Steele, Texas Health and Human Services Commission; (219) Sterling Bank; (220) Houston Police Officer G.S. Stewart; (221) Jebecca Stockton; (222) The Suburban Physician's Center; (223) The Summit Group; (224) The Supreme Court of Texas; (225) Scott Tatum; (226) Ray Taylor, United States Drug Enforcement Agency; (227) Sheila Bailey Taylor, State Office of Administrative Hearings; (228) Tax Appraisal District of Bell County; (229) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; (230) Texas Department of Health; (231) Texas Department of Public Safety; (232) Texas Health and Human Services Commission; (233) Texas Medical Association; (234) Texas Medical Liability Trust; (235) Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (236) Texas Workforce Commission; (237) Terrence Thompson; (238) Hon. Tommy Thomas, sheriff, Harris County; (239) Hon. Janet Tornelli-Mitchel, M.D., member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (240) Travis County Clerk; (241) Patricia L. Tragesser, R.N.; (242) Tribune; (243) Hon. Teddy Turner, member, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners; (244) Houston Police Officer Turpin; (245) Cindy Tyler, Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (246) Hon. Olen Underwood, presiding judge, Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas; (247) United States Department of Justice; (248) United States Federal Bureau of Investigation; (249) United States Internal Revenue Service; (250) The United States of America; (251) United States Postal Service; (252) United States Trustee Program; (253) Hon. Jesse Dale Wainwright, former judge, 334th District Court, Harris County; (254) Maude Walker, Channel 26 KRIV-TV; (255) Dave Ward, Channel 13 KTRK-TV; (256) Alfred Watson; (257) Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.; (258) Wells Fargo Bank of Texas, N.A.; (259) Hon. Ewing Werlein, Jr., judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; (260) Houston Police Officer Lola Wheeler; (261) Randolph Wheless; (262) Stephen B. White; (263) Jill Wiggins; (264) Hon. Michael Wilkerson, judge, 179th District Court, Harris County; (265) Hon. Chuck Wilson, former Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector; (266) L.E. ("Ted") Wilson III, assistant district attorney, Harris County; (267) Melissa Wilson, Channel 26 KRIV-TV; (268) Houston Police Officer Vanessa Wiltz; (269) Dulcie G. Wink; (270) Chris Wright, Channel 26 KRIV-TV; (271) The Rev. Chris Wright; (272) Quannell X; (273) Mike Yates, Houston Police Department; (274) Yavapai County Recorder, Arizona; and (275) Houston Police Officer Ynosencio.
Mosby's controlled substances registration certificate was revoked by the Texas Department of Public Safety on October 4, 2001. His medical license was revoked by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners on August 16, 2002. Tex. State Bd. Med. Exam'rs, In re Mosby, SOAH Docket No. 503-02-1484 (Aug. 16, 2002). He pleaded guilty to knowingly or intentionally delivering a prescription form for other than a valid medical purpose in the course of professional practice, and the trial court accessed punishment at 5-years imprisonment and a $500 fine, suspended for 5-years community supervision. State v. Mosby, No. 884754 (351st Dist. Ct., Harris County, Tex. Nov. 5, 2002), appeal dismissed, No. 06-03-00014-CR (Tex.App.-Texarkana Mar. 5, 2003), reh'g granted, (Tex.App.-Texarkana Apr. 16, 2003); see Tex. Health Safety Code Ann. § 481.129(c)(1), (f)(2) (Vernon Supp. 2003).
Writs of Prohibition
In cause number 01-03-00367-CV, Mosby demands that this Court issue writs of prohibition directed at the 98 Harris County courts and 96 judges to prevent them from hearing and determining matters he claims lie exclusive within the jurisdiction of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and the Travis County courts.
