Steven Douglas Mason v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: May 22, 2019
• Docket: 04-18-00719-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

Fourth Court of Appeals San Antonio, Texas MEMORANDUM OPINION

No. 04-18-00719-CR

Steven Douglas MASON, Appellant

v.

The STATE of Texas, Appellee

From the 290th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas Trial Court No. 2017CR7672 Honorable Melisa C. Skinner, Judge Presiding

Opinion by: Irene Rios, Justice

Sitting: Patricia O. Alvarez, Justice Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice Irene Rios, Justice

Delivered and Filed: May 22, 2019

AFFIRMED

Pursuant to a plea bargain agreement, appellant Steven Mason pleaded nolo contendere to

the theft of a vehicle valued between $2,500.00 and $30,000.00. On October 23, 2017, the trial

court deferred the adjudication of guilt, placed Mason on community supervision for a period of

four years, and assessed a $1,000.00 fine. On June 5, 2018, the State filed a Motion to Enter

Adjudication of Guilt and Revoke Community Supervision and, on July 10, 2018, filed an

amended motion to adjudicate. On August 29, 2018, the trial court revoked Mason’s community

supervision and entered an adjudication of guilt. The trial court assessed punishment at two years’ 04-18-00719-CR

imprisonment with a $1,000.00 fine. Because we conclude this appeal is frivolous and without

merit, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Mason’s court-appointed appellate counsel filed a brief with this court representing that he

conducted a professional evaluation of the record and determined there are no arguable grounds to

be advanced on Mason’s behalf. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744 (1967). With

citations to the record and legal authority, counsel explains why he concluded the appeal is without

merit. Counsel states he reviewed the indictment and evidence adduced at trial, as well as the

record of the revocation hearing. The brief meets the requirements of Anders as it presents a

professional evaluation showing why there is no basis to advance an appeal. Id. at 744–45; Stafford

v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 509–10, 510 n.3 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807,

812–13 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1978).

Counsel provided Mason with copies of counsel’s Anders brief and motion to withdraw

and informed Mason of his right to review the record and file his own brief. See Kelly v. State,

436 S.W.3d 313, 319–20 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). Additionally, counsel advised Mason to file a

motion in this court if he wished to review the appellate record and enclosed a form motion for

that purpose. See id; Nichols v. State, 954 S.W.2d 83, 85–86 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997, no

pet.) (per curiam); Bruns v. State, 924 S.W.2d 176, 177 n.1 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1996, no

pet.). Thereafter, we set deadlines for Mason to file any motion for the record and any pro se brief.

Mason did not request access to the record or file a pro se brief.

After reviewing the record and counsel’s Anders brief, we conclude there is no reversible

error and agree this appeal is frivolous and without merit. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial

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court is affirmed, and appellate counsel’s request to withdraw is granted. 1 Nichols, 954 S.W.2d at

86; Bruns, 924 S.W.2d at 177 n.1.

Irene Rios, Justice

DO NOT PUBLISH

1 No substitute counsel will be appointed. Should Mason wish to seek further review of this case by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Mason must either retain an attorney to file a petition for discretionary review or Mason must file a pro se petition for discretionary review. Any petition for discretionary review must be filed within thirty days from the later of: (1) the date of this opinion; or (2) the date the last timely motion for rehearing is overruled by this court. See TEX. R. APP. P. 68.2. Any petition for discretionary review must be filed in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. See TEX. R. APP. P. 68.3. Any petition for discretionary review should comply with the requirements of Rule 68.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. See TEX. R. APP. P. 68.4.

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