in Re: The Commitment of Jose Ovalle

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: December 22, 2004
• Docket: 09-04-00074-CV
• Status: Published

Opinion

In The

Court of Appeals

Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont

____________________

NO. 09-04-074 CV

IN RE COMMITMENT OF JOSE OVALLE

On Appeal from the 359th District Court

Montgomery County, Texas

Trial Cause No. 03-06-04437-CV

MEMORANDUM OPINION

The State of Texas filed a petition to commit Jose Ovalle as a sexually violent predator. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 841.001-.147 (Vernon 2003 & Supp. 2005). A jury found Ovalle was a repeat sexually violent predator who suffers from a behavior abnormality making him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence. The trial court entered a final judgment and order of civil commitment under the Act. Ovalle raises four issues on appeal.

In his first issue, Ovalle contends the judgment is void because the venue provision for commitment proceedings filed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code violates an express prohibition in the Texas Constitution. Section 841.041 places venue in Montgomery County for all petitions alleging sexually violent predator ("SVP") status. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.041 (Vernon Supp.2005). Article 3, section 56(b) of the Texas Constitution states: "The Legislature shall not, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, pass any local or special law authorizing . . . changing the venue in civil or criminal cases . . .." Tex. Const. Art.3, § 56(b). Ovalle argues the general venue law for civil cases can be applicable to SVP cases, and, thus, the legislature can not pass a special or local law placing venue exclusively in Montgomery County.

First, we must address the State's contention that Ovalle waived the issue. At trial, Ovalle made no objection to venue; instead, the issue is raised for the first time on appeal. A complaint regarding the constitutionality of a statute is subject to the ordinary rules of procedural default. Tien Tao Ass'n, Inc. v. Kingsbridge Park Community Ass'n, Inc., 953 S.W.2d 525, 532 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, no pet.). "[T]he constitutionality of a statute should be considered only when the question is properly raised and such determination is necessary and appropriate to a decision in the case." In re Doe 2, 19 S.W.3d 278, 284 (Tex. 2000). "The presumption is that a statute enacted by our Legislature is constitutional, and attacks on that presumption should generally be raised as an affirmative defense to enforcement of the statute." Id. (footnote omitted); see also Tivoli Corp. v. Jewelers Mut. Ins. Co., 932 S.W.2d 704, 708 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1996, writ denied) (state constitution-based challenge to visiting judge assignment section of Court Administration Act).

Ovalle contends the alleged illegality of the statute deprived the trial court of jurisdiction to decide the case. Jurisdiction is fundamental and can be raised at any time. Tullos v. Eaton Corp., 695 S.W.2d 568 (Tex. 1985). Appellant provided no authority holding a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an action filed pursuant to an unconstitutional local or special law. Assuming for the sake of argument that the legislative act placing venue of SVP commitments in Montgomery County is void, the appellant cites no precedent holding that no district court may have subject matter jurisdiction over a proceeding of this type, nor does he refer the Court to a case holding that improper venue is an issue of subject matter jurisdiction. A venue provision is not a substantive limitation on court power; it neither limits nor creates specific powers in a specific court. See Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Hafley, 96 S.W.3d 469, 473 (Tex. App.--Austin 2002, no pet.)(judicial review of administrative decision). Even if the place for filing suit were incorrect because the venue provision of Section 841.041 is void, the State nevertheless invoked the court's inherent power to exercise its judicial authority in the case, and the appellant failed to make the timely, specific objection required to preserve error for appellate review. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1. Issue one is overruled.

In issue two, Ovalle contends that section 841.082(d) is void for vagueness as it appears to mandate the trial judge to transfer jurisdiction "for purposes of appeal" to another district court, which would be a procedure not authorized by the Texas Constitution or the Texas Government Code. We recently addressed and rejected this argument. See In re Commitment of Lowe, NO. 09-03-475 CV, 2004 WL 2827140 at *5 (Tex. App.--Beaumont Dec. 9, 2004, no pet. h.). For the same reasons, we reject Ovalle's argument here. Issue two is overruled.

Issue three maintains the SVP statute is punitive and thus must comply with constitutional safeguards. We have addressed and rejected this argument in other cases. See Beasley v. Molett, 95 S.W.3d 590, 607-08 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2002, pet. denied); In re Commitment of Graham, 117 S.W.3d 514, 514-15 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2003, pet. denied); In re Commitment of Larkin, 127 S.W.3d 930, 931 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2004, no pet.); In re Castillo, 144 S.W.3d 655, 656 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2004, no pet.). For the same reasons, we reject Ovalle's argument here. Issue three is overruled.

In his fourth issue, Ovalle asserts certain portions of the SVP statute, as well as the final judgment and order of commitment are unconstitutionally vague and violate his due process rights.

Ovalle first maintains certain statutory provisions are constitutionally vague, namely, requirements imposed on the committed person under particular subsections of section 841.082(a). Ovalle preserved error regarding his vagueness complaints about the following subsections:

• •subsection (1) - the person must reside in a particular location;

• •subsection (4) - the person must participate in a specific course of treatment;

• •subsection (5) - the person must submit to tracking under a particular type of tracking service and to any other appropriate supervision;



• •subsection (9) - any other requirements determined necessary by the judge.

See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.082(a) (Vernon Supp. 2005). We have considered and rejected vagueness complaints about these subsections in previous cases, and for the same reasons reject Ovalle's argument here. See Beasley, 95 S.W.3d at 608-10; see also In re Commitment of Mullens, 92 S.W.3d 881, 887-88 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2002, pet. denied).

On appeal, Ovalle also attacks section 841.082(a)(8) for vagueness, but he failed to preserve this assertion for our review as required by Rule 33.1(a) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a). Thus, we do not consider his vagueness argument on section 841.082(a)(8).

Next, Ovalle maintains the commitment order is unconstitutionally vague. He refers specifically to the provision ordering him not to have contact with "potential victims." However, appellant failed to preserve this assertion for our review as required by Rule 33.1(a) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a). Thus, we do not consider his vagueness argument regarding the commitment order.

Next, Ovalle attacks certain requirements of the treatment and supervision contract, which he attaches to his appellate brief as Appendix B. However, this contract is not part of the appellate record. Materials attached to briefing, but not in the appellate record, cannot be considered by an appellate court. See Till v. Thomas, 10 S.W.3d 730, 733-34 (Tex. App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, no pet.); Tex. R. App. P. 34.1. Thus, we do not consider Ovalle's arguments regarding the treatment and supervision contract. Issue four is overruled. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

AFFIRMED.

________________________________

DON BURGESS

Justice

Submitted on November 18, 2004

Opinion Delivered December 22, 2004

Publish

Before McKeithen, C.J., Burgess, and Gaultney, JJ.