Frank Gonzalez Hernandez v. State

                                 NO. 07-03-0094-CR

                            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                     FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                    AT AMARILLO

                                       PANEL A

                                  AUGUST 22, 2003

                        ______________________________


                  FRANK GONZALEZ HERNANDEZ, APPELLANT

                                          V.

                         THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLEE


                      _________________________________

             FROM THE 31ST DISTRICT COURT OF WHEELER COUNTY;

              NO. 11296; HONORABLE STEVEN R. EMMERT, JUDGE

                        _______________________________

Before JOHNSON, C.J., and REAVIS and CAMPBELL, JJ.


                              MEMORANDUM OPINION


      Frank Gonzalez Hernandez appeals from the trial court’s refusal to reduce his bond.

We affirm.


      Appellant is incarcerated in Wheeler County pursuant to arrest for possession of

a controlled substance, cocaine, over 400 grams. Bond has been set at $150,000.
       Via habeas corpus motion and hearing, appellant sought reduction of the bond.

Appellant did not offer evidence of his income, net worth, financial status, funds available

to him through family and friends or attempts to make bond. He testified that he could not

make the bond set.


       The standard by which we review the amount of a bond is abuse of discretion. See

Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 849-50 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981); Ex parte Milburn, 8

S.W.3d 422, 424 (Tex.App.--Amarillo 1999, no pet.). It is the defendant's burden to prove

that the bond is excessive. See Ex parte Sabur-Smith, 73 S.W.3d 436, 439 (Tex.App.--

Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, no pet.). Such a showing generally requires proof that the

defendant made an unsuccessful effort to furnish bond in the amount fixed. Id. Absent

a showing by appellant that an effort has been made to furnish bond in the amount fixed

by the trial court, an abuse of discretion in setting the bond is not shown. See Ex parte

Stembridge, 472 S.W.2d 155 (Tex.Crim.App. 1971).


       Appellant has not demonstrated that the trial court abused its discretion. The order

setting bond is affirmed.




                                                        Per Curiam


Do not publish.




                                             2