Smith, Lucille v. Zurich North America ( 2012 )

1)ISN1ISS; Opinion issued September 27, 2012
In The
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No. 05-12-00215-CV
LUCILLE SMITH, Appellant
V.
ZURICH NORTH AMERICA, Appellee
On Appeal from the Justice Court
Dallas County, Texas
Justice Court Cause No. JP0800409P
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices Morris, Francis, and Murphy
Opinion By Justice Francis
Appearing pro se, Lucille Smith appeals the justice court’s judgment. Because an appeal
from ajustice court lies in either the county or district court. not the court of appeals. we questioned
ourjurisdiction over this appeal and directed Smith to file a letter brief addressing our concern. See
TEX. Civ. PRAc. & REM. CODE ANN. § 51.001 (West 2008); Tejas Elevator Co. v. ConcordE/eva/or,
Inc., 982 S.W.2d 578, 578 (Tex. App.—Dailas 1998, no pet.) (mem. op.). Smith complied,
responding that the appeal should be heard in this Court because appellee Zurich North America ‘is
located.., in Dallas” and a “Dallas small claims court heard [hen small claim in Dallas.” Although
directed to file a response to Smith’s letter brief, Zurich failed to do so.
Our jurisdiction is fundamental and, subject to a few mostly statutory exceptions, can only
be invoked by the timely tiling of a notice of appeal Iiom a final judgment of a district or count
court. See TFx. CR. PR. & REM. ConE ANN § 51 .012 (West Supp. 201 2) Lehinann v. Jiar—( on
Corp., 39 S,W.3d 191. 195 (Tex. 2001); Carzav. H/hernia Nat’l Bank, 227 S.W.3d 233, 232 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1St Disti 2007, no pet.); K & S Interest i’. Tex. Am. Bank/Dallas, 749 S.W.2d 887,
890 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1988. writ denied). Smiths appeal trom thejustice court does not invoke
our jurisdiction. Accordingly. we dismiss the appeal. See TEx. R. App. P. 42.3(a); Te/as. 982
S.W.2d at 579.
I CI S
JUSTICE
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Appezt1
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JUDGMENT
LUCiLLE SM1T 11. Appellant Appeal from the Justice Court of Dallas
County, Texas. (Tr.Ct.No. JP0800409P).
No. O5-l2OO2l5-CV V. Opinion delivered by Justice Francis, Justices
Morris and Murphy participating.
ZURICH NORTH AMERICA, Appellee
In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, we DISMISS the appeal. We ORDER
that appellee ZURICIl NORTH AMERICA recover its costs, if any, of this appeal from appellant
LUCILLE SMITH.
Judgment entered September 27. 2012.
MOLLY iC IS
JUSTICE