Mary E. Allen v. Wells Branch Self Storage

Opinion

ACCEPTED 03-14-00670-CV 5515528 THIRD COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 6/2/2015 4:04:16 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE CLERK NO. 03-14-00670-CV

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN 3rd COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS AUSTIN, TEXAS AUSTIN, TEXAS 6/2/2015 4:04:16 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE Clerk

MARY E. ALLEN, Appellant,

v.

WELLS BRANCH SELF STORAGE, Appellee.

On Appeal from the County Court at Law #2 Of Travis County, Texas

BRIEF OF APPELLEE

COUNSEL: Connie N. Heyer 1122 Colorado St. Ste. 313 Austin, Texas 78701 Telephone: (512) 474-6901 Facsimile: (512) 474-0717 E-mail: connieheyer@niemannlaw.com

Oral Argument Not Requested IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

Petitioner/Plaintiff:

Mary E. Allen

Counsel for Petitioner/Plaintiff:

Mary E. Allen, Pro Se General Delivery 823 Congress, Ste. 150 Austin, Texas 78701 Telephone: (512) 701-8080

Respondent/Counter-Plaintiff:

Wells Branch Self-Storage

Counsel for Respondent/ Counter-Plaintiff:

Connie N. Heyer Texas State Bar No. 00794373 1122 Colorado St., Ste. 313 Austin, Texas 78701 Telephone: (512) 474-6901 Facsimile: (512) 474-0717

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. STATEMENT OF FACTS ................................................................. 6

II. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT .......................................................... 7

III. ARGUMENT ....................................................................................... 8

A. NO JUSTICIABLE QUESTION WAS PRESENTED TO THIS COURT ............................................................................. 8

B. APPELLANT WAIVED ARGUMENT ON APPEAL ............... 10

C. EVEN IF A JUSTICIABLE QUESTION WERE PRESENTED AND APPELLANT HAS NOT WAIVED ARGUMENT ON APPEAL, APPELLANT DID NOT ARGUE ANY REVERSIBLE ERROR .................. 10

IV. CONCLUSION .................................................................................. 11

V. APPENDIX ........................................................................................ 13

A. TRIAL COURT’S JUDGMENT (C-1-CV-14-007235) ........TAB A

B. TEXAS RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 38.1 .......... TAB B

C. TEXAS RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 44.1 .......... TAB C

3 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

RULES

Tex. R. App. P. 44.1 ................................................................................. 7, 10

Tex. R. App. P. 38.1 ..................................................................................... 10

CASES

Benefit Trust Life Insurance Company v. Baker, 487 S.W.2d 406 (Tex. Civ. App.—Waco 1972, no writ) .......................................................... 7

Bullock v. American Heart Ass’n, 360 S.W.3d 661 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, pet. denied) ......................................................... 10

Chrysler Corp. v. Blackmon, 841 S.W.2d 844 (Tex. 1992) ........................... 9

Fiduciary Mortgage Co. v. City Nat’l Bank, 762 S.W.2d 196 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1988, writ denied) .......................................................... 9

Keyes Helium Co. v. Regency Gas Servs., L.P., 393 S.W.3d 858 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.) ................................................................ 10

Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co. v. McDonough, 734 S.W. 2d 66 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1987, no writ) ............................................................... 7

Mansfield State Bank v. Cohn, 573 S.W.2d 181 (Tex. 1978) ......................... 8

Point Lookout West, Inc. v. Whorton, 742 S.W.2d 277 (Tex. 1987) .............. 9

Wheeler v. Green, 157 S.W.3d 439, 444 (Tex. 2005) ................................... 8

4 STATEMENT OF THE CASE

This is an appeal from a judgment rendered by the County Court at

Law #2 of Travis County, Texas awarding damages for past-due self-storage

facility rent and attorney’s fees to Wells Branch Self Storage.

ISSUE PRESENTED

1. Did Appellant properly present a justiciable question that this

Court may rule on?

