in Re Antonio Sepeda

ACCEPTED
14-15-00288-cv
FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
8/13/2015 11:57:06 AM
CHRISTOPHER PRINE
CLERK
NO. 14-15-00288-CV
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN
14th COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE HOUSTON, TEXAS
FOURTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS 8/13/2015 11:57:06 AM
HOUSTON, TEXAS CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
Clerk
IN RE ANTONIO SEPEDA, Relator
Appealed from the 212lh Judicial District Court
of Galveston County, Texas
Cause No. 14CV0020
THE STATE OF TEXAS' RESPONSE TO
RELATOR'S ORIGINAL PROCEEDING OF WRIT OF MANDAMUS
JACK ROADY
CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
GALVESTON COUNTY
ALLISON LINDBLADE
ASSISTANT CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
GALVESTON COUNTY
STATE BAR NO. 24062850
600 59TH STREET, SUITE 1001
GALVESTON, TX 77551
(409) 766-2355, FAX (409) 766-2290
allison.lindblade@co.galveston.tx.us
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
Identity of Parties and Counsel .......................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... 1\1
Index of Authorities ............................................................................................................... IV
Statement of the Case ............................................................................................................ 1
Summary of the Argument...................................................................................................2
SOLE ISSUE............................................................................................................................ 3
How is Sepeda entitled to mandamus relief when he can
now appeal the final order denying his petition for
expunction?
Argument and Authorities....................................................................................... 3
Sepeda is not entitled to mandamus relief because he can appeal
the trial court's order of denial. ...........................................................................3
Conclusion and Prayer.......................................................................................................... 5
Certificate of Service............................................................................................................. 6
Certificate of Compliance....................................................................................................6
Ii
IDENTITY OF PARTIES
Relator Antonio Sepeda
Respondents Hon. Patricia Grady
The State of Texas, Galveston
County Criminal District Attorney's
Office
jil
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Ex parte Sepeda, 14-14-00946-CV, 2015 WL 122744, at *2 (Tex. App.-
Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 8, 2015, no pet.) ......................................................... 1
In re Moody Nat. Kirby Houston S, LLC, 412 S.W.3d 570,571 (Tex. App.-
Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, no pet.) ........................................................................ 4
Lehmann v. Har-Con Corp., 39 S.W.3d 191, 195 (Tex. 2001) ................................ 4
State v. Walker, 679 S.W.2d 484,485 (Tex. 1984) ............................................... 4
Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833,839 (Tex. 1992) ........................................ 3, 4
iv
TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:
Now comes Jack Roady, Criminal District Attorney for Galveston County,
Texas, and files this response to Relator/Sepeda's petition for writ of mandamus for
the State of Texas.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Relator Antonio Sepeda filed Petitioner's Request for Expunction on
January 6, 2014. See Attachment 1. Sepeda's expunction, case number
14CY0020, was set on the trial court's docket for a status conference on April 3,
2014, for a hearing on June 13, 2014, and for a check status on June 16, 2014.
See Attachment 2. Although the trial court took the case under advisement, there
was no ruling. See id.
On November 25, 2014, Sepeda filed Appellant's Restricted Notice of
Appeal, assigned number 14-14-00946-CY. On January 8, 2015, this Court
issued an opinion dismissing appeal number 14-14-00946-CV for want of
jurisdiction without prejudice. See Ex parte Sepeda, 14-14-00946-CV, 2015 WL
122744, at *2 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 8, 2015, no pet.) (not
designated for publication). On March 20, 2015, an Order on Mandate for appeal
number 14-14-00946-CV was issued.
1
On April 1, 2015, Sepeda filed a petition for writ of mandamus to compel
the trial court to rule on his expunction petition in case number 14CV0020. On
April 23, 2015, this Court sent an Abatement Order to Sepeda and to the trial
court. On July 21, 2015, this Court sent an Order reinstating the mandamus
proceeding. On July 22, 2015, the State filed an Original Answer and General
Denial to Relator/Sepeda's expunction petition in case number 14CV0020. See
Attachment 3. On August 12, 2015, the trial court signed an order denying
Sepeda's petition for expunction. See Attachment 4.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
Antonio Sepeda petitioned this Court for a writ of mandamus to compel the
trial court to rule on his expunction petition. Since he filed his writ, the trial
court denied Sepeda's petition for expunction in case 14CVOO20. Because Sepeda
has an alternate remedy at law, his writ of mandamus should be denied.
