ACCEPTED 01-15-00555-CR FIRST COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS 6/23/2015 11:26:23 PM CHRISTOPHER PRINE CLERK
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ____________ COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT FILED IN 1st COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS 01-15-00555-CR No. _______________ 6/23/2015 11:26:23 PM CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE Clerk
IN RE MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI, Relator
______________________________________________________________
RELATOR’S EMERGENCY MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RELIEF ______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
From the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas, Honorable Jim Wallace presiding in Cause Numbers 1411883 & 1437307 _____________________________________________________
Jerome Godinich, Jr. R. Scott Shearer TBA No. 08054700 TBA No. 00786464 917 Frankilin, Suite 320 917 Franklin, Suite 320 Houston, TX 77002 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 237-8388 (713) 254-5629 (713) 224-2889 FAX (713) 224-2889 FAX JGodinich@AOL.com ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com
Attorney for Relator Attorney for Relator (on writ and mandamus only)
June 23, 2015 TO THE HONORABLE _______ COURT OF APPEALS:
RELATOR, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI, requests that this Court issue
a writ of mandamus directed to Respondent, the Honorable Jim Wallace, who is
the presiding judge of the 263rd district court of Harris County, Texas. This
petition for writ of mandamus results from Respondent’s failure to issue a writ of
habeas corpus filed on behalf of Relator and assigned cause number 1437307.
Relator argues that, (1) Respondent had a ministerial, mandatory, and non-
discretionary duty to issue the writ; and (2) Relator has no adequate remedy at law
because it is well settled that a defendant may not appeal when a judge refuses to
issue a writ of habeas corpus.
1. The Respondent had a ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas corpus. Relator has a clear right to the relief sought.
In the recent case of In re Tyrone Allen, the Court of Criminal Appeals set
out the current standard to be applied in mandamus cases. See In re Tyrone Allen,
Nos. WR-82, 265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015). Mandamus
relief is appropriate only when a relator establishes (1) that he has no adequate
remedy at law to redress his alleged harm, and (2) that what he seeks to compel is a
ministerial act, not a discretionary or judicial decision. A relator satisfies the
ministerial act component when he can show that he has a clear right to the relief
2 sought. “A clear right to relief is shown when the facts and circumstances dictate
but one rational decision 'under unequivocal, well-settled (i.e., from extant
statutory, constitutional, or case law sources), and clearly controlling legal
principles.’” A ministerial act, by its nature, does not involve the use of judicial
discretion; it must be positively commanded and so plainly prescribed under the
law as to be free from doubt. While a trial court has a ministerial duty to rule upon
a properly filed and timely presented motion, it generally has no ministerial duty to
rule a certain way on that motion. It is proper to order a court to rule a particular
way only when the law invoked is “definite, unambiguous, and unquestionably
applies to the indisputable facts of the case.” In re Tyrone Allen, Nos. WR-82,
265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015); see State ex rel. Healey v.
McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772, 774 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) (orig. proceeding) (an act is
ministerial when the, “law clearly spells out the duty to be performed with such
certainty that nothing is left to the discretion or judgment.” While mandamus is
not a substitute for appeal, it may be used to correct judicial action “that is clearly
contrary to well-settled law, whether that law is derived from statute, rule, or
opinion of a court.” Id.
In a habeas corpus proceeding, “there is a distinction between the issuance
of a writ of habeas corpus and the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an
application for that writ.” Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App.
3 1991). The writ is defined as an order issued by a court or judge of competent
jurisdiction, directed to anyone having a person in his custody, or under his
restraint, commanding him to produce such person, at a time and place named in
the writ, and show why he is held in custody or under restraint. TEX. CRIM. PROC.
CODE ANN. art. 11.01. In other words, the writ in a habeas corpus proceeding is
merely the formal order securing the presence of the person in custody.
This Court’s jurisdiction over appeals of pre-trial habeas matters is limited to
review of the trial court’s written order ruling on the merits of the application. See
Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991); Ex parte Wiley, 949
S.W.2d 3, 4 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 1996, no pet.). When a hearing is held on the
merits of an applicant’s claim and the court subsequently rules on the merits of that
claim, the losing party may appeal. Ex Parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex.
Cr. App. 1991).
In the present case, the Respondent issued a written order denying issuance
of the writ. (Exhibit 2, 4). An examination of the record reveals that the trial court
denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding
Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.
Because the court did not consider and resolve the merits of appellant’s habeas
corpus application, Relator could not appeal to this Court.
4 It is beyond question that the Respondent had a duty to issue the writ. Texas
district courts have constitutional and statutory authority to issue writs of habeas
corpus. TEX. CONST. art. V, §8; TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §24.011; TEX. CRIM.
PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.05; Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 867 (Tex. Cr.
App. 1991). The Texas Constitution provides that the writ of habeas corpus is a
“writ of right.” TEX. CONST. art. I, §12. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
further provides that it is the duty of a district court, “upon proper motion, to grant
the writ under the rules prescribed by law.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art.
11.05. The writ “shall be granted without delay by the judge or court receiving the
petition, unless it be manifest from the petition itself, or some documents annexed
to it, that the party is entitled to no relief whatsoever.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE
ANN. art. 11.15. “Where one entitled to a writ of habeas corpus makes proper
application for it to the proper court having jurisdiction, said application
conforming to all the statutory requirements and probable cause being shown, the
writ of habeas corpus cannot be denied to the relator, for it then becomes a
constitutional right. Neither can it be denied where the granting of it is made an
imperative duty by statute.” Click v. State, 118 Tex.Crim. 404, 407-408, 39
S.W.2d 39, 41 (1931). Relator has complied with the requirements for such
petitions. See TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.14. Judge Wallace had a
mandatory duty to issue the writ of habeas corpus returnable in Harris County, to
5 let the writ be served upon the sheriff of Harris County, and to timely to hear the
merits of Relator’s complaint. See TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. arts. 11.05,
11.08, 11.10, 11.11, 11.27, 11.31, 11.40.