2. If Appellant’s brief is construed to present a justiciable question,

is there any reversible error?

5 I. STATEMENT OF FACTS

On April 16, 2013, Mary E. Allen, Appellant, and Wells Branch Self

Storage, Appellee, entered into a rental agreement whereby Appellant would

rent a storage unit from Appellee. Clerk’s Record at 51–55. Appellant

subsequently became delinquent on rental payments. Id. at 61.

In February of 2014, Appellant filed suit in Justice Court, Precinct Two

of Travis County, Texas seeking damages and alleging that all rent amounts

had been paid on time and that an employee of Appellee had stolen a rental

payment. Id. at 80–82. In April of 2014, Appellee filed a counterclaim

alleging breach of contract and requesting damages for unpaid rent and

attorneys’ fees. Id. at 49–55. On July 11, 2014, the Justice Court rendered a

judgment in favor of Appellee awarding damages and attorneys’ fees. Id. at

42.

Appellant filed a motion for new trial with the County Court at Law #2

of Travis County, Texas in September of 2014. Id. at 119–20. A jury trial

was not requested. Id. On October 16, 2014, the County Court at Law

rendered a judgment in favor of Appellee awarding damages and attorneys’

fees plus court costs and post judgment interest at a rate of 5% per annum on

all amounts due from the date of the judgment until paid. Id. at 122.

Appellant filed notice of appeal on October 22, 2014. Id. at 123.

6 II. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT

Appellant makes no point of error in her brief, but rather merely

summarizes what she believes to be the facts of the case. Appellant’s brief

did not even assert that the evidence is factually or legally insufficient to

support the judgment of the trial court, but had it done so a justiciable issue

still would not exist. A point of error in which the assertion is made that the

evidence is factually or legally insufficient to support the judgment of the trial

court does not present a justiciable question. Benefit Trust Life Insurance

Company v. Baker, 487 S.W.2d 406 (Tex. Civ. App.—Waco 1972, no writ). It

is essential that the complaint on appeal be with regard to specific special

issues and not the verdict generally. Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co. v.

McDonough, 734 S.W. 2d 66, 70 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1987, no writ).

Appellant did not request or file findings of fact and conclusions of law that

the trial court relied on in support of the judgment rendered. There are no

specific issues or findings of which Appellant complains, thus Appellant’s

appeal must fail.

Further, per Rule 44.1 of the Tex as Rules of Appellate Procedure, a

judgment may be reversed on appeal if the trial court made an error at law

that resulted in the rendition of an improper judgment or prevented the

appellant from properly presenting their case to the court of appeals.

7 Appellant’s does not argue that the trial court made any reversible error and

instead merely reiterates conclusory factual allegations previously made to the

trial court.

Therefore, this Court must affirm the trial court’s judgment because

Appellant presents no justiciable question to this Court. This Court must

affirm the trial court’s judgment even if Appellant has been construed to have

presented a justiciable question because Appellant does not allege any

reversible error.

III. ARGUMENT

A. No Justiciable Question Was Presented to This Court

While Appellant is a pro se litigant, Appellant must still comply with

applicable substantive laws and rules of procedure. See Mansfield State Bank

v. Cohn, 573 S.W.2d 181, 184 (Tex. 1978). Although the court may liberally

construe pro se pleadings and briefs, pro se litigants are still required to

comply with applicable laws and rules of procedure. See Wheeler v. Green,

157 S.W.3d 439, 444 (Tex. 2005). To allow otherwise would give pro se

litigants an unfair advantage over litigants represented by counsel. See

Mansfield State Bank, 573 S.W.2d at 184.