2
SOLE ISSUE
How is Sepeda entitled to mandamus relief when he can now appeal the
final order denying his petition for expunction?
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
Sepeda petitioned this Court for a writ of mandamus to compel the trial
court to rule on his expunction petition. Since he filed his writ, and at the behest
of this Court, the trial court ruled on the expunction petition. Therefore, Sepeda's
writ of mandamus should be denied.
Sepeda is not entitled to mandamus relief because Ile can appeal tile trial
court's order of denial.
Mandamus relief is available only to correct a clear abuse of discretion
when there is no adequate remedy by appeal. See, e.g., Walker v. Packer, 827
S.W.2d 833,839 (Tex. 1992); see also In re Moody Nat. Kirby Houston S, LLC,
412 S.W.3d 570, 571 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, no pet.).
"Mandamus will not issue where there is 'a clear and adequate remedy at law,
such as a normal appeal.'" Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 840 (quoting State v. Walker,
679 S.W.2d 484,485 (Tex. 1984».
3
In a final order, the trial court denied Sepeda's petition for expunction in
14CVOO20. See Attachment 4. Sepeda may appeal the trial court's denial of his
petition for expunction. See Lehmann v. Har-Con Corp., 39 S.W.3d 191, 195
(Tex. 2001) (The general rule, with a few mostly statutory exceptions, is that an
appeal may be taken only from a final judgment.). Accordingly, mandamus relief
is not appropriate in this proceeding because Sepeda has an adequate remedy by
appeal. See Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 840. Therefore, this Court should deny his
petition for writ of mandamus. See Moody Nat. Kirby Houston S, LLC, 412
S.W.3d at 571.
4
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the State prays that the
mandamus be denied.
Respectfully submitted,
JACK ROADY
CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATIORNEY
GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS
lsi :Afffson lJnlhfacfe
ALLISON LINDBLADE
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
State Bar Number 24062850
600 59th Street, Suite 1001
Galveston, Texas 77551
Tel (409)766-2452/Fax (409)765-3261
allison. Iindblade@Co.galveston.tx.us
5
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned Attorney for the State certifies a copy of the foregoing
response was sent via certified mail, return receipt requested or via email, to Hon.
Patricia Grady of the 212th Judicial District Court of Galveston, Texas and to
Antonio Sepeda, Relator/Petitioner, TDCJ#00469585, Coffield Unit, 2661 FM
2054, Tennessee Colony, Texas 75884 on August 13, 2015.
lsi ll({json fincf6fale
ALLISON LINDBLADE
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Galveston County, Texas
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
The undersigned Attorney for the State certifies this brief IS computer
generated, and consists of 631 words.
lsi ll{lison fincf6fale
ALLISON LINDBLADE
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Galveston County, Texas
6
APPENDIX
AITACHMENT NUMBER
Petitioner's Request for Expunction.................................................................................. 1
14CV0020 Case Summary................................................................................................... 2
State's Original Answer & General Denial .....................................................................3
Order of Denial .......................................................................................................................4
No. 14-1S-00288-CV
ATTACHMENT 1
14-15-OO288-CV
Attachment I Slale's Response
'" \0-,-' ~"'l:\\1
ZJ ':,.... ) I II u
Ex Parte Antonio Sepeda In the District Court of
§
'1 / 1U ~' .
ob'~Jtiiicia.!-- 'District
".-'_ \,
Galveston County,Tx.
§
Petitioner's request for ExpunCtion pursuant to TeX.o:rle of
Crim.Proc.Ann.art.SS.01 (a) (2) (A) (i) (West2010).The statute of
Limitations.
'ID TIlE HC.«ORABLE JUDGE:
petitioner is seeking to have misdemeanor dismissal fran all agencies that
may have said records of arrest(s),The misdemeanor in question were dismissed
by the COunty court at law NO:2 on the following date:2010/04/16.
1).Request expunction of records on cause NO:032976980101.charge of terrorist-
ic threat.
