Ex Parte: Lisa Davis ( 2021 )

NO. 12-20-00252-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
§ APPEAL FROM THE 7TH
EX PARTE:
§ JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
LISA DAVIS
§ SMITH COUNTY, TEXAS
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Lisa Davis appeals the trial court’s denial of her application for writ of habeas corpus. In
one issue, Appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying her application.
We affirm.
BACKGROUND
Appellant was charged by indictment with possession of a controlled substance. On
April 4, 2019, Appellant, who was represented by counsel, was admonished and, pursuant to a
plea bargain, pleaded “guilty” as charged. The court deferred finding Appellant “guilty” and
placed her on community supervision for two years. Thereafter, the State filed a motion to
proceed to final adjudication based on allegations that Appellant committed several violations of
the terms of her community supervision.
Before the trial court ruled on the State’s motion, Appellant filed an application for writ
of habeas corpus pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 11.072, in which she
alleged that her previous trial counsel was ineffective during plea proceedings, which resulted in
her being placed on community supervision because (1) there was insufficient evidence to
support a conviction and (2) counsel failed to file a motion to suppress unspecified evidence for
unspecified reasons.
On November 6, 2020, the trial court signed an order denying Appellant’s writ
application, finding that: (1) Appellant’s plea of guilty and her sworn stipulation of evidence
constituted sufficient evidence of her guilt and (2) based upon offense reports contained in the
presentence investigation report, Appellant was detained due to a traffic violation and
subsequently consented to a search of her vehicle, which resulted in law enforcement’s discovery
of methamphetamine. The trial court further found that Appellant’s writ application was
“frivolous” and that Appellant was “manifestly not entitled to relief on said writ.” This appeal
followed.
DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
In her sole issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying her application for
writ of habeas corpus because (1) the trial court had no discretion but to issue the writ in
compliance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Articles 11.01, 11.02, 11.04, and11.072
§ 4(a), (2) the trial court improperly determined that the application was “frivolous” by failing to
limit its consideration to the face of the application and any documents attached thereto or,
alternatively, improperly denied the application on the merits without giving the State adequate
opportunity to respond and providing Appellant the opportunity to have an evidentiary hearing,
and (3) the trial court’s improper denial of Appellant’s application caused her harm. 1
Issuance of Writ
Appellant first argues that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to issue the writ
after she filed her application. Appellant previously made this same argument in her petition for
writ of mandamus, and which this court resolved in its opinion dated January 29, 2021. See In
re Davis, No. 12-20-00255-CR, 2021 WL 306201, at *1 (Tex. App.–Tyler Jan. 29, 2021) (orig.
proceeding) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
Under the law of the case doctrine, a court of appeals ordinarily is bound by its initial
decision if there is a subsequent appeal in the same case. Briscoe v. Goodmark Corp., 102
S.W.3d 714, 716 (Tex. 2003). The law of the case doctrine states as follows:
The “law of the case” doctrine is defined as that principle under which questions of law decided
on appeal to a court of last resort will govern the case throughout its subsequent stages. By
narrowing the issues in successive stages of the litigation, the law of the case doctrine is intended
to achieve uniformity of decision as well as judicial economy and efficiency. The doctrine is
based on public policy and is aimed at putting an end to litigation.
1
Appellant makes no argument with regard to the merits of her ineffective assistance of counsel claims.
See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1(i).
2
Id. Although an original proceeding is not an “appeal,” the law of the case doctrine applies
when an issue has been resolved on the merits in a prior mandamus proceeding, even though it
does not proceed to a court of last resort or the issues raised have not been resolved by a court of
last resort. In re United Servs. Auto. Ass’n, 521 S.W.3d 920, 927–28 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st
Dist.] 2017, no pet.). A decision rendered on an issue before the appellate court does not bar
absolutely reconsideration of the same issue on a second appeal. Briscoe, 102 S.W.3d at 716.
Application of the doctrine lies within the discretion of the court and depends on the particular
circumstances surrounding that case. Id.