The standard of review to be used by this Court is whether the evidence

introduced at the trial court is legally and factually sufficient to support the

8 trial court’s judgment. See Chrysler Corp. v. Blackmon, 841 S.W.2d 844, 852

(Tex. 1992) (stating legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence is applicable

to an appeal of a nonjury trial). When a party appeals from a nonjury trial, it

must complain of specific findings and conclusions of the trial court that it

believes are in error, because a general complaint against the trial court’s

judgment does not present a justiciable question. See Fiduciary Mortgage

Co. v. City Nat’l Bank, 762 S.W.2d 196, 197–98, 204 (Tex. App.—Dallas

1988, writ denied) (requiring findings of fact and conclusions of law to be

requested or filed for there to be a justiciable question). If an appellant does

not request or file findings of fact and conclusions of law and does not

complain of a specific finding of fact, the court of appeals must presume that

all questions of fact were found in support of the judgment, and the reviewing

court must affirm that judgment on any basis. See Point Lookout West, Inc. v.

Whorton, 742 S.W.2d 277, 278 (Tex. 1987) (“Neither party requested

findings of fact and conclusions of law. Therefore, all questions of fact

should have been presumed found in support of the judgment, and the

judgment affirmed if it could be upheld on any basis.” (citing Lassiter v.

Bliss, 559 S.W.2d 353 (Tex. 1977)).

In this case, the Appellant did not comply with applicable rules of

procedure by failing to request or file findings of fact and conclusions of law

9 and does not complain of a specific finding of fact. As such, there is no

justiciable question for this Court to decide, and the court must affirm the trial

court’s judgment.

B. Appellant Waived Argument on Appeal

Appellant’s brief does not refer to or cite the record in any way. As such,

Appellant has waived any potential argument on appeal. Tex. R. App. P.

38.1(i). This Court has no duty to review a voluminous record without

guidance from an appellant to determine if an issue raised constitutes

reversible error. Keyes Helium Co. v. Regency Gas Servs., L.P., 393 S.W.3d

858, 861 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.); Bullock v. American Heart

Ass’n, 360 S.W.3d 661, 665 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, pet. denied) (appellate

court has no duty or right to perform an independent review of the record and

applicable law to determine whether there was error).

C. Even If A Justiciable Question Were Presented and

Appellant Has Not Waived Argument on Appeal, Appellant Did Not

Argue Any Reversible Error

On April 29, 2015, Appellant filed a hand-written brief with this Court.

Appellant’s brief merely reiterates the same unsubstantiated factual

allegations made previously by Appellant to the trial court.

10 Rule 44.1 establishes the standard for reversible error and states that a

judgment may be reversed on appeal if the trial court made an error at law

that resulted in the rendition of an improper judgment or prevented Appellant

from properly presenting her case to this court. Even viewing Appellant’s

brief in the most favorable light, none of Appellant’s arguments can be

construed as arguing that the trial court made an error at law that resulted in

the rendition of an improper judgment or prevented Appellant from properly

presenting her case to this court. Therefore, this Court must affirm the trial

court’s judgment because Appellant does not allege any reversible error.

IV. CONCLUSION

Appellee requests that this Court affirm the trial court’s judgment on

the grounds that Appellant has not presented a justiciable question or,

alternatively, that Appellant has not alleged any reversible error.

Appellee also requests all such other relief to which it may be entitled.

Respectfully submitted,

/S/ Connie N. Heyer __________________________ Niemann & Heyer, L.L.P Connie N. Heyer Counsel for Appellee Texas State Bar No. 00794373 1122 Colorado Street, Ste. 313 Austin, Texas 78701 Telephone: (512) 474-6901 Facsimile: (512) 474-0717

11 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been forwarded to Appellant at her last known address of record, via certified mail, return receipt requested on this ____ 29 day of _________, May 2015.

_______________________ /S/ Connie N. Heyer Connie N. Heyer Mary E. Allen, Pro Se General Delivery 823 Congress, Ste. 150 Austin, Texas 78701

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

I hereby certify on this ____ 29 day of _________, May 2015, that this document contains 1,280 words, which complies with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(B).

