Ex Parte N.C.

Opinion

IN THE TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

No. 10-14-00102-CV

EX PARTE N.C.

From the 12th District Court Walker County, Texas Trial Court No. 26744

ABATEMENT ORDER

On January 25, 2017, the Court received a motion filed by appellant, N.C., asking

the Court to order a Special Amicus Curiae investigation and report regarding his

treatment, movement, and classification as possibly related to his participation in

complaints and investigations at various units within TDCJ. N.C. filed an amended

motion on February 10, 2017. The Court ordered appellees to file a response. The Special

Prosecution Unit filed a response on February 27, 2017.

The SPU’s response did not controvert any of N.C.’s allegations and, instead, took

the position that the Court had no authority to order the requested investigation. The Court agrees and accordingly, denies N.C.’s amended motion filed on February 10, 2017.1

The SPU, however, failed to address the most critical part of the Court’s concern,

and the only one expressly referred to in the Court’s February 15, 2017 order. Specifically,

the Court noted, based in part on the allegations that because N.C. had been classified as

“Chronically mental ill—inpatient,” N.C. was unable “to access his legal materials to

prepare his brief” which was due March 20, 2017.

Although the Court does not dispute that it cannot order the investigation sought

by N.C., this does not mean that the Court is powerless to address N.C.’s limited access

to his legal materials so as to pursue his legal rights.

Accordingly, this proceeding is abated to the trial court to hold a hearing to

determine a procedure whereby the legal rights of N.C. can be protected, including, if

exceptional circumstances exist, the appointment of counsel pursuant to section 24.016 of

the Texas Government Code.2 See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 24.016 (West 2004); Gibson v.

Tolbert, 102 S.W.3d 710, 712-13 (Tex. 2003).

The trial court must hold the required hearing, after taking appropriate steps to

secure the participation of N.C. by giving him notice and opportunity to be heard, within

1 The amended motion supercedes the original, January 25, 2017, motion. Thus, there is no need to rule on the January 25, 2017 motion.

2 We note that N.C. was represented by Sean M. Reagan on N.C.’s petition for review before the Texas Supreme Court. Upon remand to this Court, Reagan withdrew from further representation of N.C. on appeal. Subsequent to Reagan’s withdrawal, N.C. has repeatedly requested the appointment of counsel. We have been required to deny those requests because, unlike the trial court, we have no authority to appoint counsel for any litigant.

Ex parte N.C. Page 2 28 days from the date of this order. The trial court must have a reporter’s record made

of the hearing and render its order, setting forth the procedure to protect N.C.’s legal

rights, including the name and contact information of an appointed attorney, if ordered

pursuant to the determined procedure, within 14 days after the date the hearing is

conducted.

The court reporter and the court clerk are ordered to file with the Clerk of this

Court supplemental records as appropriate, within 14 days after the trial court renders

its order.

It is so ordered.

PER CURIAM

Before Chief Justice Gray, Justice Davis, and Justice Scoggins Abated Order issued and filed March 22, 2017

Ex parte N.C. Page 3