Finley Wright v. State

Opinion

COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE

FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON

ORDER

Appellate case name: Finley Wright v. The State of Texas

Appellate case number: 01-13-00838-CR

Trial court case number: 1334182

Trial court: 174th District Court of Harris County

Appellant’s counsel has filed a “Motion for Leave to Withdraw.” Because our opinion in this appeal has issued, appellant’s “appeals are exhausted,” counsel has fulfilled his duty to represent appellant, and we dismiss the motion as moot.

We issued our opinion in this appeal on February 12, 2015. Once our opinion issues, appointed counsel has the duty to inform appellant “of the result of the direct appeal and the availability of discretionary review.” Ex parte Wilson, 956 S.W.2d 25, 27 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). “But, because there is no right to counsel on discretionary review, the duty of counsel ends there.” Id.; see TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. arts. 1.051(d)(2), 26.04(j)(2) (Vernon Supp. 2014) (providing right to appointed counsel for eligible indigent defendant in Court of Criminal Appeals if appeal is directly from trial court or petition for discretionary review has been granted; requiring appointed counsel to represent defendant until “appeals are exhausted”); Ayala v. State, 633 S.W.2d 526, 528 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982) (holding that appointed counsel has no duty to file petition for discretion review on behalf of appellant). Therefore, although counsel has a duty to inform appellant of our decision and that appellant has the right to file a petition for discretionary review, counsel has fulfilled his duty to represent appellant in court proceedings.

Accordingly, counsel’s motion is DISMISSED as moot.

Judge’s signature: /s/ Laura C. Higley Acting individually

Date: April 2, 2015