In this court’s opinion on Appellant’s petition for writ of mandamus, we discussed the
same argument Appellant now makes on appeal as follows:
Article 11.072 “establishes the procedures for an application for a writ of habeas corpus in a
felony or misdemeanor case in which the applicant seeks relief from an order or a judgment of
conviction ordering community supervision.” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 11.072 § 1 (West
2005). An application filed under Article 11.072 “must be filed with the clerk of the court in
which community supervision was imposed.” Id. § 2(a) . . . . A writ of habeas corpus “issues by
operation of law” when the application is filed. Id. § 4(a) . . . .
When Relator filed her application for writ of habeas corpus in the trial court, the writ
issued by operation of law. See id. Respondent acknowledged the writ’s issuance by denying
Relator’s writ application. See Ex parte Villanueva, 252 S.W.3d 391, 395 (Tex. Crim. App.
2008) (writ effectively issued where trial judge did not formally issue writ but ruled on merits).
Because the writ issued by operation of law, Relator’s request to direct Respondent to issue the
writ is moot, and she is not entitled to mandamus relief as to this issue. See id.; see also In re
Bonilla, 424 S.W.3d 528, 534 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (there is nothing to mandamus when relief
sought is moot).
In re Davis, 2021 WL 306201, at *1.
Because Appellant now seeks to make the same argument in this appeal that she
previously made in her petition for writ of mandamus, we conclude that the law of the case
doctrine applies and, accordingly, again hold that the relief Appellant seeks is moot. See id.; see
also Briscoe, 102 S.W.3d at 716; In re United Servs. Auto. Ass’n, 521 S.W.3d at 927–28.
Method of Consideration and Timing of Denial of Application without Hearing
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion by determining that her
application was “frivolous” because it failed to limit its consideration to the face of the
application and any documents attached thereto. Alternatively, she contends that the trial court
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abused its discretion by denying the application on the merits before the State had an adequate
opportunity to respond and by failing to hold an evidentiary hearing.
Standard of Review and Governing Law
We review a trial court’s ruling on a habeas corpus application for abuse of discretion.
Kniatt v. State, 206 S.W.3d 657, 664 (Tex. Crim. App.2006); Ex parte Zantos-Cuebas, 429
S.W.3d 83, 87 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, no pet.). However, “appellate courts review
de novo those ‘mixed questions of law and fact’ that do not depend upon credibility and
demeanor.” Ex parte Peterson, 117 S.W.3d 804, 819 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003), overruled on
other grounds, Ex parte Lewis, 219 S.W.3d 335, 371 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); see also Ex Parte
Weinstein, 421 S.W.3d 656, 664 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014); Ex parte Pritzkau, 391 S.W.3d 185,
186 (Tex. App.–Beaumont 2012, no pet.). “[I]f the court’s application of the law to the facts
does not rest on factual findings, it is afforded no deference and we review de novo.” Ex parte
Roberts, 409 S.W.3d 759, 762 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 2013, no pet.).
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 11.072 “establishes the procedures for an
application for a writ of habeas corpus in a felony or misdemeanor case in which the applicant
seeks relief from an order or a judgment of conviction ordering community supervision.” TEX.
CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 11.072, § 1 (West Supp. 2021). Those seeking relief pursuant to
Article 11.072 are required to file an application for writ of habeas corpus with “the clerk of the
court in which community supervision was imposed.” Id. art. 11.072, § 2(a). “At the time the
application is filed, the applicant must be, or have been, on community supervision,” and the
application must challenge the legal validity of “the conviction for which or order in which
community supervision was imposed . . . .” Id. art. 11.072, § 2(b).
The trial court receiving the application is required to enter a written order granting or
denying the relief sought. Id. art. 11.072, § 6(a). “In making its determination, the court may
order affidavits, depositions, interrogatories, or a hearing, and may rely on the court’s personal
recollection.” Id. art. 11.072, § 6(b).
Section 7 of Article 11.072 establishes two procedures by which a trial court may dispose
of the application. See id. art. 11.072, § 7(a). The first procedure allows for summary dismissal
of facially frivolous applications. Id. Thus, “[i]f the court determines from the face of an
application or documents attached to the application that the applicant is manifestly entitled to no
relief, the court shall enter a written order denying the application as frivolous.” Id. Otherwise,
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a second procedure applies, and the trial court cannot rule on the application without entering
findings of fact and conclusions of law. Id.
