in Re: Paul A. Propes, Jr.

DENY and Opinion Filed April 15, 2021
S In The
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
No. 05-21-00198-CV
IN RE PAUL A. PROPES, JR., Relator
Original Proceeding from the 199th Judicial District Court
Collin County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 199-82537-08
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices Molberg, Reichek, and Smith
Opinion by Justice Smith
In this petition for writ of mandamus, Paul A. Propes, Jr., asks this Court to
compel the trial court to rule on his “bill of review under article 42.01” of the Texas
Code of Criminal Procedure. We deny relator’s requested relief.
A petition seeking mandamus relief must contain a certification stating that
the relator “has reviewed the petition and concluded that every factual statement in
the petition is supported by competent evidence included in the appendix or record.”
TEX. R. APP. P. 52.3(j). The Court requires relator’s certification to state substantially
what is written in rule 52.3(j). See In re Butler, 270 S.W.3d 757, 758 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2008, orig. proceeding); see also In re Hughes, 607 S.W.3d 136, 137 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] orig. proceeding) (dismissing case for deficiencies in
mandamus petition).
Furthermore, to obtain mandamus relief, relator must file with his petition a
sufficient record to establish his right to mandamus relief. Walker v. Packer, 827
S.W.2d 833, 837 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding). Specifically, rule 52.3(k)(1)(A)
requires he file an appendix with his petition that contains “a certified or sworn copy
of any order complained of, or any other document showing the matter complained
of.” TEX. R. APP. P. 52.3(k)(1)(A). And rule 52.7(a)(1) requires the relator to file
with the petition “a certified or sworn copy of every document that is material to the
relator’s claim for relief that was filed in any underlying proceeding.” TEX. R. APP.
P. 52.7(a)(1). Relator’s status as an incarcerated person does not relieve him of the
obligation to file a sufficient record. In re Gomez, 602 S.W.3d 71, 73 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 2020, orig. proceeding).
As the party seeking mandamus relief, relator has the burden of filing a proper
petition and providing this Court with a sufficient record to establish his right to
mandamus relief. See id. Because he has not done so, we deny relator’s petition for
writ of mandamus.
/Craig Smith/
CRAIG SMITH
JUSTICE
210198F.P05
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