2. Relator has no adequate remedy at law.
Respondent denied issuance of the writ on the grounds that the Respondent’s
claim is not cognizable on a pre-trial writ of habeas corpus. (Exhibit 3). It is
important to note that Relator is not asking the Respondent to rule a certain way in
his case. There is a distinction between the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus and
the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an application for that writ. Ex
parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991). An applicant cannot
appeal from a trial court’s refusal to issue or grant a writ of habeas corpus, but may
appeal the denial of relief on the merits of the application. See Hargett, 819
S.W.2d at 868.
At this juncture, Relator is only asking for the Respondent to issue the writ
according to recognized process and to make a ruling on the merits. See Ex parte
McCullough, 966 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998) (“The Court of Appeals
and the State have confused cognizability with jurisdiction. Certain claims may
not be cognizable on habeas corpus, i.e., they may not be proper grounds for
6 habeas corpus relief. However, if the district court denies relief, regardless of the
underlying claims for the relief sought, the applicant may appeal.”); O'Donniley v.
Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267, 269 (Tex. App. - Tyler 1993, orig. proceeding) (“While
it is a basic premise that an appellate court lacks the power to compel a trial judge
to do a particular act involving or requiring discretion on his part, this Court is
empowered to order a trial judge to exercise his discretion in some manner.”); see
also In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225, 228 (Tex. App. - Amarillo 2001, orig.
proceeding) (“[A]dmittedly, the need to consider and rule upon a motion is not a
discretionary act.”); In re Minnfee, No. 07-09-0005-CV, 2009 Tex.App. LEXIS
332, at *2 (Tex. App.-Amarillo Jan. 16, 2009, orig. proceeding) (“[W]e cannot tell
a trial judge how to rule on motions pending before them before the trial judge
himself rules on them.”).
It is well settled that a trial court violates a ministerial duty when it denies
issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. In re J.C.L., No. 10-11-00447-CV (Tex. App.
- Waco February 15, 2012) (original proceeding) (“the trial court has a ministerial
duty to consider and rule on relator’s habeas corpus applications”) (unpublished);
In re Solis, No. 04-04-00050-CV, 2004 WL 1336266 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
June 16, 2004, orig. proceeding) (holding that defendant was entitled to writ of
mandamus ordering trial court to consider and rule on his habeas corpus
application) (unpublished).
7 There is no right of appeal from the refusal to issue a writ of habeas corpus
when the trial court did not consider and resolve the merits of the application. See
Ex parte Ainsworth, 27 Tex. 731, 732-33 (Tex. 1865); Ex parte McCullough, 966
S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998); Purchase v. State, 176 S.W.3d 406, 407
(Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.); Ex parte Okere, 56 S.W.3d 846,
850 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2001, pet ref’d); Ex parte Gonzales, 12 S.W.3d 913,
914 (Tex. App. - Austin 2000, pet. ref’d); cf. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866,
869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (holding that if trial court reaches merits of habeas
corpus application, its ruling is appealable even if trial court refused to issue writ).
An examination of the record in the present case reveals that the trial court
denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding
Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.
(Exhibit 2, 4); See Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex. Cr. App. 2008)
(“A hearing held to determine whether a writ should issue or whether the merits of
claims should be addressed is not the same as one that is held to resolve the merits
of an applicant’s allegations.”); Hargett, 819 S.W.2d at 868. Because the court did
not consider and resolve the merits of Relator’s habeas corpus application, Relator
could not appeal. Had he done so, his appeal would have been dismissed for lack
of jurisdiction.
8 In general, the absence of the right of appeal satisfies the mandamus
requirement that the relator have no legal remedy. Rosenthal v. Poe, 98 S.W.3d
194, 199 (Tex. Cr. App. 2003) (orig. proceeding).
When a trial judge refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus or denies a
hearing on the merits, an applicant’s remedies are limited. The applicant may
either present the application to another judge having jurisdiction, or “under proper
circumstances” seek a writ of mandamus. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868
(Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (citing Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App.-El
Paso 1980, orig. proceeding)); see Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex.
Cr. App. 2008) (“Some remedies available to an applicant in that situation are to
present the application to another district judge having jurisdiction, or under proper
circumstances, to pursue a writ of mandamus.”); see also Ex parte Hayes, No. WR-
77,189-01 (Tex. Cr. App. March 7, 2012) (unpublished) (Johnson, J., concurring)
(“If the district court does not rule or refuses to rule, [the applicant] may then file
an application for a writ of mandamus in the court of appeals and petition that
court to order the district court to rule on his properly filed application for a writ of
habeas corpus. Once he has a ruling, he may appeal it if he so chooses. If the court
of appeals denies relief on his application for a writ of mandamus, he may file an
application for a writ of mandamus in this Court.”).
9 Although the Court of Criminal Appeals has suggested that an applicant
“shop around” his writ to other district courts, several Courts of Appeal have found
this procedure to be impracticable. The Waco court of appeals found that the time
involved in trying to present a writ to another district court after its issuance has
been denied is an inadequate remedy. In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. -
Waco 1999, original proceeding). In Davis, the court held as follows:
Given the short period of time before the date for the second trial as scheduled by the Respondent, in which Davis would have to seek the requested relief, and the difficulties inherent in locating another district judge to rule on the merits of his habeas application and to then obtain appellate review in the event of a denial of the application, we conclude the theoretical habeas remedy available to Davis is inadequate in these circumstances.
In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. — Waco 1999, original proceeding).
Other courts of appeal have ruled similarly. See Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609
S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding); In re Altschul,
236 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Waco 2007 original proceeding); Thi Van Le v.
