Opinion
04-23-00962-CR
11-22-2023
Melvin Leon OWENS, Appellant v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee
DO NOT PUBLISH
From the 187th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas Trial Court No. 2019CR9385 Honorable Stephanie R. Boyd, Judge Presiding
Sitting: Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice, Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice Lori I. Valenzuela, Justice
MEMORANDUM OPINION
PER CURIAM
DISMISSED FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION
On October 16, 2023, appellant Melvin Leon Owens filed a notice of appeal attempting to appeal the trial court's order dismissing his underlying criminal case. Owens's notice states the dismissal was part of a plea bargain in which he agreed to a lifetime protective order in exchange for the State seeking to dismiss his criminal case. However, a plea bargain is not in the record filed in this court. Additionally, Owens's notice affirms that the punishment assessed by the trial court did not exceed the punishment recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to by Owens.
"[I]n Texas, appeals by either the State or the defendant in a criminal case are permitted only when they are specifically authorized by statute." State ex rel. Lykos v. Fine, 330 S.W.3d 904, 915 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011). Under Texas law, a criminal defendant is permitted to appeal only judgments of conviction and other designated appealable orders. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 44.02; Tex.R.App.P. 25.2(a)(2). A defendant may not appeal a trial court's order dismissing the charge filed against him. See Bohannan v. State, 352 S.W.3d 47, 48 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2011, pet. ref'd) (dismissing for lack of jurisdiction a defendant's appeal from an order dismissing criminal charges against him); Petty v. State, 800 S.W.2d 582, 583-84 (Tex. App.-Tyler 1990, no pet.) (same).
We ordered Owens to show cause why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Owens's court-appointed counsel filed a response agreeing that this court has no jurisdiction over Owens's appeal. Accordingly, this appeal is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.