in Re: David George Baugh ( 2009 )

NO. 12-09-00120-CR

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

TYLER, TEXAS

IN RE: DAVID GEORGE BAUGH,

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RELATOR

§ ORIGINAL PROCEEDING

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MEMORANDUM OPINION PER CURIAM

In this original proceeding, David George Baugh seeks a writ of habeas corpus and a declaratory judgment alleging that he is being unlawfully detained by the sheriff of Cherokee County, Texas. We dismiss the petition.

The Texas Government Code provides as follows:

Concurrently with the supreme court, the court of appeals of a court of appeals district in which a person is restrained in his liberty, or a justice of the court of appeals, may issue a writ of habeas corpus when it appears that the restraint of liberty is by virtue of an order, process, or commitment issued by a court or judge because of the violation of an order, judgment, or decree previously made, rendered, or entered by the court or judge in a civil case. Pending the hearing of an application for a writ of habeas corpus, the court of appeals or a justice of the court of appeals may admit to bail a person to whom the writ of habeas corpus may be granted.

Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 22.221(d) (Vernon 2004). Thus, the original jurisdiction of courts of appeals to issue a writ of habeas corpus is limited to those cases in which a person's liberty is restrained because the person has violated an order, judgment, or decree entered in a civil case. Id. Consequently, courts of appeals do not have original habeas corpus jurisdiction in criminal law matters. Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833, 835 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 1999, no pet.); Ex parte Hawkins, 885 S.W.2d 586, 588 (Tex. App.-El Paso 1994, no pet.). In such matters, their jurisdiction is appellate only. Dodson, 988 S.W.2d at 835. Accordingly, we dismiss Baugh's habeas petition and request for declaratory judgment for want of jurisdiction.

Opinion delivered April 30, 2009.

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.

(DO NOT PUBLISH)