_______________________ /S/ Connie N. Heyer Connie N. Heyer

12 APPENDIX

Tab Document Description

A Trial Court’s Judgment (C-1-CV-14-007235)

B Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.1

C Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 44.1

File Server:CLIENTS:WellsBranchSelfStorage:Allen Appeal:BriefIT5-15.pdf

13 CAUSE NO. C-l-CV-14-007235

MARY E. ALLEN, § IN THE COUNTY COURT § Plaintiff, § T)

§ 3)

§ CD W v. § TRAVIS COU^fY, TElLASn § o_" — o -_j 72 § S1/ r~ .-to!' ~o 71 § • / > _!_ ;n ~j ,J '"- WELLS BRANCH SELF STORAGE, § CO ,-\

3?^; O § -0- "in

Defendant. § COUNTY COURT AT LAW Wt

JUDGMENT

On the 16th day of October, 2014, came to be heard the above titled and numbered cause. The Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant, MARY E. ALLEN ("ALLEN"), appeared in person and announced ready for trial. The Defendant/Counter-Plaintiff, WELLS BRANCH SELF STORAGE ("WBSS"), appeared with counsel and announced ready for trial. No jury was demanded and all issues were submitted to the Court. After hearing and considering the pleadings, evidence and argument, the Court is of the opinion and finds that Plaintiff, ALLEN, shall recover nothing from Defendant, WBSS; and also finds that Text the Counter-Plaintiff, WBSS, is entitledto judgment against Counter-Defendant ALLEN.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED by the Court that the said Plaintiff, MARY E. ALLEN, take nothing by the original claim.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Counter-Plaintiff, WELLS BRANCH SELF STORAGE, recover from Counter-Defendant, MARY E. ALLEN, as follows:

$1,441.00 unpaid rent; $__/_^_£_ attorney's fees; or $3ML ffO as total sum; plus court costs; and post judgment interest at a rate of 5% per pei annum on all amounts from the date of the judgment until paid, for which let execution issue

SIGNED this the 16th day ofOctober, 2014. Case # C-l-CV-14-007235

IIIIII Hill

TAB A Yfr Page 44 TEXAS RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

accurate copy to the clerk of the court in which the (2) Criminal Cases. If the clerk’s record or case is pending. reporter’s record has not been timely filed, the appellate court clerk must refer the matter to Notes and Comments the appellate court. The court must make whatever order is appropriate to avoid further Comment to 1997 change: The rule is new. delay and to preserve the parties’ rights.

(b) If No Clerk’s Record Filed Due to Appellant's Fault. Rule 37. Duties of the Appellate If the trial court clerk failed to file the clerk’s record Clerk on Receiving the Notice because the appellant failed to pay or make of Appeal and Record arrangements to pay the clerk’s fee for preparing the clerk’s record, the appellate court may — on a 37.1. On Receiving the Notice of Appeal party’s motion or its own initiative — dismiss the appeal for want of prosecution unless the appellant If the appellate clerk determines that the notice of appeal was entitled to proceed without payment of costs. or certification of defendant's right of appeal in a criminal case The court must give the appellant a reasonable is defective, the clerk must notify the parties of the defect so that opportunity to cure before dismissal. it can be remedied, if possible. If a proper notice of appeal or certification of a criminal defendant's right of appeal is not filed (c) If No Reporter’s Record Filed Due to Appellant's in the trial court within 30 days of the date of the clerk's notice, Fault. Under the following circumstances, and if the the clerk must refer the matter to the appellate court, which will clerk’s record has been filed, the appellate court may make an appropriate order under this rule or Rule 34.5(c)(2). — after first giving the appellant notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure — consider and 37.2. On Receiving the Record decide those issues or points that do not require a reporter’s record for a decision. The court may do On receiving the clerk’s record or the reporter’s record, the this if no reporter’s record has been filed because: appellate clerk must determine whether each complies with the Supreme Court’s and Court of Criminal Appeals’ order on (1) the appellant failed to request a reporter’s preparation of the record. If so, the clerk must endorse on each record; or the date of receipt, file it, and notify the parties of the filing and the date. If not, the clerk must endorse on the clerk’s record or (2) (A) appellant failed to pay or make reporter’s record — whichever is defective — the date of receipt arrangements to pay the reporter's fee to and return it to the official responsible for filing it. The appellate prepare the reporter’s record; and court clerk must specify the defects and instruct the official to correct the defects and return the record to the appellate court by (B) the appellant is not entitled to proceed a specified date. In a criminal case, the record must not be posted without payment of costs. on the Internet. Notes and Comments 37.3. If No Record Filed Comment to 1997 change: Former Rules 56 and 57(a) are (a) Notice of Late Record. merged. Subdivisions 37.2 and 37.3 are new.

