in the Matter of J.C.

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: October 7, 2015
• Docket: 14-15-00696-CV
• Status: Published

Opinion

ACCEPTED 14-15-00696-CV FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS 10/7/2015 8:20:53 AM The Love DuCote Law Firm CHRISTOPHER PRINE CLERK A Limited Liability Company Leigh Love 4610 Sweetwater Blvd., Suite 210 Jeremy B. DuCote Attorney at Law Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Attorney at Law Ldgh@lQveducoleiawx(.>m 832.471.690a phone iejejny^loYeducoteWaiQm 832.553.7765 facsimile FILED IN 14th COURT OF APPEALS HOUSTON, TEXAS October 6, 2015 10/7/2015 8:20:53 AM CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE Via E-Filing Clerk Fourteenth Court of Appeals 301 Fannin, Room 245 H o u s t o n , Te x a s 7 7 0 0 2

Re: 14-15-00696-CV; In the Court of Appeals for the F o u r t e e n t h D i s t r i c t a t H o u s t o n , Te x a s ; I n R e J , C . f A p p e l l a n t v s . T h e S t a t e o f Te x a s ^ A p p e l l e e , O n Appeal from the County Court at Law No. Four (4), S i t t i n g a s a J u v e n i l e C o u r t , o f F o r t B e n d C o u n t y, Te x a s , C a u s e N o . 1 4 - C J V - 0 1 8 9 0 9

Dear Justices:

Please allow this letter to serve as Appellant's response to your request regarding whether the 14^^ Court of Appeals' appellate jurisdiction was properly invoked.

APPELLANT INVOKED THIS HONORABLE COURT'S A P P E L L AT E JURISDCITION

T h e q u e s t i o n p r e s e n t e d i s w h e t h e r A p p e l l a n t fi l e d written notice of appeal. This Court notes in its letter to appellate counsel on September 23, 2015, that t h e C l e r k ' s R e c o r d fi l e d S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 5 , r e fl e c t s the trial court entered an order memorializing appellant's oral notice of appeal which was given by Appellant on May 13, 2015. However, in addition to the court receiving oral notice of appeal, the court also received written notice of appeal on May 18, 2015, when Appellant fi l e d Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel. See Appellant's Exhibit A, attached hereto.

In said motion, trial counsel informed the court of Respondent's intent to appeal his case. S p e c i fi c a l l y , the motion states, "[t]he Respondent has communicated to his attorney of record a desire to appeal this case to the Court of Appeals...." See Exhibit A. This notice of appeal was included in the body of a motion entitled "Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel," but n o n e t h e l e s s s a t i s fi e s t h e n o t i c e r e q u i r e m e n t s o u t l i n e d i n t h e Te x a s R u l e s o f A p p e l l a t e P r o c e d u r e .

A P P E L A N T G A V E T I M E L Y, W R I T T E N N O T I C E O F A P P E A L

The notice of appeal in the instant case is proper because it comports with the rule governing the direct a p p e a l o f a c r i m i n a l c a s e , n a m e l y Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 , e t . s e q . S p e c i fi c a l l y , t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f T e x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 a r e s a t i s fi e d b e c a u s e t h e n o t i c e o f a p p e a l a t i s s u e ( 1 ) w a s t i m e l y fi l e d ; ( 2 ) i s i n w r i t i n g , ( 3 ) s p e c i fi e s R e s p o n d e n t ' s d e s i r e t o a p p e a l , a n d ( 4 ) w a s fi l e d w i t h t h e t r i a l c o u r t . ( S e e T e x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 ( c ) . F o r m a n d S u f fi c i e n c y o f N o t i c e , stating that (1) "notice must be given in writing and fi l e d w i t h t h e t r i a l c o u r t c l e r k " a n d ( 2 ) " n o t i c e i s s u f fi c i e n t i f i t s h o w s t h e p a r t y ' s d e s i r e t o a p p e a l f r o m t h e j u d g m e n t o r o t h e r a p p e a l a b l e o r d e r. . . . " ) .

Moreover, a "general" notice is s u f fi c i e n t if the appeal is from a judgment rendered by a jury or judge after a trial, which is what transpired in the case at bar. Thus, the appeal was perfected when trial counsel t i m e l y fi l e d i t o n M a y 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 .

APPELLANT MADE A BONA FIDE AT T M E P T TO INVOKE

THIS COURT'S A P P E L L AT E JURSIDICTION

It is a well-settled proposition that a court of appeals has jurisdiction over an appeal if the a p p e l l a n t t i m e l y fi l e s a n i n s t r u m e n t i n a b o n a fi d e attempt to invoke the appellate court's jurisdiction. Ve r b u r g t v. D o r n e r, 9 5 9 S W 2 d 6 1 5 ( 1 9 9 7 ) . Ve r b u r g t a l s o r e a f fi r m s t h e p r i n c i p l e t h a t " a p p e l l a t e c o u r t s s h o u l d not dismiss an appeal for a procedural defect whenever any arguable interpretation of the Rules of Appellate p r o c e d u r e s h o u l d p r e s e r v e t h e a p p e a l . " C l e a r l y, A p p e l l a n t m a d e a b o n e fi d e a t t e m p t t o i n v o k e t h i s H o n o r a b l e C o u r t ' s j u r i s d i c t i o n w h e n h e fi l e d a m o t i o n w h i c h s p e c i fi c a l l y s t a t e d t h a t h e h a s " a d e s i r e t o appeal this case to the Court of Appeals." See Exhibit A .