STATEMENl' OF ISSUES
Petitioner was arrested on this charge and later draped by the county court
at law NO:2,petitioner believes he is entitled to have this expunged fran
his criminal history. Because it did not result in a conviction •• The matter
was properly dismissed by the county court at law NO:2.
EN1'ITLED RELIEF
Petitioner should be granted this expunction request,he has met all the
requirements of the statute,and petitioner has reason to believe that the
following agencis,officials,or other pubUc entities of this state have record
concerning his arrest(5) .By the Texas City Police Department.
1).Galveston COunty District Attorney's office for itself and following COUnty
agencies:
[X) District Clerk
[X) County Clerk
[X) Sheriff-IO
[X) Sheriff-Bond
[X) DATA SERVICES
[X) AIS
Request for expunction
n _I
".
2).TeX.Depart.of crim.Just.,Ciassificatio and records office
P.O.Box 99
Huntsville,Tx.77342
3).TeX.Depart.of crim.Just.lnternal Affairs Division
P.O.Box 99
Hunstville,Tx.77342
4) .TeX.Board of Pardons and Paroles
P .O.Box 13401 Capitol sta.
Austin,Tx.78711
5).TeX.Depart.of crim.Just.Parole Division
P.O.Box 13401,capitol sta.
Austin, Tx, 78711
6).TeX.Depart.of PUblic Safety-Crime records Division-MSC 0234
P.O.Box 4143
Austin,TX.78765
7).TeXas City,City attorney and Police departJrent.
8).Justice of the Peace percint 5.Galveston CO.TX.
roICLUSlOO
Petitioner request this =urt order these officials, agencies, to expunge
all records pertaining to this arrest and cahrge.It is so Requested.
Respectfully Sul:mittedi
``<'aIf1tJ$
Request for expunction Page 2 of 2
JOlIN D.KINARD
DIS'lRIcr CLERK GALVF.S'.lOO CXlUNl'Y
DEX:.30,2013
RE:Petition for expunctioo of Dismissed Charges.
1 ).petition-Deadly coOOuct (Case 00:032976920101
2) .petition assault causes bodily injury family member. (032976950101)
3).Terroristic threat of family. (032976980101)
4).assault causes bodily injury family. (Dated:2009/08/07)
(MISllIH:lIOORS ~)
Dear Clerk;
Please find for filing with the court the ab:Jve petitions for EKRiGBfl'
'llIERE ARE FOOR(4) separate petitions for each dismissed charges.
Also attached is the Notary Certified ~ of my InIBte T.rust fuId stataEnt
fer the past 6 s:nt:bs •. Please 1st _ Jmao.r of any rullngs.'l!IaDk youl
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No. 14~15~OO288-CV
ATTACHMENT 2
111m DISfRICT COURT
CASE SUMMARY 14-IS-00288-CV
Attlchml.'tll2 StllC'S Response
CASE No. 14-CV-0020
Suit in Accordance with Article 55.01 Code of Criminal § Location: 212th District Court
Procedure § Judicial OOicer: Grady, Patricia
§ Filed on: 0110612014
§ Case Number History:
§ Appellale Case Number: 14-14-00946-CV
§ 14-15-00288-CV - Mandamus
c-\,,, I'\H)I(\I\ I If"
Related C.ses Case Type: Criminal Matters· Expunction
MD-0297698 (Companion Case)
Case
Statistical Closures Sialus: 0811212015 Disposed
0811212015 Final Judgmenl after Non-Jury Trial
Case Flags: Paupers Affidavit Filed
See Clerks Note Tab
1)\ II.