There are 98 trial courts in Harris County, excluding municipal courts. The Harris County district courts are the 11th, 55th, 61st, 80th, 113th, 125th, 127th, 129th, 133rd, 151st, 152d 157th, 164th, 165th, 174th, 176th, 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th, 182d 183rd, 184th, 185th, 189th, 190th, 208th, 209th, 215th, 228th, 230th, 232d 234 th, 245th, 246th, 247th, 248th, 257th, 262d 263rd, 269th, 270th, 280th, 281st, 295th, 308th, 309th, 310th, 311th, 312th, 313th, 314th, 315th, 333rd, 334th, 337th, 338th, 339th, and 351th Judicial District Courts. The Harris County county courts are the: (1) County Civil Courts at Law Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4; (2) County Criminal Courts at Law Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15; (3) Probate Courts Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4; and (4) Justice of the Peace: Precinct 1, Place 1; Precinct 1, Place 2; Precinct 2, Place 1; Precinct 2, Place 2; Precinct 3, Place 1; Precinct 3, Place 2; Precinct 4, Place 1; Precinct 4, Place 2; Precinct 5, Place 1; Precinct 5, Place 2; Precinct 6, Place 1; Precinct 6, Place 2; Precinct 7, Place 1; Precinct 7, Place 2; Precinct 8, Place 1; and Precinct 8, Place 2.
The current Harris County district judges are the Hon. Mark Davidson (11th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jeff Brown (55th Dist. Ct.), Hon. John Donovan (61st Dist. Ct.), Hon. Kent Sullivan (80th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Patricia Hancock (113th Dist. Ct.), Hon. John Coselli (125th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Sharolyn Wood (127th Dist. Ct.), Hon. S. Grant Dorfman (129th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Lamar McCorkle (133rd Dist. Ct.), Hon. Caroline E. Baker (151st Dist. Ct.), Hon. Ken Wise (152nd Dist. Ct.), Hon. Randy Wilson (157th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Martha Hill Jamison (164th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Elizabeth Ray (165th Dist. Ct.), Hon. George Godwin (174th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Brian Rains (176th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Carol G. Davies (177th Dist. Ct.), Hon. William Harmon (178th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Michael J. Wilkinson (179th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Debbie Mantooth Stricklin (180th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jeannine Barr (182nd Dist. Ct.), Hon. Joan Huffman (183rd Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jan Krocker (184th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Susan Brown (185th Dist. Ct.), vacant (189th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jennifer W. Elrod (190th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Denise Collins (208th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Michael McSpadden (209th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Levi Benton (215th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Ted Poe (228th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Belinda Hill (230th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Mary Lou Keel (232th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Bruce Oakley (234th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Annette Galik (245th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jim York (246th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Bonnie Crane Hellums (247th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Joan Campbell (248th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Linda Motheral (257th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Mike Anderson (262nd Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jim Wallace (263rd Dist. Ct.), Hon. John T. Wooldridge (269th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Brent Gamble (270th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Tony Lindsay (280th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Jane Bland (281st Dist. Ct.), Hon. Tracy E. Christopher (295th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Georgia Dempster (308th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Frank Rynd (309th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Lisa Millard (310th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Doug Warne (311th Dist. Ct.), Hon. James Squier (312nd Dist. Ct.), Hon. Pat Shelton (313th Dist. Ct.), Hon. John Phillips (314th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Kent Ellis (315th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Joseph James Halbach Jr. (333rd Dist. Ct.), vacant (334th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Don Stricklin (337th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Brock Thomas (338th Dist. Ct.), Hon. Caprice Cosper (339th Dist. Ct.); and Hon. Mark Kent Ellis (351st Dist. Ct.). The current Harris County civil courts at law judges are the Hon. R. Jack Cagle (No. 1), Hon. Gary Michael Block (No. 2), Hon. Lynn Bradshaw-Hull (No. 3), and Hon. Cynthia Crowe (No. 4). The current Harris County criminal courts at law judges are the Hon. Reagan C. Helm (No. 1), Hon. Michael A. Peters (No. 2), Hon. Donald W. Jackson (No. 3), Hon. James Anderson (No. 4), Hon. Margaret Stewart Harris (No. 5), Hon. Larry Standley (No. 6), Hon. Pam Derbyshire (No. 7), Hon. Jay Karahan (No. 8), Hon. Analia Wilkerson (No. 9), Hon. Sherman Ross (No. 10), Hon. Diane Bull (No. 11), Hon. Robin Brown (No. 12), Hon. Mark Atkinson (No. 13), Hon. Mike Fields (No. 14), and Hon. Jean Spradling-Hughes (No. 15). The current Harris County justices of the peace are Hon. Dale M. Gorczynski (Precinct 1, Place 1), Hon. David M. Patronella (Precinct 1, Place 2), Hon. Jo Ann Delgado (Precinct 2, Place 1), Hon. George E. Risner (Precinct 2, Place 2), Hon. Mike Parrott (Precinct 3, Place 1), Hon. Tony Polumbo (Precinct 3, Place 2), Hon. J. Kent Adams (Precinct 4, Place 1), Hon. Tom Lawrence (Precinct 4, Place 2), Hon. Mark Fury (Precinct 5, Place 1), Hon. William V. Yeoman (Precinct 5, Place 2), Hon. Richard C. Vara (Precinct 6, Place 1), Hon. Armando V. Rodriguez (Precinct 6, Place 2), Hon. Betty Brock Bell (Precinct 7, Place 1), Hon. Alexander Green (Precinct 7, Place 2), Hon. Molly Maness (Precinct 8, Place 1), and Hon. Louie Ditta (Precinct 8, Place 2).