Perkins, 700 S.W.2d 768, 776 (Tex. App. - Austin 1985, orig. proceeding),
mandamus denied sub nom. Perkins v. Court of Appeals, 738 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. Cr.
App. 1987) (A remedy by appeal will not prevent the issue of mandamus if that
remedy is inadequate or tedious.).
10 3. Mandamus is appropriate in these circumstances.
In Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) the Court of
Criminal Appeals cited Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. -
El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding) for the proposition that mandamus is appropriate
in certain circumstances where a trial court refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus.
In Von Kolb, relator filed a pre-trial application for writ of habeas corpus sixteen
days before the court of appeals’ opinion. He made several unsuccessful attempts
to set a hearing date, but the trial court took no action on the application. The court
of appeals rejected the state’s argument that Von Kolb had the adequate remedy of
“shop[ping] around for a different forum which would take action on his
application for the writ of habeas corpus.” Id. at 656. The court conditionally
issued the writ, ordering the trial judge to act on the application. Id.
In an attempt to comply with the suggestion of Ex parte Hargett, 819
S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991), Relator presented his pre-trial writ of
habeas corpus to other district courts. The 179th district court and 230th district
court issued written orders also denying issuance of the writ. (Exhibits 6, 8).
11 Several other district courts were approached as well, but were unwilling to
participate in Relator’s shopping expedition.1
Relator regrets the timing of this writ of mandamus coming so close to the
start of trial. In addition to the delay caused by his shopping trip through the
district courts, Relator has been delayed in filing this mandamus due to the health
of the undersigned counsel.2
4. Relator is in need of temporary relief.
Section 22.221 of the Government Code authorizes this Court to issue writs
of mandamus and other writs necessary to enforce its jurisdiction, issue writs of
mandamus agreeable to principles of law regulating such writs against a judge of a
district or county court in the appellate court’s district, and issue writs of habeas
corpus in certain instances. See Tex. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221. Furthermore,
1 In his attempt to “shop around” for a district court willing to issue the writ, it was Relator’s distinct impression that the other district courts were less than enthusiastic about interfering with a case originating from another district court. 2 Undersigned counsel Shearer became afflicted with a MRSA staff infection on the bones inside his foot beginning in October of 2014 and has had multiple surgeries and hospital stays in an attempt to save his foot. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a serious staph infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant bacterium. See Colyer v. State, 428 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. Cr. App. 2014). The prognosis is good, but the undersigned is still undergoing medical treatment as of this date.
12 Rule 52.10 of the rules of appellate procedure specifically gives this Court the
authority to grant immediate temporary relief. See TEX. R. APP. PROC. 52.10. It is
well settled that an appellate court will protect its jurisdiction by preserving the
subject matter of the litigation in order to make its decrees effective. See Dawson
v. First National Bank of Troup, 417 S.W.2d 652 (Tex. Civ. App. - Tyler 1967, no
writ); White v. Baker & Botts, 833 S.W.2d 327, 329 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st
Dist.] 1992, no writ).
This is an emergency motion because the Relator’s case is set for a trial date
of Friday, 06-26-2015. (See attached Exhibit 1). Relator has attached the petition
for writ of mandamus to this motion and incorporates it by reference.
Motion for Temporary Relief
For the reasons stated in this motion and the attached petition for mandamus
and prohibition, Relator prays this Honorable Court will issue a writ of mandamus
directing Respondent to stay Relator’s June 26, 2015 jury trial. Relator also prays
that the Respondent be ordered to answer, that the action be stayed pending further
orders from this Court, for this Court to set this petition for a hearing at the earliest
practicable time and to grant Relator any and all other appropriate relief. See TEX.
R. APP. PROC. 52.10.
13 Respectfully submitted,
By: /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER R. Scott Shearer TBA No. 00786464 917 Franklin, Suite 320 Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 254-5629 (713) 224-2889 FAX ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com
Attorney for Relator
June 23, 2015
14 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a true and correct copy of the attached petition for writ of mandamus, motion for temporary relief, and record, has been served upon the Respondent and the State by EXPEDITED MEANS by e-mailing a copy of same to the following addresses on this the 23rd day of June, 2015:
HON. JIM WALLACE ERICA THOMAS BRICE, COORDINATOR 263RD DISTRICT COURT 1201 FRANKLIN, 15TH FLOOR HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 Erica_Thomas-Brice@justex.net
A.D.A. CLINTON MORGAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE APPELLATE SECTION HOUSTON, TX 77002 MORGAN_CLINTON@dao.hctx.net
/s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER R. Scott Shearer
15 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ____________ COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT 01-15-00555-CR No. _______________ FILED IN st 1 COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TX JUNE 23, 2015 IN RE MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI, CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE, Relator CLERK
RELATOR’S PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS _____________________________________________________
From the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas, Honorable Jim Wallace presiding in Cause Numbers 1411883 & 1437307 _____________________________________________________
Jerome Godinich, Jr. R. Scott Shearer TBA No. 08054700 TBA No. 00786464 917 Frankilin, Suite 320 917 Franklin, Suite 320 Houston, TX 77002 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 237-8388 (713) 254-5629 (713) 224-2889 FAX (713) 224-2889 FAX JGodinich@AOL.com ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com
Attorney for Relator Attorney for Relator (on writ and mandamus only)
i REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT
The Relator, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI, requests oral argument in
this case.
ii IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
So that the members of this Court may evaluate possible disqualification or
recusal, Relator submits the following list of interested parties and their respective
attorneys:
Mathew Payam Shalouei - Relator
[in custody]
Jerome Godinich, Jr. Attorney for Relator.
