Jessica Elaine Bright v. the State of Texas

• Court: Texas Court of Appeals, 4th District (San Antonio)
• Decided: February 18, 2026
• Docket: 04-25-00715-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

Fourth Court of Appeals San Antonio, Texas MEMORANDUM OPINION No. 04-25-00715-CR

Jessica Elaine BRIGHT, Appellant

v.

The STATE of Texas, Appellee

From the 274th Judicial District Court, Guadalupe County, Texas Trial Court No. 24-2943-CR-B Honorable Daniel H. Mills, Judge Presiding

PER CURIAM

Sitting: Rebeca C. Martinez, Chief Justice Irene Rios, Justice Velia J. Meza, Justice

Delivered and Filed: February 18, 2026

DISMISSED FOR WANT OF JURISDICTION

Appellant, Jessica Elaine Bright, was convicted of possession of a controlled substance,

penalty group 1, more than or equal to one gram less than four grams, on July 16, 2025. Thus, the

notice of appeal was due on August 15, 2025. See TEX. R. APP. P. 26.2. Appellant filed her pro se

notice of appeal on November 5, 2025. Additionally, the trial court’s certification of defendant’s

right of appeal in the record states that the case was “a plea-bargain case, and the defendant has

NO right of appeal.” 04-25-00715-CR

On January 6, 2026, we ordered appellant to show cause why this appeal should not be

dismissed for want of jurisdiction. We also advised appellant that if no satisfactory response was

filed within the time provided, we would dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction.

Appellant has not filed a response showing cause why this appeal should not be dismissed

for want of jurisdiction. The timely filing of a written notice of appeal is a jurisdiction prerequisite.

See Olivo v. State, 918 S.W.2d 519, 522 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996) (holding that timely notice of

appeal is necessary to invoke court of appeals’ jurisdiction). Additionally, the trial court’s

certification of defendant’s right to appeal shows the trial court did not grant appellant permission

to appeal, and we see no indication that appellant’s specific appeal is authorized by statute. See

TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2.

Accordingly, this appeal is dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

Do Not Publish

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