Jimmey Gene Jolly v. State ( 2003 )

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-02-00481-CR
Jimmey Gene Jolly, Appellant
v.
The State of Texas, Appellee
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF MCCULLOCH COUNTY, 198TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. 4685, HONORABLE EMIL KARL PROHL, JUDGE PRESIDING
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury found appellant Jimmey Gene Jolly guilty of delivering more than one-fourth ounce of
marihuana. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. ' 481.120(a), (b)(3) (West Supp. 2003). The jury assessed
punishment at incarceration in state jail for two years and a $1000 fine. In his only point of error, appellant
contends his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. The State agrees, confessing error. We will
reverse the conviction and remand for further proceedings.
Appellant raised the ineffective assistance issue in a motion for new trial filed after he
obtained new counsel. Appellant, his trial counsel, and the prosecuting attorney testified at the hearing on
the motion. Their testimony shows: (1) appellant wanted to request probation should he be convicted, (2)
counsel failed to inform appellant of a plea-bargain offer by the prosecutor for a probated sentence, and (3)
counsel recommended going to the jury for punishment, not knowing that it could not recommend probation
in this case. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.12, ' 4(d)(2) (West Supp. 2003).
The failure of defense counsel to inform appellant of the plea-bargain offer was an omission
that falls below an objective standard of professional reasonableness. Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,
795 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The proper remedy is to reinstate the plea offer and allow the defendant to
replead. Id. at 798.
The judgment of conviction is reversed, and the cause is remanded to the district court with
instructions to withdraw appellant=s guilty plea, reinstate the plea-bargain offer, and allow appellant to enter
a new plea to the indictment.
__________________________________________
Mack Kidd, Justice
Before Justices Kidd, Yeakel and Patterson
Reversed and Remanded
Filed: April 17, 2003
Do Not Publish
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