917 Franklin, Suite 320 Houston, TX 77002
R. Scott Shearer - Attorney for Relator. (on writ and mandamus only)
917 Franklin, Ste. 320 Houston, TX 77002
Lacy Johnson - Counsel for the State of Texas.
District Attorney’s Office 1201 Franklin Houston, TX 77002
Hon. Jim Wallace - Respondent.
263rd District Court 1201 Franklin, 15th Floor Houston, Texas 77002
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT...................................... ii
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL….…......................................... iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES........................................................................... v-viii
THE PARTIES………………….................................................................... 2
STATEMENT OF THE CASE......................................................................... 2
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION…………………………………………. 3
ISSUES PRESENTED……………………………………………………….. 3
STATEMENT OF FACTS…………………………………………………… 4
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES………………………….…………….. 5
PRAYER FOR RELIEF................................................................................... 19
CERTIFICATION……………………………………………………………. 20
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH TEX. R. APP. PROC. 9.4…………21
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE......................................................................... 22
RECORDS AND EXHIBITS………………………………………………… 23
iv INDEX OF AUTHORITIES Page
CASES
Allen v. Guarino, 635 S.W.2d 129 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, no writ) 6
City of Highland Park v. Dallas Ry. Co., 243 S.W. 674 (Tex. Civ. App.- Dallas
1922, writ ref'd) .......................................................................................................9
Click v. State, 118 Tex.Crim. 404, 39 S.W.2d 39 (1931) ........................................12
Colyer v. State, 428 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. Cr. App. 2014) .............................................5
Dawson v. First National Bank of Troup, 417 S.W.2d 652 (Tex. Civ. App. - Tyler
1967, no writ) ........................................................................................................13
Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238 (Tex. 1985) ....................7
Ex parte Ainsworth, 27 Tex. 731 (Tex. 1865) .........................................................14
Ex parte Gonzales, 12 S.W.3d 913 (Tex. App. - Austin 2000, pet. ref’d) ..............15
Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) ...........................................
................................................................................ 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18
Ex parte Hayes, No. WR-77,189-01 (Tex. Cr. App. March 7, 2012) (unpublished)
...............................................................................................................................16
Ex parte McCullough, 966 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998) ................. 13, 15
Ex parte Okere, 56 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2001, pet ref’d) .............15
Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391 (Tex. Cr. App. 2008)............................ 15, 16
Ex parte Wiley, 949 S.W.2d 3 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 1996, no pet.)...................11
v IMC Fertilizer, Inc. v. O'Neill, 846 S.W.2d 590, 591 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th
Dist.] 1993, orig. proceeding). ............................................................................7, 8
In re Altschul, 236 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Waco 2007, original proceeding) .....17
In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225 (Tex. App. - Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding) ........14
In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. - Waco 1999, original proceeding) ........17
In re Dickason, 987 S.W.2d 570 (Tex.1998) (orig. proceeding) ...............................7
In re J.C.L., No. 10-11-00447-CV (Tex. App. - Waco February 15, 2012, original
proceeding) (unpublished) ....................................................................................14
In re Minnfee, No. 07-09-0005-CV, 2009 Tex.App. LEXIS 332, at *2 (Tex. App.-
Amarillo Jan. 16, 2009, orig. proceeding) ............................................................14
In re Solis, No. 04-04-00050-CV, 2004 WL 1336266 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
June 16, 2004, orig. proceeding) (unpublished) ...................................................14
In re State, 50 S.W.3d 100 (Tex. App. - El Paso 2001, orig. proceeding) ................7
In re Tyrone Allen, Nos. WR-82, 265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13,
2015)........................................................................................................................9
O'Donniley v. Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267 (Tex. App. - Tyler 1993, orig. proceeding)
...............................................................................................................................13
Purchase v. State, 176 S.W.3d 406 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.)
...............................................................................................................................15
Rosenthal v. Poe, 98 S.W.3d 194 (Tex. Cr. App. 2003)..........................................15
vi State ex rel. Healey v. McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) (orig.
proceeding) ................................................................................................... 3, 6, 10
State ex rel. Holmes v. Honorable Court of Appeals for Third Dist., 885 S.W.2d
389 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) ........................................................................................7
State ex rel. Holmes v. Third Court of Appeals, 885 S.W.2d 389 (Tex. Cr. App.
1994)........................................................................................................................9
State ex rel. Wade v. Mays, 689 S.W.2d 893 (Tex. Cr. App. 1985) ..........................6
Stearnes v. Clinton, 780 S.W.2d 216 (Tex. Cr. App. 1989) ......................................8
Texas Dept. of Corrections v. Dalehite, 623 S.W.2d 420 (Tex. Cr. App. 1981) ......6
Thi Van Le v. Perkins, 700 S.W.2d 768 (Tex. App. - Austin 1985, orig.
proceeding), mandamus denied sub nom. Perkins v. Court of Appeals, 738
S.W.2d 276 (Tex. Cr. App. 1987) .........................................................................17
Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding)
............................................................................................................ 16, 17, 18, 19
Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1992) ............................................... 6, 7, 8
White v. Baker & Botts, 833 S.W.2d 327 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, no
writ) .......................................................................................................................13
Wolff v. Thornton, 670 S.W.2d 764 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist] 1984, no writ) 6
STATUTES
TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.01..................................................................11
vii TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.05..................................................................12
TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.14..................................................................12
TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.15..................................................................12
Tex. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221 ..................................................................... 3, 5, 11
TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §24.011 .............................................................................11
TEX. PENAL CODE §19.03 ...........................................................................................2
RULES
TEX. R. APP. PROC. 52.10 .................................................................................... 13, 3
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
TEX. CONST. art. I, §12 .............................................................................................12
TEX. CONST. art. V, §8 .............................................................................................11
viii IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ____________ COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
No. _______________
RELATOR’S PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS _____________________________________________________
From the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas, Honorable Jim Wallace presiding in Cause Numbers 1411883 & 1437307 _____________________________________________________
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS:
Relator, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI respectfully submits this petition
for writ of mandamus an order of the 263rd District Court of Harris County, Texas,
the Honorable Jim Wallace presiding, denying issuance of Relator’s pre-trial writ
of habeas corpus. (Exhibits 2-4). A. The Parties
1. The Relator
Relator, MATHEW PAYAM SHALOUEI is the Defendant in criminal
action number 1411883 in the 263rd Judicial District Court of Harris County,
Texas. Relator is charged with the offense of capital murder. See TEX. PENAL
CODE §19.03. (Exhibits 1-2).
