Meru, Mark

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
• Decided: June 3, 2015
• Docket: WR-83,243-01
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS NO. WR-83,243-01

EX PARTE MARK MERU, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS CAUSE NO. 11-CR-3765-B IN THE 117TH DISTRICT COURT FROM NUECES COUNTY

Per curiam.

OPINION

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the

clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte

Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of burglary of a

habitation and sentenced to twenty-five years’ imprisonment.

Applicant contends that he was denied the opportunity to file an appeal. Counsel filed an

affidavit with the trial court. The trial court found his affidavit credible and determined that

Applicant did not have the opportunity to file an appeal. We conclude that there was a breakdown

in the system. Ex parte Riley, 193 S.W.3d 900, 902 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). 2

We find that Applicant is entitled to the opportunity to file an out-of-time appeal of the

judgment of conviction in Cause No. 11-CR-3765-B from the 117th District Court of Nueces

County. Applicant is ordered returned to that time at which he may give a written notice of appeal

so that he may then, with the aid of counsel, obtain a meaningful appeal.

It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel. Within ten days of the issuance of this

opinion, the trial court shall determine if Applicant is represented by counsel, and if not, whether

Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court

shall immediately appoint an attorney to represent Applicant on direct appeal.

All time limits shall be calculated as if the sentence had been imposed on the date on which

the mandate of this Court issues. We hold that, should Applicant desire to prosecute an appeal, he

must take affirmative steps to file a written notice of appeal in the trial court within 30 days after the

mandate of this Court issues.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional

Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.

Delivered: June 3, 2015 Do not publish