Current Case Assignment
Case Number 14-CV-0020
Court 2121h Dislnel Court
Date Assigned 1213112014
Judicial Officer Grady. Patricia
Previous Case Assi~nments
Case Number 14-CV-0020
Court 2121h Dislriet Court
Dale Assigned 0112712014
Judicial Officer Griffin, Bret
Reason Other
CasoNumher 14-CV-0020
Court 212th District Court
Date AssiAlled 0110612014
Judicial Officer Criss. Susan
Reason Other
1'\lln I'iHm\I\IIO,\
Lead "orneys
Applicant Sepeda, Antonio ProSe
4094971628(H)
Respondent AIS
Data Services
Galveston County Clerk
Galveston County District Attorney's Office Lindblade. Allison
Relained
409-766-2364(W)
Galveston County District Clerk
Galveston County Sheriff Department
Justice ofthe Peace Precinct 5
Tn.s Board of Pardons & Paroles
Texas City Attorney's Office
PAGE IOF6 Printed on 0&·13.12015 alll :28 AM
212TII DtSTRtCf COURT
CASE SUMMARY
.. CASE No. 14-CV-0020
Texas City Police Deplrtmt'ni
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Texas Department or Criminal Justice Internal Affairs Division
Texas Department of Criminll Justice Parole Division
Texas Department Of Public Sorely, for itself and TCIC, NCIC, FBI
Appenlnt Sepeda, Antonio Pro Se
4094971 628(H)
ElI·: "ns,,~ OIWl.l(" urnn-. COl RT
0110612014 ~ Original Petition - DCA
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
senllo Director ofGovrn AjJrs
0110612014 6j Affidavit of Inability to Pay Court Costs
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
0110612014 ~Motion
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
TO PROCEED WITHOUT PREP,' YING FEES OR COSTS WITH PROPOSED ORDER
WITHIN DOCUMENT
0110612014 {U Declaration
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
RELATING TO PREVIOUS CASE FILINGS. SENT TO DIRECTOR OF GOVRN AFFRS
0110612014 ~ Declaration
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
0110612014 ~ Copy of Notice
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
SIC MAILED TO PRO SE PLTF
0110712014 ~ Correspondence from Clerk of Court
Mailed to Pro Se Party
0111412014 {U Order (Judicial Officer: Judge, Visiting)
Order Granting motion to proceed in Forma Pauperis receivedfrom COllrl on AprilS. 201-1;
file relurnedJrom court and liD order or notice ofexplmction hearing rec'd by clerk
0112112014 Ul Correspondence
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
re: service, copies for service. no addresses for some respondents. elc.• senllo director of
governmental affairs
0112112014 c!:U Motion
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
A10TION TO ATTEND HEARING BY TELEPHONE CALL OR OTHER EFFECTIVE MEANS
INCLUDES PROPOSED ORDER
0112112014 {U Receipt Acknowledge
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
ACKNOWLEDGES STATUS CONFERENCE SETTING
PAGE20F6 Prmled on 08113120105 0111:28 AAI
212T11 DISTRICf COURT
CASE SUMMARY
CASE No. 14-CV-0020
01/2112014 Qj Motion
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
MOTION AND NOTICE OF MOTION FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE OF FACTS
01/21/2014 ~ Motion to Consolidate
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
SENT TO 212T1l COURT
01/21/2014 G:l Proposed Order (unsigned)
ON CONSOLIDATION
04/0312014 Status Conference (9:00 AM) (Judicial Officer: Griffin. Bret)
04/08/2014 Qj Notice - From Court of Selling Date (Judicial Officer: Griffin, Bret )
Notice ofselling mailed to Applicant and Notices issued 10 Respndents with address info listed
in Petition (2 Respondenls - Applicant/ailed 10 provide address info)
04/08/2014 Qj Correspondence from Court
COPY OF SETTING NOTICE SENT TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY BY COURT
04/2412014 G:l Motion to Retain
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
Case on Docket.
04/2412014 Qj Correspondence from Pro Se Party
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
t0212thCRT.