A court of appeals or a justice of the court has jurisdiction to issue writs — other than writs of mandamus against a district or county court judge — only when necessary to enforce the jurisdiction of the appellate court. Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 22.221(a), (b) (Vernon Supp. 2003). A court of appeals's jurisdiction under section 22.221(a) to issue writs is limited to cases in which the court has actual jurisdiction of a pending proceeding. Lesikar v. Anthony, 750 S.W.2d 338, 339 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1988, orig. proceeding).
We have no actual jurisdiction over a pending proceeding in this case. Accordingly, we have no subject-matter jurisdiction over cause number 01-03-00367-CV.
Writs of Quo Warranto
In cause numbers 01-03-00413-CV and 01-03-00414-CV, Mosby demands that this Court issue writs of quo warranto directed at (1) the 98 Harris County courts and 96 Harris County judges (cause number 01-03-00413-CV) and (2) the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (cause number 01-03-00414-CV) to inquire by what authority the Harris County courts and judges and the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners have interfered with Mosby's medical license and controlled substances registration certification.
As previously discussed, a court of appeals or a justice of the court has jurisdiction to issue writs — other than writs of mandamus against a district or county court judge — only when necessary to enforce the jurisdiction of the appellate court. Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 22.221(a), (b) (Vernon Supp. 2003). Jurisdiction under section 22.221(a) to issue writs is limited to cases in which the court has actual jurisdiction of a pending proceeding. Lesikar, 750 S.W.2d at 339. Because we have no actual jurisdiction over a pending proceeding in this case, we have no subject-matter jurisdiction over cause numbers 01-03-00413-CV and 01-03-00414-CV.
Declaratory Judgment
In cause number 01-03-00415-CV, Mosby demands that this Court render a declaratory judgment (1) to define his rights — and the rights of "others similarly situated" — to practice medicine and to dispense controlled substances and (2) to define the limits of the Harris County courts and judges to interfere with his rights and the rights of "others similarly situated." Mosby does not identify the proper opposing parties to this proposed declaratory judgment, but we will assume they would be the 98 Harris County courts, 96 Harris County judges, and Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
The jurisdiction of a court of appeals is appellate, unless the legislature confers original jurisdiction by statute. Tex. Const. art. V, § 6(a). We are not aware of any statute that gives this Court original jurisdiction to render a declaratory judgment, and Mosby cites us to no such statute. Accordingly, we conclude we have no subject-matter jurisdiction over cause number 01-03-00415-CV.
The only statute we are aware of that confers original jurisdiction is in the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code, which allows a suit for judicial review over certain actions of the Motor Vehicle Board of the Texas Department of Transportation to be removed from the Travis County district court to the Third Court of Appeals. See Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 4413(36), § 7.01 (Vernon Supp. 2003).
Conclusion
We dismiss cause numbers 01-03-00367-CV, 01-03-00413-CV, 01-03-00414-CV, and 01-03-00415-CV for want of subject-matter jurisdiction. The corresponding motions for leave to file each of the petitions are dismissed as moot.