(1) Civil Cases. If the clerk’s record or reporter’s record has not been timely filed, the appellate Rule 38. Requisites of Briefs clerk must send notice to the official responsible for filing it, stating that the record 38.1. Appellant's Brief is late and requesting that the record be filed within 30 days if an ordinary or restricted The appellant’s brief must, under appropriate headings and appeal, or 10 days if an accelerated appeal. The in the order here indicated, contain the following: appellate clerk must send a copy of this notice to the parties and the trial court. If the clerk (a) Identity of Parties and Counsel. The brief must give does not receive the record within the stated a complete list of all parties to the trial court's period, the clerk must refer the matter to the judgment or order appealed from, and the names and appellate court. The court must make whatever addresses of all trial and appellate counsel, except as order is appropriate to avoid further delay and otherwise provided in Rule 9.8. to preserve the parties' rights.

TAB B TEXAS RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE Page 45

(b) Table of Contents. The brief must have a table of (1) Necessary Contents. Unless voluminous or contents with references to the pages of the brief. impracticable, the appendix must contain a The table of contents must indicate the subject matter copy of: of each issue or point, or group of issues or points. (A) the trial court’s judgment or other (c) Index of Authorities. The brief must have an index of appealable order from which relief is authorities arranged alphabetically and indicating the sought; pages of the brief where the authorities are cited. (B) the jury charge and verdict, if any, or the (d) Statement of the Case. The brief must state concisely trial court’s findings of fact and the nature of the case (e.g., whether it is a suit for conclusions of law, if any; and damages, on a note, or involving a murder prosecution), the course of proceedings, and the trial (C) the text of any rule, regulation, ordinance, court's disposition of the case. The statement should statute, constitutional provision, or other be supported by record references, should seldom law (excluding case law) on which the exceed one-half page, and should not discuss the argument is based, and the text of any facts. contract or other document that is central to the argument. (e) Any Statement Regarding Oral Argument. The brief may include a statement explaining why oral (2) Optional Contents. The appendix may contain argument should or should not be permitted. Any any other item pertinent to the issues or points such statement must not exceed one page and should presented for review, including copies or address how the court’s decisional process would, or excerpts of relevant court opinions, laws, would not, be aided by oral argument. As required documents on which the suit was based, by Rule 39.7, any party requesting oral argument pleadings, excerpts from the reporter’s record, must note that request on the front cover of the and similar material. Items should not be party’s brief. included in the appendix to attempt to avoid the page limits for the brief. (f) Issues Presented. The brief must state concisely all issues or points presented for review. The statement 38.2. Appellee's Brief of an issue or point will be treated as covering every subsidiary question that is fairly included. (a) Form of Brief.