05/0912014 Qj Correspondence from Clerk of Court
Notice of Expunction Hearing 10 Respondent
05/09/2014 Qj Receipt Acknowledge
Party: Respondent Texas Department Of Public Safety, for itself and TCIC, NCIC, FBI
E-Mail confirmation/rom DPS
05/1212014 Q] Waiver
Party: Respondent Galveston County District Clerk
by CIM 0/ Hearing Notice
0511212014 Qj Receipt Acknowledge
Party: Respondent Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
E-Mail Confirmation From TDCJ
05/12/2014 G:l Receipt Acknowledge
Party: Respondent Texas City Police Department
Email Confirmalionfrom TCPD
05/1212014 G:l Receipt Acknowledge
Party: Respondent Justice of the Peace Precinct 5
Email COllflrmationfrom Justice of Peace Pet. 5
0511212014 Qj Receipt Acknowledge
PAGE 3 OF 6 Printed on 0811312015 alll:28 AM
212T11 DISTRICT COURT
CASE SUMMARY
CASE NO. 14-CV-0020
Party: Respondent TexlIS City Attorney's Omce
E-Mail ConflrmalionFrom Texas City Attorney's Office
05/1212014 Qj Receipt Acknowledge
Party: Respondent Data Services
E-Mail COIifirmationfrom Data Services
05/1312014 Q.1 Waiver
Party: Respondent Galveston County Clerk
oj Delivery by CIM - Notice oj Hearing.
05/13/2014 QJ Waiver
Party: Respondent Galveston County Sheriff Department
Waiver ofservice by e lF
0511412014 QJ Green Card Returned/Delivered
Date: 05114/2014
Notice a/Delivery Confirmation of Expunction Hearing on TDCJIAD
05119/2014 Qj Green Card Returned/Delivered
Date: 05115/2014
Delivery Confirmation of Expunction Hearing Notice on TDCJPD
05119/2014 Qj Green Card Returned/Delivered
Dale: 05119/2014
Delivery Confirmation of Expunction Hearing Notice on TBPP
06/13/2014 Expunction Hearing (9:00 AM) (Judicial omcer: Grimn, Bret)
pro selTDC - no service requested
Taken Under Advisement
06/19/2014 Check Status (9:00 AM) (Judicial Omcer: Grimn. Bret)
08/1112014 ~ Correspondence
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
sen/lo court 2 J2th court
11/25/2014 ~ Notice of Appeal - Accelerated
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
No Order signed on and no hearing held on 6-13· /-1
11/26/2014 ~ Correspondence from Clerk of Court
to Appellant Notifying o/Appeal Court Assignment
11/26/2014 ~ Appeal- Assignment Letter to the Court of Appeals
to Nth COllrt of Ilppeals Notifying o/Appeal COllrt Assignment
11/26/2014 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
E-Mail conjirmalion/rom 141h CRT 0/Appeals o/Notice 0/Assignment.
11/2712014 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
Re: CLR due Monday. December 29, 20N.
1212612014 lEI Appeal - Clerk Record - File Copy
PAGE40F6 Printed on 0811312015 alll:28 AAI
212T11 DISTRICf COURT
CASE SUMMARY
CASE No. 14-CV-0020
Transmitted to I-Ith CRT ojAppeals.
12/26/2014 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
Email conflrmalion of TransmiliaI o/eLR.
12/30/2014 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
Re: CLRfiled - Post Card.
0110812015 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
No/ice ofOpinion Distribution,
01108/2015 ~ Appeal - Judgment from Court of Appeals
to 212tll CRT.
01108/2015 ~ Appeal - Opinion
to 212th CRT.
03/20/2015 ~ Appeal- Bill of Cost from Court of Appeal
03/20/2015 ~ Appeal - Mandate - Dismissing
Order Dismissing Appeal
0312012015 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
pos/card re: Mandate
03/23/2015 ~ Order on Mandate (Judicial Officer: Grady, Patricia)
Dismissing Appeal and Costs 0[SI95.oo are to be paid by Appel/ale, Antonio Sepeda
0410312015 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
re: Writ ofMandamusfiled
0411612015 fil Correspondence to Coun
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
04/2312015 ~ Appeal - Order of Abatement
to 212tll CRT.
04/23/2015 ~ Correspondence from Court of Appeal
No/ice a/Distribution a/Order.
05/07/2015 Ul Correspondence from Pro Se Party
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
Re: MolionJor Ruling.
05/0712015 Ul Request
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
10 Make a Ruling Within a Thirty days: 10 2121h CRT.
0$107/2015 QJ Motion
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
to Request a Ruling .. /0 212t" CRT.