2. The Respondent
Respondent, Judge Jim Wallace, is the presiding judge of the 263rd District
Court of Harris County, Texas, the court in which Relator’s trial is scheduled.
B. Statement of the case
The Defendant was indicted in cause number 1411883 in the 263rd district
court of Harris County, Texas for the offense of capital murder. See TEX. PENAL
CODE §19.03. Based upon recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court,
Relator filed a pre-trial writ of habeas corpus alleging that the Texas capital
sentencing scheme for juveniles is facially unconstitutional. (Exhibit 3). The
Respondent issued an order denying issuance of Relator’s pre-trial writ. (Exhibit
4. A jury trial is preferentially set for June 26, 2015. (Exhibit 1).
2 C. Statement of jurisdiction
Section 22.221 of the Government Code authorizes courts of appeal to issue
writs of mandamus and other writs necessary to enforce their jurisdiction, issue
writs of mandamus agreeable to principles of law regulating such writs against a
judge of a district or county court in the appellate court’s district, and issue writs of
habeas corpus in certain other instances. See Tex. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221. In
addition, Rule 52.10 of the rules of appellate procedure specifically gives this
Court the authority to grant immediate temporary relief upon the filing of a petition
for writ of mandamus. TEX. R. APP. PROC. 52.10.
D. Issues presented
ISSUE ONE: DID THE RESPONDENT VIOLATE HIS MINISTERIAL DUTY TO ISSUE RELATOR’S PRE-TRIAL WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS?
ISSUE TWO: DOES RELATOR HAVE AN ADEQUATE REMEDY AT LAW?
3 E. Relief Sought
Relator files this petition for writ of mandamus, asking this Court to order
Judge Wallace to issue Relator’s previously filed writ of habeas corpus. Because
Respondent had no discretion in the matter, he had a ministerial duty to issue the
writ according to recognized procedure and process.
F. Statement of facts.
This petition for writ of mandamus results from Respondent’s failure to
perform his ministerial duty to grant issuance of Relator’s pre-trial writ of habeas
corpus. The trial court denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or
argument regarding appellant’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the
merits of those claims. (Exhibits 2, 4).
In an attempt to comply with the suggestion of Ex parte Hargett, 819
S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991), Relator presented his pre-trial writ of
habeas corpus to other district courts. The 179th district court and 230th district
court issued written orders also denying issuance of the writ. (Exhibits 6, 8).
4 Several other district courts were approached as well, but were unwilling to
participate in Relator’s shopping expedition.3
Relator regrets the timing of this writ of mandamus coming so close to the
start of trial. In addition to the delay caused by his shopping trip through the
district courts, Relator has been delayed in filing this mandamus due to the health
of the undersigned counsel.4
G. Argument and Authorities
1. Standard of review.
An appellate court has authority to issue writs of mandamus and all other
writs necessary to enforce its jurisdiction. TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §22.221(a); See
3 In his attempt to “shop around” for a district court willing to issue the writ, it was Relator’s distinct impression that the other district courts were less than enthusiastic about interfering with a case originating from another district court. 4 Undersigned counsel Shearer became afflicted with a MRSA staff infection on the bones inside his foot beginning in October of 2014 and has had multiple surgeries and hospital stays in an attempt to save the foot. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a serious staph infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant bacterium. See Colyer v. State, 428 S.W.3d 117 (Tex. Cr. App. 2014). The prognosis is good, but the undersigned is still undergoing medical treatment as of this date.
5 Wolff v. Thornton, 670 S.W.2d 764 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist] 1984, no writ);
Allen v. Guarino, 635 S.W.2d 129 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, no writ).
The extraordinary relief of mandamus will not generally issue unless the
result sought by the aggrieved party is “ministerial” in nature, as opposed to being
“judicial” or “discretionary.” State ex rel. Wade v. Mays, 689 S.W.2d 893, 898
(Tex. Cr. App. 1985). In State ex rel. Healey v. McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772 (Tex.
Cr. App. 1994) (orig. proceeding) the Court of Criminal Appeals stated that an act
is ministerial when the, “law clearly spells out the duty to be performed with such
certainty that nothing is left to the discretion or judgment.” State ex rel. Healey v.
McMeans, 884 S.W.2d at 774; see Texas Dept. of Corrections v. Dalehite, 623
S.W.2d 420, 424 (Tex. Cr. App. 1981). The Court further explained that while
mandamus is not a substitute for appeal, it may be used to correct judicial action,
“that is clearly contrary to well-settled law, whether that law is derived from
statute, rule, or opinion of a court.” Id.
Mandamus may also issue where a court has so clearly abused its discretion
that it amounts to a clear and prejudicial error of law. A trial court clearly abuses
its discretion if it reaches a decision “so arbitrary and unreasonable as to amount to
a clear and prejudicial error of law.” Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839 (Tex.
1994). In other words, an abuse of discretion occurs if a trial court acted without
6 reference to any guiding rules and principles. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators,
Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42 (Tex. 1985).
