Jerry MacK, Sr. and Jermac & Sons Construction v. John Halada and Janet Halada ( 1996 )

Mack TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN



NO. 03-96-00339-CV





Jerry Mack, Sr. and Jermac & Sons Construction, Appellants

v.

John Halada and Janet Halada, Appellees





FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 201ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT NO. 94-13126, HONORABLE F. SCOTT MCCOWN, JUDGE PRESIDING

Jerry Mack, Sr. and Jermac & Sons Construction (collectively "Mack") appeal from a money judgment recovered against them by John and Janet Halada on causes of action under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act ("DTPA") ⁽¹⁾ and the Residential Construction Liability Act ("RCLA") ⁽²⁾ following a judge-only trial. We will affirm the trial-court judgment.

THE CONTROVERSY

After their case-in-chief, the Haladas rested without adducing evidence in support of their claim for statutory attorney's fees. The trial judge pointed out the necessity for reopening the evidence if attorney's fees were to be recovered. The Haladas moved to reopen, the trial judge sustained the motion, and the evidence was introduced.

In points of error one and two, Mack complains the trial judge abused his discretion by becoming, in effect, an advocate. The record does not show that Mack objected to the trial judge's actions, however, and we may not consider the points of error unless the error was fundamental. See Tex R. App. P. 52(a); Allright, Inc. v. Pearson, 735 S.W.2d 240, 240 (Tex. 1987). An error is not fundamental unless the trial court acted without jurisdiction or the public interest, as reflected in the constitution and statutes of the state, is directly and adversely affected. See Cox v. Johnson, 638 S.W.2d 867, 868 (Tex. 1982) (per curiam). We conclude any error was not fundamental and overrule points of error one and two.

After the Haladas rested the second time, Mack moved for judgment as a matter of law on the ground that they had not established a prima facie case under the DTPA and the RCLA because there was no evidence that they had, by the requisite demand letter, notified Mack of their intention to bring the statutory causes of action. ⁽³⁾ The trial judge advised the Haladas regarding this essential element of their causes of action. The Haladas moved to reopen the evidence, the trial judge sustained the motion, and they offered in evidence the demand letter and testimony that Mack received the letter.

In point of error three, Mack contends the trial court abused its discretion by instructing the Haladas of the evidence needed to establish a prima facie case, becoming in effect an advocate in the case. See Fisher v. Kerr County, 739 S.W.2d 434, 437 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1987, no writ). The judge's action was not improper if permitted by law.

"[A]t any time the court may permit additional evidence to be offered where it clearly appears to be necessary to the due administration of justice." Tex. R. Civ. P. 270. The basic principle is that the adversaries be permitted to develop fully their case. See In re Estate of Johnson, 886 S.W.2d 869, 873 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1994, no writ). The applicable factors governing a trial judge's decision are as follows: (1) whether the proffered evidence is decisive; (2) whether receiving the new evidence will cause any undue delay; and (3) whether refusing to receive the new evidence will work an injustice. See Word of Faith World Outreach Center Church, Inc. v. Oechsner, 669 S.W.2d 364, 367 (Tex. App.--Dallas 1984, no writ). We hold the record does not show the trial judge failed to apply the basic principle, failed to assess the applicable factors, or gave one or more of them an exaggerated importance. Consequently, the record does not show the judge abused his discretion. See Landon v. Budinger, 724 S.W.2d 931, 938 (Tex. App.--Austin 1987, no writ).

Mack complains in addition that his motion for judgment as a matter of law was defeated by the trial judge's allowing the Haladas to reopen the evidence to introduce the letter. Had the judge sustained Mack's motion, however, this would not have precluded a reopening of the evidence thereafter, depending on the judge's assessment of the relevant factors. See McRoy v. Riverlake Country Club, 426 S.W.2d 299, 304-05 (Tex. Civ. App.--Dallas 1968, writ ref'd n.r.e.). We overrule point of error three.

For the reasons given, we affirm the trial-court judgment.

John Powers, Justice

Before Justices Powers, Aboussie and Jones

Affirmed

Filed: December 19, 1996

Do Not Publish

1.   Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.41 et. seq. (West 1987 & Supp. 1997).

2. Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 27.003 (West Supp. 1997).

3. ³  See Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 17.505 (West Supp. 1997); Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 27.004 (West Supp. 1997).

> and the Residential Construction Liability Act ("RCLA") ⁽²⁾ following a judge-only trial. We will affirm the trial-court judgment.

THE CONTROVERSY

After their case-in-chief, the Haladas rested without adducing evidence in support of their claim for statutory attorney's fees. The trial judge pointed out the necessity for reopening the evidence if attorney's fees were to be recovered. The Haladas moved to reopen, the trial judge sustained the motion, and the evidence was introduced.

In points of error one and two, Mack complains the trial judge abused his discretion by becoming, in effect, an advocate. The record does not show that Mack objected to the trial judge's actions, however, and we may not consider the points of error unless the error was fundamental. See Tex R. App. P. 52(a); Allright, Inc. v. Pearson, 735 S.W.2d 240, 240 (Tex. 1987). An error is not fundamental unless the trial court acted without jurisdiction or the public interest, as reflected in the constitution and statutes of the state, is directly and adversely affected. See Cox v. Johnson, 638 S.W.2d 867, 868 (Tex. 1982) (per curiam). We conclude any error was not fundamental and overrule points of error one and two.

After the Haladas rested the second time, Mack moved for judgment as a matter of law on the ground that they had not established a prima facie case under the DTPA and the RCLA because there was no evidence that they had, by the requisite demand letter, notified Mack of their intention to bring the statutory causes of action. ⁽³⁾ The trial judge advised the Haladas regarding this essential element of their causes of action. The Haladas moved to reopen the evidence, the trial judge sustained the motion, and they offered in evidence the demand letter and testimony that Mack received the letter.

In point of error three, Mack contends the trial court abused its discretion by instructing the Haladas of the evidence needed to establish a prima facie case, becoming in effect an advocate in the case. See Fisher v. Kerr County, 739 S.W.2d 434, 437 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1987, no writ). The judge's action was not improper if permitted by law.

"[A]t any time the court may permit additional evidence to be offered where it clearly appears to be necessary to the due administration of justice." Tex. R. Civ. P. 270. The basic principle is that the adversaries be permitted to develop fully their case. See In re Estate of Johnson, 886 S.W.2d 869, 873 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1994, no writ). The applicable factors governing a trial judge's decision are as follows: (1) whether the proffered evidence is decisive; (2) whether receiving the new evidence will cause any undue delay; and (3) whether refusing to receive the new evidence will work an injustice. See Word of Faith World Outreach