Bell, Dominque Rashad

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS

NO. WR-97,605-01

EX PARTE DOMINQUE RASHAD BELL, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. C-297-W012759-1712051-A IN THE 297TH DISTRICT COURT TARRANT COUNTY

Per curiam.

OPINION

Applicant was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to eleven years’ imprisonment. He filed this application for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

Applicant contends that he was denied his right to an appeal because appellate counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal. Based on the record, the

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trial court has found that counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal.

Relief is granted. Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988);

Jones v. State, 98 S.W.3d 700 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Applicant may file an out- of-time appeal of his conviction in cause number 1712051 from the 297th District Court of Tarrant County. It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel. However, if Applicant is not represented by counsel, the trial court shall determine, within ten days from the date of this Court’s mandate, whether Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wants to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint counsel to represent him on direct appeal. Should Applicant decide to appeal, he must file a written notice of appeal in the trial court within thirty days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: June 11, 2026 Do not publish