In Re Jose Mendez v. the State of Texas

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: January 19, 2024
• Docket: 03-23-00815-CV
• Status: Published

Opinion

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-23-00815-CV

In re Jose Mendez

ORIGINAL PROCEEDING FROM COMAL COUNTY

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Jose Mendez has filed an original pro se application for writ of habeas corpus

challenging the basis for revocation of his deferred supervision. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc.

arts. 11.01, .05, .40.

The original habeas corpus jurisdiction of a court of appeals is limited to cases

where a person’s liberty is restrained because he or she has violated an order, judgment, or

decree in a civil case. See Tex. Gov’t Code § 22.221(d); In re Reece, 341 S.W.3d 360, 364 n.3

(Tex. 2011). Courts of appeals have no original habeas jurisdiction in criminal matters. In re

Ayers, 515 S.W.3d 356 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, no pet.); see Ex parte Braswell,

630 S.W.3d 600, 601–02 (Tex. App.—Waco 2021, no pet.); Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833,

835 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, no pet.) (“The courts of appeals have no original

habeas corpus jurisdiction in criminal matters; their jurisdiction is appellate only.”). Original

jurisdiction to grant a writ of habeas corpus in a criminal case is vested in the Court of Criminal Appeals, the district courts, the county courts, or a judge of those courts. Tex. Code Crim. Proc.

art. 11.05.; see Ayers, 515 S.W.3d at 356.

Accordingly, we dismiss Mendez’s original application for writ of habeas corpus

for want of jurisdiction.

__________________________________________ Thomas J. Baker, Justice

Before Justices Baker, Triana, and Smith

Filed: January 19, 2024