It is abundantly clear that all of the parties involved have knowledge that Appellant timely expressed his desire to appeal when the Motion to Substitute Counsel and the the trial court's order memorializing appellant's oral notice of appeal given on May 13, 2015, are reviewed. Based on the foregoing, it is also clear that this Honorable Court's jurisdiction was p r o p e r l y i n v o k e d . A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e A p p e l l a n t i n t h i s c a s e i s a j u v e n i l e . C e r t a i n l y, additional latitude should be given in matters concerning juveniles, especially since the courts have a duty to protect children's rights.

AMENDED NOTICE OF APPEAL

Should this Honorable Court determine that the notice of appeal is defective simply because it was not labeled "Notice of Appeal" or is defective for some o t h e r r e a s o n . R e s p o n d e n t r e s p e c t f u l l y fi l e s a n a m e n d e d n o t i c e o f a p p e a l p u r s u a n t t o Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 ( f ) a n d Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 3 7 . 1 . R e s p o n d e n t c o n t e n d s h i s a m e n d e d n o t i c e i s p r o p e r a n d t i m e l y fi l e d b e c a u s e i t i s fi l e d p r i o r t o t h e fi l i n g o f A p p e l l a n t ' s b r i e f . S e e Appellant's Exhibit B, attached hereto.

In accordance with Appellant's contention, the Court of Criminal Appeals stated that "[f]or judges, defendants, and prosecutors to err is human, but to r e p a i r i s n o w p o s s i b l e . T h e Te x a s R u l e s o f A p p e l l a t e Procedure were amended in 2002 to prevent trivial, repairable mistakes or defects from divesting appellate courts of jurisdiction to consider the merits of both State and defense appeals in criminal cases. Defective notices of appeal many now be amended 'at any time b e f o r e t h e a p p e a l i n g p a r t y ' s b r i e f i s fi l e d , " ' F e w v . S t a t e , 2 3 0 S . W . S d 1 8 4 , 1 8 7 ( Te x . C r i m . A p p . 2 0 0 3 ) c i t i n g Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 ( f ) . S e e A l s o G r a n d P r a i r i e I n d e p e n d e n t S c h o o l D i s t r i c t v. S . P a r t s I m p s . , I n c . , 8 1 3 S . W . 2 d 4 9 9 , 5 0 0 ( Te x . 1 9 9 1 ) ( h o l d i n g t h a t a court of appeals may not dismiss an appeal in which the a p p e l l a n t fi l e d t h e w r o n g i n s t r u m e n t r e q u i r e d t o perfect the appeal without giving the appellant an opportunity to correct the error, as long as the i n s t r u m e n t w a s t i m e l y fi l e d i n a b o n a fi d e a t t e m p t t o invoke the appellate court's jurisdiction.) If the courts are going out of their way to not infringe upon a defendant's constitutional right to appeal, then again, even more deference should be given to a child's constitutional right to appeal, especially when the child has been subjected to the loss of his liberty and h a s b e e n i n s t i t u t i o n a l l y c o n fi n e d , a s i n t h e c a s e a t b a r .

Appellant respectfully requests that this Honorable C o u r t r e c o g n i z e h i s t i m e l y - fi l e d , o r i g i n a l n o t i c e o f appeal given in his Motion to Substitute Counsel. In the alternative, should this Court fi n d that the original notice was defective. Appellant respectfully requests this Court to allow him the opportunity to cure any defect and recognize his Amended Notice of Appeal.

Furthermore, should this Honorable Court desire additional information or have further questions, Appellant respectfully requests the opportunity for f o r m a l b r i e fi n g a n d a r g u m e n t o n t h e m a t t e r b e f o r e t h i s Court makes its fi n a l decision.

Respectfully submitted.

Attorney at Law cc: John Harrity Counsel for Appellee F o r t B e n d C o u n t y D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y ' s O f fi c e via email to John.Harrity@fortbendcountytx.gov h)(KIB/T A 14-GW-018S09 M08U MoSsn on SttbtStulIofl 88922S7

CAUSE NO. 14-CJV-018909

IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 4

SITTING AS A JUVENILE COURT

A JUVENILE FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS

R E S P O N D E N T ' S M O T I O N TO S U B S T I T U T E C O U N S E L

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT;

COMES NOW, Jonathan Casey, Respondent in the above-styled and numbered cause, by and through his attorney of record, Andrew Dombuig, and moves this Honorable Court, to grant this Motion to Substitute Counsel and new appellate counsel. In support of said motion.

