Castaneda, Cutberto Carreno v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: June 21, 2000
• Docket: 05-99-00123-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

AFFIRMED; Opinion Filed June 2 , 2000.

in The Gttnxrt nt Anat ittI 3htrirt uf iiItxai at Oat{zui No. 05-99-00123-CR No. 05-99-00124-CR

CUTBERTO CARRENO CASTANEDA, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. 4 Dallas County, Texas Trial Court Cause Nos. F98-52229-VK and F98-52230-VK

OPINION Before Justices Ovard, Morris, and Wright Opinion By Ovard

Cutberto Carreno Casteneda appeals his convictions for possessing four or more grams of

cocaine with the intent to deliver and possessing 400 or more grams of heroin with the intent to

deliver. After a single trial on both offenses, appellant was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment and

a $10,000 fine for the cocaine offense and 75 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the heroin

offense. In one point of error, appellant contends he received ineffective assistance of counsel

because his trial counsel: (1) waived his right to have the jury consider probation as a possible

punishment; (2) failed to object when the trial court dismissed a potential juror sna sponte; and (3) failed to preserve error when the trial court denied counsel’s challenge for cause to a potential juror.

Because we conclude appellant did not meet his burden of proving ineffective assistance, we affirm.

Factual Background

Police officers executed a search warrant at appellant’s apartment and discovered large

amounts of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Appellant was arrested at the scene.

Standard of Review

To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, appellant must prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that (1) counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness based upon prevailing norms and (2) there is a reasonable probability that but for

counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. See

Thompson i State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); see also Hernandez v. State, 988

S.W.2d 770, 772 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (holding that the same standard of review applies to all

ineffective assistance challenges). We examine the totality of counsel’s representation to determine

whether appellant received effective assistance. See Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813. We do not judge

counsel’s strategic decisions in hindsight, and we strongly presume counsel’s competence. See Id

Any allegation of ineffectiveness must be firmly founded in the record, and the record must

affirmatively demonstrate the alleged ineffectiveness. See Id. In most cases, a silent record which

provides no explanation for counsel’s actions will not overcome the strong presumption of

reasonable assistance. See id. at 8 13-14.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Appellant first argues his trial counsel’s representation was ineffective because counsel

waived appellant’s right to have thejury consider probation as a possible punishment. Specifically,

—2— appellant contends trial counsel erred by filing an unsworn application for probation and by failing

to produce any evidence at trial of appellant’s eligibility for probation. Although appellant claims

he was eligible for probation, there is no indication in the record that evidence of appellant’s

eligibility existed. Therefore, we cannot conclude trial counsel’s failure to present such evidence

was objectively unreasonable. See Wi/kerson v. State, 726 S.W.2d 542, 550 (Tex. Crim. App.

1986); Johnston v. State, 959 S.W.2d 230, 236 (Tex. App—Dallas 1997, no writ).

In addition, without evidence of appellant’s eligibility, we cannot conclude trial counsel’s

failure to file a sworn application for probation constituted ineffective assistance. While appellant

correctly argues probation is possible only when a sworn application is filed before trial, see TEx.

CoDE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.12 (Vernon Supp. 2000), there is no evidence in the record

appellant was otherwise eligible for probation. Consequently, appellant has not established a

reasonable probability that he would have received probation had trial counsel filed a sworn

application. See Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813.

Next, appellant alleges his trial counsel’s representation was ineffective because trial counsel

failed to object when the trial court dismissed a prospective juror sua sponte. Assuming the trial

court’s action was error, the record is silent as to counsel’s rationale for not objecting. Counsel may

have had reason to believe the trial court’s action was beneficial to appellant. Without trial counsel’s

testimony, we cannot meaningfully address counsel’s reasoning or strategy. See Id at 814;

McWhorter v. State, 957 S.W.2d 928, 931 (Tex. App,—Beaumont 1997, no pet.). Therefore,

appellant has not established trial counsel’s failure to object constituted objectively unreasonable

performance. See Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 814.

Finally, appellant claims trial counsel’s representation was ineffective because counsel failed

—3— to preserve error after the trial court denied a challenge for cause to a prospective juror. Appellant

argues he was prejudiced because the vote of only one juror can prevent a conviction and another

juror could have influenced the jury to impose a lesser sentence. However, even if appellant’s trial

counsel erred as appellant alleges, an assertion that error had some conceivable effect on the

outcome of a case is not enough for us to conclude appellant suffered a prejudice. See McFarland

v. State, 928 S.W.2d 482, 500 (Tex, Crim. App. 1996). To prove prejudice, appellant must show

from the record a reasonable probability that but for the error, the fact finder would have made

different findings respecting his guilt or his sentence. See id Appellant’s assertion that a different

juror may have influenced the jury to reach a different conclusion does not reach the level of a

reasonable probability. Consequently, appellant has not established he was prejudiced by trial

counsel’s alleged failure to preserve for review the challenge for cause. See Id

We conclude appellant failed to prove he received ineffective assistance in any of the

grounds asserted, therefore, we overrule his point of error. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

JOHN OVARD JUSTICE

Do Not Publish Thx. R. App. P. 47

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JUDGMENT

CIJTBERTO CARRENO CASTANEDA, Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. Appellant 4 of Dallas County, Texas. (Tr.Ct.No. F98- 5 2229-VK). No. 05-99-00123-CR V. Opinion delivered by Justice Ovard, Justices Morris and Wright participating. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED.

Judgment entered June 11, 2000.

JOHN OVARD JUSTICE Aiiaki (Ltnurt øf 3Fiftt! ThiInrt Lit Jixai at 3atkui

JUDGMENT CUTBERTO CARRENO CASTANEDA, Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. Appellant 4 of Dallas County, Texas, (Tr.Ct.No. F98- 52230-VK). No. 05-99-00124-CR V Opinion delivered by Justice Ovard, Justices Morris and Wright participating. THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED.

Judgment entered June Z1 , 2000.

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;J OVARD JUSTICE