PAGE50F6 Prinled on 08113120/5 alll:28 AM
212T11 DISTRICf COURT
CASE SUMMARY
CASE No. 14-CV-0020
OS/22/2015 ~ Correspondence from Pro Se Party
Party: Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
07/2112015 rI!I Correspondence from Court of Appeal
No/ice a/Order Distribution. J.I~J5-00288-CV - Writ of Mandamus
07/21/2015 it!! Appeal· Order
/4·J5-00288-CV - Writ a[Mandamus; to 2J2th CRT High Priority.
07/2212015 ~ Original Answer
Original Answer and General Denial
07/22/2015 ~ Proposed Order (unsigned)
Order of Denial
08/1212015 Court Coordinator's Case Notes
SIGNED - ORDER OF DENIAL PGIJF
08/1212015 Order Denying Expunction - Final - OCA (Judicial Officer: Grady, Patricia)
08/1212015 ~ Copy of Notice
Party: Attorney Lindblade, Allison; Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
Order Denying £Tpunclion.
08/1212015 Hearing (10:00 AM) (Judicial Officer: Grady, Patricia)
ORDER OF DENIAL ON PETITIONER'S PETITION FOR EXPUNCTION
0810512015 Reset by Court to 0811212015
Held
"' 1:"',\ "11;( 1.\I . I , \j."(m,'. \110"
Applicant Sepeda, Antonio
Total Charges 2.00
Total Payments and Credits 0.00
Balance Due as of 8/13/2015 2.00
PAGE60F6 Prinled on 0811311015 0111:28 AM
No. 14-15-00288-CV
ATTACHMENT 3
JOHN D. KINARD· Dislriel Cia
Galveston County. Texc
Envelope No. 618501
By: Shailja Dh
7123120158:15:46 A
14·IS-00288·CV
Cause No. 14-CV-0020 Attachment 3 State's Response
EX PARTE § IN THE DISTRICT COURT
§ 212th JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ANTONIO SEPEDA § GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS
ORIGINAL ANSWER & GENERAL DENIAL
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
COMES NOW, the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney, by and thrnugh the
undersigned Assistant Criminal District Attorney, and files the following Answer and General
Denial in response to Petitioner's Petition for Expunction of Records.
I, General Denial
The State of Texas denies each and every allegation and demands strict proof thereof.
See Ex parte Jackson, 132 S.W.3d 713, 716 (Tex. App.-DaIJas 2004, no pet.).
II. Case background
Petitioner requests an expunction of MD297698, the charge of Terroristic Threat of a
Family Member committed on October 11, 2009. See attachment 1 (Original Complaint).
Petitioner's Terroristic Threat of a Family Member, MD297698, was one of the cases that
made the basis of the Magistrate'S Emergency Protective Order signed on October 12, 2009.
See attachment 2 (Magistrate's Emergency Protective Order). Petitioner pled guilty to violating
said protective order and was sentenced to 8 years in the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice, Institutional Division. See attachment 3 (Indictment and Jlldgment in lOCROO38).
The Petitioner now seeks to expunge from his records the very basis for which he is
incarcerated. Petitioner's request should be denied.
In. As a prisoner, Petitioner has no absolute right to be present in a civil action
Although Sepeda filed a Motion to Attend Hearing by Telephone Conference, as a
prisoner, he has no absolute right to be present in a civil action. See In re Z.L.T., 124 S.W.3d
163, 166 (Tex. 2003). In Sepeda's Motion to Attend, Sepeda does not give a required showing
that his presence is necessary. To the contrary, he says, "should the court determine that his
presence is required, petitioner request he be allowed to proceed by telephone conference
call." An inmate's right to access the courts does not entail the right to personally appear for
every proceeding. Ex parte Cephas, 410 S.W.3d 416, 421 (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.}
2013, no pet.) Sepeda failed to make the required showing that his presence was necessary at
any hearing. See Sepeda v. Slale, 14-14-00443·CV, 2015 WL 4366220, at "'5 (Tex. App.-
Houston [14th Dist.} July 16, 2015, no. pet. h.).
lV. Petitioners expunction should be denied because Petitioner hasn't proven he has met
all the statutory requirements
A person's entitlement to expunction arises only after all statutory conditions have been
met. Ex parte S.C., 305 S.W.3d 258, 260 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.) 2009, no pet.).