Respondent would show the following:

A. Background

The Respondent stands adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct by

committing the offense of Aggravated Robbery on or about May 2, 2014. The Respondent's case was concluded after the disposition phase of trial on May 13,2015.

B. Request to Substitute Connscl

The Respondent has communicated to his attorney of record a desire to appeal this case

to the Court of Appeals, and therefore is requesting appellate counsel be appointed. To avoid

any possible conflict, his attorney of record requests that new appellate counsel be appointed to

represent the Respondent at the appellate level. u o

p r a y e r

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Respondent moves this Honorable Court to

grant Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel, and for all other relief, either in law or in

equity, to which Respondent may be entitled.

By: V/ Andrew Domburg State Bar Id. 24049861 201 Jackson St., 2"^ Floor Richmond, Texas 77469 (832) 449-6116 Office (832) 553-7273 Facsimile AT T O R N E Y F O R R E S P O N D E N T

C E R T I F I C AT E O F S E R V I C E

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the Respondent's Motion for Continuance was served upon the Assistant District Attorney of Fort Bend County on this the 18^ day of May, 2015 as set forth below:

Via Hand Delivery

- < 5 3 iV S •

s r tV^HIBlT B

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE F O U R T E E N T H D I S T R I C T AT H O U S T O N T E X A S

NO. 14-15-00696-CV

J O N AT H A N CASEY On Appeal from fhe County Appellant, Court at Law No. Four

(4), Sitting as a

Juvenile Court, Fort

B e n d C o u n t y , Te x a s

Cause #14-CJV-018909

THE S TAT E OF TEXAS

Appellee

APPELLANT'S AMENDED NOTICE OF APPEAL

141500696CV Amended Notice of Appeal CASEY TO T H E H O N O R A B L E J U D G E O F S A I D C O U RT:

N o w c o m e s J o n a t h a n C a s e y, A p p e l l a n t i n t h e a b o v e -

styled and numbered cause, and gives this amended

written notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals of the

S t a t e o f Te x a s f r o m t h e j u d g m e n t o f c o n v i c t i o n a n d

sentence herein rendered against Jonathan Casey.

Appellant further shows that written notice of

appeal was effected by providing notice within

R e s p o n d e n t ' s M o t i o n t o S u b s t i t u t e C o u n s e l fi l e d o n M a y

18, 2015 by ANDREW DORNBURG, Appellant's trial attorney

of record, attached as Exhibit A.

The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC 4610 Sweetwater Blvd. Suite 210 S u g a r L a n d , Te x a s 7 7 4 7 9 832.471.6904 phone 832.553.7765 facsimile

LEIGH L State B&r No. 2^4058364 leigh@loveducotelaw.com

AT TO R N E Y FOR APPELLANT J O N AT H A N CASEY

141500696CV Amended Notice of Appeal CASEY C E R T I F I C AT E O F S E R V I C E

This is to certify that on October 6^^/ 2015, a true

and correct copy of the above and foregoing document

w a s s e r v e d o n t h e D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y ' s O f fi c e , F o r t B e n d

C o u n t y , 1 4 2 2 E u g e n e H e i m a n n C i r c l e , R i c h m o n d , Te x a s

77469, by facsimile transmission to 281.341.4440 and by

e m a i l t o J o h n . H a r r i t y @ f o r t b e n d c o u n t y t x . g o v.

141500696CV |Amended Notice of Appeal |CASEY E X H I B I TA 14-CJV-018909 M08U Motion on Substitution 35922S7

I N T H E M AT T E R O F C O U N T Y C O U RT AT L AW N O . 4

RESPONDENT'S MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE COUNSEL

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:

COMES NOW, Jonathan Casey, Respondent in the above-styled and numbered cause, by

and through his attorney of record, Andrew Domburg, and moves this Honorable Court, to grant

this Motion to Substitute Coimsel and new appellate coimsel. In support of said motion,

The Respondent stands adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct by

committing the offense of Aggravated Robbery on or about May 2, 2014. The Respondent's

case was concluded after the disposition phase of trial on May 13,2015.

B. Request to Substitute Counsel

The Respondent has communicated to his attorney of record a desire to appeal this case

to the Court of Appeals, and therefore is requesting appellate counsel be appointed. To avoid

any possible conflict, his attorney of record requests that new appellate counsel be appointed to

represent the Respondent at the appellate level. PRAYER

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Respondent moves this Honorable Court to

grant Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel, and for all other relief, either in law or in

By:i:r IZZ Andrew Dombfarg State Bar Id, 24049861 201 Jackson St., 2"^ Floor Richmond, Texas 77469 (832) 449-6116 Office (832) 553-7273 Facsimile AT T O R N E Y F O R R E S P O N D E N T

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the Respondent's Motion for Continuance was served upon the Assistant District Attorney of Fort Bend County on this the 18*'' day of May, 2015 as set forth below:

)!¥ 1