Discussion
In this case, the trial court entered a written order denying the application as frivolous but
also entered written findings of fact or conclusions of law, in which it referenced its reliance on
evidence outside the face of the application and any attachments. Thus, we conclude that despite
its reference to the frivolity of Appellant’s application, the trial court proceeded with its denial of
the application under the aforementioned “second procedure” wherein it was required to make
and did make express findings of fact and conclusions of law in conjunction with its denial. See
id.
Appellant next argues that the trial court abused its discretion by denying her application
because, under Section 6(a), it is prohibited from ruling on the application and entering findings
until after the State has had an opportunity to file an answer. But Section 5(b) explicitly sets
forth that the state is not required to file an answer. See id. art. 11.072, § 5(b). Appellant’s
contentions to the contrary notwithstanding, the statute sets forth that the state has thirty days to
file an answer after it is served with the application, including the possibility of a thirty-day
extension. See id. art. 11.072, §5(c). If it does, the trial court then has sixty days from the date
of its answer to grant or deny the application. See id. art. 11.072, § 6(a). But no language in the
statute expressly prohibits the trial court from denying relief on the merits prior to the time the
state may file an answer, and we conclude that Appellant’s arguments that Section 6(a) mandates
that the trial court must wait until the State has had an opportunity to answer before it rules are
unpersuasive. See id.
Finally, Appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion by ruling on her
application before she could present and further develop evidence at an evidentiary hearing so
that she further could develop the evidence in support of her ineffective assistance of counsel
claims. We disagree. The language of Section 6(c) plainly indicates that, ordinarily, the trial
court’s decision to hold a hearing on an Article 11.072 application is not mandatory. See id. art.
11.072, § 6(c); Ex parte Faulkner, No. 09-05-00478-CR, 2006 WL 3094339, at * 3 (Tex. App.–
Beaumont Apr. 4, 2007) (orig. proceeding) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“Article
11.072, Section 6(b) clearly indicates that the decision by the trial court to conduct a hearing on a
defendant’s application is entirely discretionary”); but cf. Ex parte Franklin, 310 S.W.3d 918,
5
921–22 (Tex. App.–Beaumont 2010) (orig. proceeding) (holding that evidentiary hearing
required under Article 11.07 writ application on issue of actual innocence involving newly
discovered evidence with contradictory affidavits, but distinguishing its facts from application
brought under Article 11.072). Moreover, at least two of our sister courts have held that a trial
court is not required to hold an oral hearing in order to determine whether to deny an Article
11.072 writ application in which the applicant alleges ineffective assistance of counsel. See
Franklin, 310 S.W.3d at 922 (citing Ex parte Luciw, No. 03-08-00445-CR, 2009 WL 5150018,
at *4 (Tex. App.–Beaumont Dec. 31, 2009) (orig. proceeding) (mem. op., not designated for
publication)); see also Ex parte Cummins, 169 S.W.3d 752, 757 (Tex. App.– Fort Worth 2005)
(orig. proceeding). Therefore, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
declining to conduct a hearing on Appellant’s writ application.
Based on the foregoing, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
Appellant’s application for writ of habeas corpus under Article 11.072. Appellant’s sole issue is
overruled.
DISPOSITION
Having overruled Appellant’s sole issue, we affirm the trial court’s order denying her
application for writ of habeas corpus.
BRIAN HOYLE
Justice
Opinion delivered December 21, 2021.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.
(DO NOT PUBLISH)
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COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
JUDGMENT
DECEMBER 21, 2021
NO. 12-20-00252-CR
EX PARTE: LISA DAVIS
Appeal from the 7th District Court
of Smith County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 20-2443-A)
THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
trial court’s order.
It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the order
denying Appellant’s application for writ of habeas corpus of the court below be in all things
affirmed, and that this decision be certified to the court below for observance.
Brian Hoyle, Justice.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.