Steven Rolan v. the State of Texas ( 2024 )

IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-22-00296-CR
STEVEN ROLAN,
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
From the 249th District Court
Johnson County, Texas
Trial Court No. DC-F201900770
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Steven Rolan was convicted of three counts of Indecency with a Child—Sexual
Contact and sentenced to 20 years in prison in Counts One and Three and 15 years in
prison in Count Two. Because Rolan’s complaints on appeal are not preserved, the trial
court’s judgments are affirmed.
ARTICLE 38.072 NOTICE
In his first issue, Rolan complains the trial court abused its discretion in admitting
outcry testimony pursuant to article 38.072(b) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
because the State failed to give the “statutorily required notice” prior to the beginning of
trial. Specifically, Rolan complains that because no notice was given, the trial court’s
ruling allowing the admission of the outcry testimony violated Rolan’s right to due
process.
Many constitutional rights, including due process, may be forfeited for purposes
of appellate review unless properly preserved. Anderson v. State, 301 S.W.3d 276, 280
(Tex. Crim. App. 2009); Broxton v. State, 909 S.W.2d 912, 918 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995)
(holding that appellant failed to preserve his claim that he was denied the right to present
a defense and the right to due process and due course of law because he did not make
that objection at trial). To preserve an issue for appellate review, a party must make his
complaint to the trial court by a timely request, objection, or motion that states the
grounds for the ruling sought with sufficient specificity to make the trial court aware of
the complaint. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a). Rolan did not object on the basis of a due
process violation. He only complained at the conclusion of the article 38.072 hearing that
he did not receive notice. This was not sufficiently specific enough to make the trial court
aware of his complaint. Accordingly, Rolan’s complaint on appeal is not preserved, see
id., and his first issue is overruled.
DISPROPORTIONATE SENTENCE
In his second issue, Roland complains the trial court erred in cumulating Rolan’s
sentences because the cumulation order resulted in a disproportionate sentence which
amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.
A disproportionate-sentence claim must be preserved for appellate review. See
TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1); Rhoades v. State, 934 S.W.2d 113, 120 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996)
Rolan v. State Page 2
(noting that constitutional rights, including the right to be free from cruel and unusual
punishment, may be waived); see also Noland v. State, 264 S.W.3d 144, 151 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. ref'd) ("[I]n order to preserve for appellate review a
complaint that a sentence is grossly disproportionate, constituting cruel and unusual
punishment, a defendant must present to the trial court a timely request, objection, or
motion stating the specific grounds for the ruling desired.").
At the punishment hearing, Rolan did not assert a disproportionate-sentence
claim. After the jury’s verdict on punishment, the trial court announced that it was going
to take up the State’s motion to cumulate before sentencing Rolan. Rolan’s only response
was that Rolan had not had any prior convictions and would request a denial of the
State’s motion. Further, Rolan did not raise a disproportionate-sentence claim in his
motion for new trial or otherwise present a post-trial objection to the imposed sentence.
Accordingly, Rolan’s complaint on appeal is not preserved, see TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1),
and his second issue is overruled.
CONCLUSION
Having overruled each issue on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.
TOM GRAY
Chief Justice
Before Chief Justice Gray,
Justice Johnson, and
Justice Smith
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed June 13, 2024
Do not publish
[CRPM]
Rolan v. State Page 3