Corey Dents v. State

The State of TexasAppellee/s
Fourth Court of Appeals
San Antonio, Texas
January 23, 2015
No. 04-15-00020-CR
Corey DENTS,
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
From the 290th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2014CR7707
Honorable Melisa Skinner, Judge Presiding
ORDER
Corey Dents entered into a plea bargain with the State, pursuant to which he pleaded nolo
contendere to a second offense of Assault-Family. As part of his plea bargain, Dents signed a
separate “Waiver of Appeal” that states:
I understand that upon my plea of guilty or nolo contendere, where the
punishment does not exceed that recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to
by me, my right to appeal will be limited to only: (1) those matters that were
raised by written motion filed and ruled on before trial, or (2) other matters on
which the trial court gives me permission to appeal. I understand that I have this
limited right to appeal. However, as part of my plea bargain agreement in this
case, I knowingly and voluntarily waive my right to appeal under (1) and (2) in
exchange for the prosecutor’s recommendation, provided that the punishment
assessed by the court does not exceed our agreement.
The trial court imposed sentence in accordance with the agreement and signed a certificate
stating this “is a plea-bargain case, and the defendant has NO right of appeal” and “the defendant
has waived the right of appeal.” See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2). Dents timely filed a notice of
appeal. The clerk’s record, which includes the trial court’s rule 25.2(a)(2) certification and a
written plea bargain agreement, has been filed. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d). This court must
dismiss an appeal “if a certification that shows the defendant has the right of appeal has not been
made part of the record.” Id.
The clerk’s record establishes the punishment assessed by the court does not exceed the
punishment recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to by the defendant. Ordinarily, “[i]n a
plea bargain case ... a defendant may appeal only: (A) those matters that were raised by written
motion filed and ruled on before trial, or (B) after getting the trial court’s permission to appeal.”
TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2). However, when a defendant waives this limited right to appeal, the
defendant may appeal only if the trial court later gives its express permission. See Willis v. State,
121 S.W.3d 400, 403 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Monreal v. State, 99 S.W.3d 615, 622 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2003). A notation on the judgment states the trial court denied permission to appeal. The
trial court’s certification therefore appears to accurately reflect that this is a plea bargain case,
Dents does not have a right to appeal, and he waived any limited right to appeal. See Dears v.
State, 154 S.W.3d 610 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (holding that court of appeals should review
clerk’s record to determine whether trial court’s certification is accurate).
Dents is hereby given notice that this appeal will be dismissed pursuant to rule 25.2(d) of
the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure unless the trial court’s written permission to appeal and
an amended certification showing that Dent has the right to appeal are made part of the appellate
record by February 13, 2015. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d); Daniels v. State, 110 S.W.3d 174
(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003, order), disp. on merits, No. 04-03-00176-CR, 2003 WL
21508347 (July 2, 2003, pet. ref’d) (not designated for publication).
We order all appellate deadlines suspended until further order of the court. We further
order the clerk of this court to serve copies of this order on the attorneys of record and the court
reporter.
_________________________________
Luz Elena D. Chapa, Justice
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 23rd day of January, 2015.
___________________________________
Keith E. Hottle
Clerk of Court