Sifuentez, Mario ( 2019 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-89,522-01
EX PARTE MARIO SIFUENTEZ, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. CR-16-0669-A IN THE 428TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM HAYS COUNTY
Per curiam.
ORDER
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of driving while
intoxicated and sentenced to forty-five years’ imprisonment.
Applicant contends, among other things, that his counsel rendered ineffective assistance
because counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668 (1984); Ex parte Patterson, 993 S.W.2d 114, 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Ex parte
Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). In these circumstances, additional facts are needed.
2
As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial court is
the appropriate forum for findings of fact. The trial court shall order counsel to provide a
supplemental affidavit in response to Applicant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel
addressing, at a minimum, whether he determined if Applicant wanted to appeal. The trial court may
use any means set out in TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 11.07, § 3(d).
If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent.
If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an
attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. TEX . CODE CRIM . PROC. art. 26.04.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to whether Applicant
was denied his right to a meaningful appeal because Applicant’s counsel failed to timely file a notice
of appeal. The trial court shall make specific findings addressing whether trial counsel discharged
his duties in accordance with the requirements of Jones v. State, 98 S.W.3d 700, 703 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2003). The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and conclusions of law that it
deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant’s claim for habeas corpus relief.
This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues. The
issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order. A supplemental transcript containing all
affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter’s notes from any hearing or
deposition, along with the trial court’s supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall
be forwarded to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time must
be requested by the trial court and shall be obtained from this Court.
Filed: March 20, 2019
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