The resolution of factual matters is committed to the sound discretion of the
trial court, and the reviewing court may not substitute its judgment for that of the
trial court. Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 839. On the other hand, appellate review of a
trial court's determination of what the law is, or its application of the law to the
facts, is much less deferential. Id. at 840. Because a trial court has no discretion
in the matter, a failure of the trial court to properly analyze the law or apply it to
the facts will constitute an abuse of discretion. Id.; IMC Fertilizer v. O’Neill, 846
S.W.2d 590, 591 (Tex. App. - Houston [14 Dist.] 1993).
Mandamus is available when a trial judge enters an order without statutory
authority. In re State, 50 S.W.3d 100, 102 (Tex. App. - El Paso 2001, orig.
proceeding). An order entered without authority is void, and mandamus is the
appropriate remedy when a trial court enters a void order. In re Dickason, 987
S.W.2d 570, 571 (Tex.1998) (orig. proceeding); State ex rel. Holmes v. Third
Court of Appeals, 885 S.W.2d 389, 396 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994).
In a mandamus proceeding, the reviewing court must determine whether the
relator has an adequate remedy by appeal, and whether the respondent abused his
discretion. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839-40 (Tex. 1992); IMC
Fertilizer, Inc. v. O’Neill, 846 S.W.2d 590, 591 (Tex. App. - Houston [14th Dist.]
7 1993, orig. proceeding). Mandamus will not normally issue when there is a clear
and adequate remedy by a regular appeal, because mandamus is intended to be an
extraordinary remedy, available only in limited circumstances. Walker, 827
S.W.2d at 840. The writ usually issues only in situations involving manifest and
urgent necessity. Id.
Mandamus is the proper vehicle to review the Respondent’s actions in this
case. Relator is entitled to mandamus relief because Judge Wallace (1) failed to
perform a ministerial duty; and (2) Relator has no adequate remedy at law. See
Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1992)(original proceeding); In re Union
Pac. Resources Co., 969 S.W.2d 427, 428 (Tex. 1998) (orig. proceeding); In re
O’Connor, 92 S.W.3d 446, 450 (Tex. 2002) (orig. proceeding). Additionally, the
errors presented in this mandamus are of such importance to the jurisprudence of
the State that the Respondent’s actions require correction. Mandamus is the most
judicially economic way of correcting the trial court’s failure to perform its
mandatory, ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas corpus. Relator would be
forced to endure a void felony trial before being able to secure relief through a
normal appeal. See Stearnes v. Clinton, 780 S.W.2d 216, 225 (Tex. Cr. App.
1989)(Using “the appellate process in this situation to correct this particular ill
would be too burdensome and would only aggravate the harm and most likely
would result in a new trial compelling relator to again endure a trip through the
8 system.”); City of Highland Park v. Dallas Ry. Co., 243 S.W. 674, 681 (Tex. Civ.
App.- Dallas 1922, writ ref’d) (remedy must be “equally convenient, beneficial,
and effective as the proceeding by mandamus”). A regular appeal is not an
adequate remedy in this situation. See State ex rel. Holmes v. Third Court of
Appeals, 885 S.W.2d 389, 394 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994)(“In some cases, a remedy at
law may technically exist; however, it may nevertheless be so uncertain, tedious,
burdensome, slow, inconvenient, inappropriate or ineffective as to be deemed
inadequate.”).
1. The Respondent had a ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas corpus. Relator has a clear right to the relief sought.
In the recent case of In re Tyrone Allen, the Court of Criminal Appeals set
out the current standard to be applied in mandamus cases. See In re Tyrone Allen,
Nos. WR-82, 265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015). Mandamus
relief is appropriate only when a relator establishes (1) that he has no adequate
remedy at law to redress his alleged harm, and (2) that what he seeks to compel is a
ministerial act, not a discretionary or judicial decision. A relator satisfies the
ministerial act component when he can show that he has a clear right to the relief
sought. “A clear right to relief is shown when the facts and circumstances dictate
but one rational decision 'under unequivocal, well-settled (i.e., from extant
9 statutory, constitutional, or case law sources), and clearly controlling legal
principles.’” A ministerial act, by its nature, does not involve the use of judicial
discretion; it must be positively commanded and so plainly prescribed under the
law as to be free from doubt. While a trial court has a ministerial duty to rule upon
a properly filed and timely presented motion, it generally has no ministerial duty to
rule a certain way on that motion. It is proper to order a court to rule a particular
way only when the law invoked is “definite, unambiguous, and unquestionably
applies to the indisputable facts of the case.” In re Tyrone Allen, Nos. WR-82,
265-01, WR-82, 265-02 (Tex. Cr. App. May 13, 2015); see State ex rel. Healey v.
McMeans, 884 S.W.2d 772, 774 (Tex. Cr. App. 1994) (orig. proceeding) (an act is
ministerial when the, “law clearly spells out the duty to be performed with such
certainty that nothing is left to the discretion or judgment.” While mandamus is
not a substitute for appeal, it may be used to correct judicial action “that is clearly
contrary to well-settled law, whether that law is derived from statute, rule, or
In a habeas corpus proceeding, “there is a distinction between the issuance
of a writ of habeas corpus and the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an
application for that writ.” Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App.
1991). The writ is defined as an order issued by a court or judge of competent
jurisdiction, directed to anyone having a person in his custody, or under his
10 restraint, commanding him to produce such person, at a time and place named in
the writ, and show why he is held in custody or under restraint. TEX. CRIM. PROC.
CODE ANN. art. 11.01. In other words, the writ in a habeas corpus proceeding is
merely the formal order securing the presence of the person in custody.
This Court’s jurisdiction over appeals of pre-trial habeas matters is limited to
review of the trial court’s written order ruling on the merits of the application. See
Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991); Ex parte Wiley, 949
S.W.2d 3, 4 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 1996, no pet.). When a hearing is held on the
merits of an applicant’s claim and the court subsequently rules on the merits of that
claim, the losing party may appeal. Ex Parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex.