(g) Statement of Facts. The brief must state concisely (1) An appellee's brief must conform to the and without argument the facts pertinent to the issues requirements of Rule 38.1, except that: or points presented. In a civil case, the court will accept as true the facts stated unless another party (A) the list of parties and counsel is not contradicts them. The statement must be supported required unless necessary to supplement by record references. or correct the appellant's list;

(h) Summary of the Argument. The brief must contain a (B) the appellee’s brief need not include a succinct, clear, and accurate statement of the statement of the case, a statement of the arguments made in the body of the brief. This issues presented, or a statement of facts, summary must not merely repeat the issues or points unless the appellee is dissatisfied with presented for review. that portion of the appellant's brief; and

(i) Argument. The brief must contain a clear and concise (C) the appendix to the appellee’s brief need argument for the contentions made, with appropriate not contain any item already contained in citations to authorities and to the record. an appendix filed by the appellant.

(j) Prayer. The brief must contain a short conclusion (2) When practicable, the appellee's brief should that clearly states the nature of the relief sought. respond to the appellant's issues or points in the order the appellant presented those issues or (k) Appendix in Civil Cases. points.

(b) Cross-Points.

45 TAB B Page 52 TEXAS RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

(c) reverse the trial court's judgment in whole or in part Rule 44. Reversible Error and render the judgment that the trial court should have rendered; 44.1. Reversible Error in Civil Cases

(d) reverse the trial court's judgment and remand the (a) Standard for Reversible Error. No judgment may be case for further proceedings; reversed on appeal on the ground that the trial court made an error of law unless the court of appeals (e) vacate the trial court's judgment and dismiss the concludes that the error complained of: case; or (1) probably caused the rendition of an improper (f) dismiss the appeal. judgment; or

43.3.Rendition Appropriate Unless Remand Necessary (2) probably prevented the appellant from properly presenting the case to the court of appeals. When reversing a trial court's judgment, the court must render the judgment that the trial court should have rendered, (b) Error Affecting Only Part of Case. If the error except when: affects part of, but not all, the matter in controversy and that part is separable without unfairness to the (a) a remand is necessary for further proceedings; or parties, the judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered only as to the part affected by the error. (b) the interests of justice require a remand for another The court may not order a separate trial solely on trial. unliquidated damages if liability is contested.

43.4. Judgment for Costs in Civil Cases 44.2. Reversible Error in Criminal Cases

In a civil case, the court of appeals’ judgment should (a) Constitutional Error. If the appellate record in a award to the prevailing party the appellate costs — including criminal case reveals constitutional error that is preparation costs for the clerk’s record and the reporter’s record subject to harmless error review, the court of appeals — that were incurred by that party. But the court of appeals may must reverse a judgment of conviction or punishment tax costs otherwise as required by law or for good cause. unless the court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to the 43.5. Judgment Against Sureties in Civil Cases conviction or punishment.

When a court of appeals affirms the trial court judgment, (b) Other Errors. Any other error, defect, irregularity, or modifies that judgment and renders judgment against the or variance that does not affect substantial rights appellant, the court of appeals must render judgment against the must be disregarded. sureties on the appellant's supersedeas bond, if any, for the performance of the judgment and for any costs taxed against the (c) Presumptions. Unless the following matters were appellant. disputed in the trial court, or unless the record affirmatively shows the contrary, the court of 43.6. Other Orders appeals must presume:

The court of appeals may make any other appropriate order (1) that venue was proved in the trial court; that the law and the nature of the case require. (2) that the jury was properly impaneled and Notes and Comments sworn;

Comment to 1997 changes: Former Rules 80(a) - (c) and (3) that the defendant was arraigned; 82 are merged. Paragraph 43.2(e) allows the court of appeals to vacate the trial court’s judgment and dismiss the case; paragraph (4) that the defendant pleaded to the indictment or 43.2(f) allows the court of appeals to dismiss the appeal. Both other charging instrument; and provisions are new but codify current practice. Paragraph 43.3(a) is moved here from former Rule 81(c). Paragraph (5) that the court's charge was certified by the trial 43.3(b), allowing a remand in the interest of justice, is new. court and filed by the clerk before it was read Subdivisions 43.4 and 43.5 are from former Rule 82. to the jury.

44.3. Defects in Procedure

TAB C