Because an expunction proceeding is civil, not criminal, in nature, it is the petitioner's burden
to prove that all of the statutory requirements have been met, and when the petitioner fails to
carry this burden, the expunction must be denied. See id.; see also Harris County Disl.
Attorney's Office v. Hopson, 880 S.W.2d I, 3 (Tex. App.- Houston [14th Dist.) 1994, no
writ). Petitioner has not proven that his case was dismissed for a statutorily approved reason or
that the statute of limitations has expired. Petitioner'S assertions are not evidence.
V. There Is No Equitable Power to Extend the Statute
2
Expunction is neither a constitutional nor common-law right. but a statutory privilege.
Tex. Dep't of Pub. Safety v. J.H.J., 274 S.W.3d 803. 806 (Tex. App. -Houston [14th Dist.]
2008. no pet.).
Texas courts have uniformly held that judges have no equitable power to grant
expunctions because the right to an expunction is available only by meeting the requirements of
the statute. E.g., S.C., 305 S.W.3d at 260; Herron v. State, 821 S.W.2d 329, 330 (Tex.
App.-Dallas 1991, /10 pet.). The trial court has no equitable power to extend the protections
of the expunction statute beyond its stated provisions. S. C., 305 S.W.3d at 260.
WHEREFORE having answered, the State of Texas prays that upon consideration of
the above answer, the Court DENY any and all relief to Petitioner in the petition before the
Court.
Respectfully submitted,
JACK ADY
C DISTRICT ATTORNEY
A'Jl1lm:GtT'ON COUNT ,TEXAS
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Galveston County, Texas
State Bar Number: 24062850
600 59TH Street, Suite 1001
Galveston, Texas 77551
409-766-2452
409-765-3261 fax
A1lison.lindblade@co.galveston.tx.us
3
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned attorney for the State cenifies a copy of the above Answer was mailed
to Petitioner, on 1/ ~v ,2015.
Mr. Antonio Sepeda
TDCJUOO469585
Coffield Unit
2661 FM 2054
Tennessee, Texas 75884
E
Sl t Criminal District Attorney
eston County, Texas
4
Cause No. 14-CV-0020
EX PARTE § IN THE DISTRICf COURT
§ 2Uth JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ANTONIO SEPEDA § GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS
Attachment 1
Original Complaint MD297698
5
WARRANT: N ARRESTING AGENCY:
CODE: 16020006 TCIC: 1602 SPN: 0341058
COUNTY COURT NUMBER: 2 CAUSB NO. 29769B
DBFENDANT: ANTONIO SBPEDA
ADDRESS: 713 8'l'H AVB N, TEXAS CITY, TX 71590
FILING AGENCY: TBlCAS CITY POLICE DEPT. DATB PILBD: 10/15/2009
LOCATION: JAIL
CHARGE: TERRORISTIC THREAT 01" FAMILY /aOUSBHOLD
COMPLAINANT: AMY CASTRO
BONDSMAN:
ORIGINAL COMPLAINT
IN THE mu.m AND BY THB AUTHORITY 01" THB STATE OF TBXAS
BBFORE ME, the undersigned Ass1stant Criminal District Attorney of Galveston
County, Texas, thl.s day personally appeared the unders1gned affiant who under
oath, says that he has good reason to believe and does be11eve that
heretofore on or about the 11th day of October, 2009, and before the making
and £111ng of this Complaint, in the county of Galveston and State of Texas,
ANTONIO SBPBDA, hereinafter styled Defendant,
DID THBN AND THERE THREATEN TO COMMIT AN OFFENSE INVOLVING VIOLENCE TO
A PERSON, NAMELY, TO MURDER, WITH INTENT TO PLACB AMY CASTRO IN PEAR OF
IMMINENT SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, AND SAID CONDUCT OF THE DEFENDANT CONSTITUTBD
FAMILY VIOLENCE.
AGAINST THE PRACE AND DIGNITY OF THB STATE.
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 15th day of October, 2009.
:;I
Affiant As Criminal
FILING ORIGINAL
Cause No. 14-CV-0020
EX PARTE § IN THE DISTRICT COURT
§ 212tb JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ANTONIO SEPEDA § GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS
Attachment 2
Magistrate's Emergency Protective Order
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