In the present case, the Respondent issued a written order denying issuance
of the writ. (Exhibit 2, 4). An examination of the record reveals that the trial court
denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding
Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.
Because the court did not consider and resolve the merits of appellant’s habeas
It is beyond question that the Respondent had a duty to issue the writ. Texas
district courts have constitutional and statutory authority to issue writs of habeas
corpus. TEX. CONST. art. V, §8; TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. §24.011; TEX. CRIM.
11 PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.05; Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 867 (Tex. Cr.
App. 1991). The Texas Constitution provides that the writ of habeas corpus is a
“writ of right.” TEX. CONST. art. I, §12. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
further provides that it is the duty of a district court, “upon proper motion, to grant
the writ under the rules prescribed by law.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art.
11.05. The writ “shall be granted without delay by the judge or court receiving the
petition, unless it be manifest from the petition itself, or some documents annexed
to it, that the party is entitled to no relief whatsoever.” TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE
ANN. art. 11.15. “Where one entitled to a writ of habeas corpus makes proper
application for it to the proper court having jurisdiction, said application
conforming to all the statutory requirements and probable cause being shown, the
writ of habeas corpus cannot be denied to the relator, for it then becomes a
constitutional right. Neither can it be denied where the granting of it is made an
imperative duty by statute.” Click v. State, 118 Tex.Crim. 404, 407-408, 39 S.W.2d
39, 41 (1931). Relator has complied with the requirements for such petitions. See
TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. art. 11.14. Judge Wallace had a mandatory duty to
issue the writ of habeas corpus returnable in Harris County, to let the writ be
served upon the sheriff of Harris County, and to timely to hear the merits of
Relator’s complaint. See TEX. CRIM. PROC. CODE ANN. arts. 11.05, 11.08, 11.10,
11.11, 11.27, 11.31, 11.40.
12 2. Relator has no adequate remedy at law.
Respondent denied issuance of the writ on the grounds that the Respondent’s
claim is not cognizable on a pre-trial writ of habeas corpus. (Exhibit 4). It is
important to note that Relator is not asking the Respondent to rule a certain way in
his case. There is a distinction between the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus and
the granting of relief on the claims set forth in an application for that writ. Ex
parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991). An applicant cannot
appeal from a trial court’s refusal to issue or grant a writ of habeas corpus, but may
appeal the denial of relief on the merits of the application. See Hargett, 819
At this juncture, Relator is only asking for the Respondent to issue the writ
according to recognized process and to make a ruling on the merits. See Ex parte
McCullough, 966 S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998) (“The Court of Appeals
and the State have confused cognizability with jurisdiction. Certain claims may
not be cognizable on habeas corpus, i.e., they may not be proper grounds for
habeas corpus relief. However, if the district court denies relief, regardless of the
underlying claims for the relief sought, the applicant may appeal.”); O'Donniley v.
Golden, 860 S.W.2d 267, 269 (Tex. App. - Tyler 1993, orig. proceeding) (“While
it is a basic premise that an appellate court lacks the power to compel a trial judge
13 to do a particular act involving or requiring discretion on his part, this Court is
empowered to order a trial judge to exercise his discretion in some manner.”); see
also In re Chavez, 62 S.W.3d 225, 228 (Tex. App. - Amarillo 2001, orig.
proceeding) (“[A]dmittedly, the need to consider and rule upon a motion is not a
discretionary act.”); In re Minnfee, No. 07-09-0005-CV, 2009 Tex.App. LEXIS
332, at *2 (Tex. App.-Amarillo Jan. 16, 2009, orig. proceeding) (unpublished)
(“[W]e cannot tell a trial judge how to rule on motions pending before them before
the trial judge himself rules on them.”).
It is well settled that a trial court violates a ministerial duty when it denies
issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. In re J.C.L., No. 10-11-00447-CV (Tex. App.
- Waco February 15, 2012, original proceeding) (“the trial court has a ministerial
duty to consider and rule on relator’s habeas corpus applications”) (unpublished);
In re Solis, No. 04-04-00050-CV, 2004 WL 1336266 (Tex. App.—San Antonio
June 16, 2004, orig. proceeding) (unpublished) (holding that defendant was entitled
to writ of mandamus ordering trial court to consider and rule on his habeas corpus
application).
There is no right of appeal from the refusal to issue a writ of habeas corpus
when the trial court did not consider and resolve the merits of the application. See
Ex parte Ainsworth, 27 Tex. 731, 732-33 (Tex. 1865); Ex parte McCullough, 966
S.W.2d 529, 531 (Tex. Cr. App. 1998); Purchase v. State, 176 S.W.3d 406, 407
14 (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.); Ex parte Okere, 56 S.W.3d 846,
850 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2001, pet ref’d); Ex parte Gonzales, 12 S.W.3d 913,
914 (Tex. App. - Austin 2000, pet. ref’d); cf. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866,
869 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (holding that if trial court reaches merits of habeas
corpus application, its ruling is appealable even if trial court refused to issue writ).
An examination of the record in the present case reveals that the trial court
denied issuance of the writ without hearing evidence or argument regarding
Relator’s claims, and without expressing an opinion on the merits of those claims.
(Exhibit 2, 4); See Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex. Cr. App. 2008)
(“A hearing held to determine whether a writ should issue or whether the merits of
claims should be addressed is not the same as one that is held to resolve the merits
of an applicant’s allegations.”); Hargett, 819 S.W.2d at 868. Because the court did
not consider and resolve the merits of Relator’s habeas corpus application, Relator
could not appeal. Had he done so, his appeal would have surely been dismissed for
lack of jurisdiction.
In general, the absence of the right of appeal satisfies the mandamus
requirement that the relator have no legal remedy. Rosenthal v. Poe, 98 S.W.3d
When a trial judge refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus or denies a
hearing on the merits, an applicant’s remedies are limited. The applicant may
15 either present the application to another judge having jurisdiction, or “under proper
circumstances” seek a writ of mandamus. Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868
(Tex. Cr. App. 1991) (citing Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App.-El
Paso 1980, orig. proceeding)); see Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tex.
Cr. App. 2008) (“Some remedies available to an applicant in that situation are to
present the application to another district judge having jurisdiction, or under proper
circumstances, to pursue a writ of mandamus.”); see Ex parte Hayes, No. WR-
77,189-01 (Tex. Cr. App. March 7, 2012) (unpublished) (Johnson, J., concurring)
(“If the district court does not rule or refuses to rule, [the applicant] may then file
an application for a writ of mandamus in the court of appeals and petition that
court to order the district court to rule on his properly filed application for a writ of
habeas corpus. Once he has a ruling, he may appeal it if he so chooses. If the court
of appeals denies relief on his application for a writ of mandamus, he may file an
Although the Court of Criminal Appeals has suggested that an applicant
“shop around” his writ to other district courts, several Courts of Appeal have found
this procedure to be impracticable. The Waco court of appeals found that the time
involved in trying to present a writ to another district court after its issuance has
been denied is an inadequate remedy. In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. -
Waco 1999, original proceeding). In Davis, the court held as follows:
16 Given the short period of time before the date for the second trial as scheduled by the Respondent, in which Davis would have to seek the requested relief, and the difficulties inherent in locating another district judge to rule on the merits of his habeas application and to then obtain appellate review in the event of a denial of the application, we conclude the theoretical habeas remedy available to Davis is inadequate in these circumstances.
In re Davis, 990 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App. - Waco 1999, original proceeding).
Other courts of appeal have ruled similarly. See Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609
S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding); In re Altschul,
236 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App. - Waco 2007, original proceeding); Thi Van Le v.
Perkins, 700 S.W.2d 768, 776 (Tex. App. - Austin 1985, orig. proceeding),
mandamus denied sub nom. Perkins v. Court of Appeals, 738 S.W.2d 276 (Tex. Cr.
App. 1987) (A remedy by appeal will not prevent the issue of mandamus if that
3. Mandamus is appropriate in these circumstances.
In Ex parte Hargett, 819 S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991) the Court of
Criminal Appeals cited Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. -
El Paso 1980, orig. proceeding) for the proposition that mandamus is appropriate
in certain circumstances where a trial court refuses to issue a writ of habeas corpus.
17 In Von Kolb, relator filed a pre-trial application for writ of habeas corpus sixteen
days before the court of appeals’ opinion. He made several unsuccessful attempts
to set a hearing date, but the trial court took no action on the application. The court
of appeals rejected the state’s argument that Von Kolb had the adequate remedy of
“shop[ping] around for a different forum which would take action on his
application for the writ of habeas corpus.” Id. at 656. The court conditionally
issued the writ, ordering the trial judge to act on the application. Id.
In an attempt to comply with the suggestion of Ex parte Hargett, 819
S.W.2d 866, 868 (Tex. Cr. App. 1991), Relator presented his pre-trial writ of
habeas corpus to other district courts. The 179th district court and 230th district
court issued written orders also denying issuance of the writ. (Exhibits 6, 8).
Several other district courts were approached as well, but were unwilling to
participate in Relator’s shopping expedition.
The Respondent had a ministerial duty to issue the writ of habeas, which he
did not do. Relator has no ability to appeal the Respondent’s decision. This Court
should, therefore, grant Relator’s writ of mandamus and order the Respondent to
issue the Relator’s pre-trial writ of habeas corpus and make a ruling on the merits.
See Von Kolb v. Koehler, 609 S.W.2d 654, 655-56 (Tex. App. - El Paso 1980, orig.
proceeding).
18 H. Prayer for Relief
FOR THESE REASONS, the Relator prays the Honorable Court of
Appeals will grant him a stay pending a hearing conducted by this Court, issue a
writ of mandamus directing Respondent to issue the Relator’s pre-trial writ of
habeas corpus, make a ruling on the merits of said writ, and grant Relator any and
all other appropriate relief.
Respectfully submitted,
By: /s/ R. SCOTT SHEARER R. Scott Shearer TBA No. 00786464 917 Franklin, Suite 320 Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 254-5629 (713) 224-2889 FAX ShearerLegal@Yahoo.com
19 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 9.4(i)(3)
Certificate of Compliance with Type-Volume Limitations and Typeface Requirements.
1. This writ of mandamus complies with the type-volume limitation of Tex. R. APP. Proc. 9.4(i)(2) and (3) because:
This writ of mandamus contains 4,099 words, excluding the parts of the mandamus exempted by Tex. R. APP. Proc. 9.4(i)(1).
2. This writ of mandamus complies with the typeface requirements of Tex. R. APP. Proc. 9.4(e) because:
this writ of mandamus has been prepared in a conventional proportionally spaced typeface using Microsoft WORD 97 version 7.0 in Garamond 14 point type.
21 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that a true and correct copy of the attached petition for writ of mandamus, motion for temporary relief, and record, has been served upon the Respondent and the State by EXPEDITED MEANS by e-mailing a copy of same to the following addresses on this the 23rd day of January, 2015:
HON. JIM WALLACE ERICA THOMAS BRICE, COORDINATOR 263RD DISTRICT COURT 1201 FRANKLIN, 15TH FLOOR HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 Erica_Thomas-Brice@justex.net
A.D.A. CLINTON MORGAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE APPELLATE SECTION HOUSTON, TX 77002 MORGAN_CLINTON@dao.hctx.net