IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-08-00180-CR
James Earl Brown,
Appellant
v.
The State of Texas,
Appellee
From the 54th District Court
McLennan County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2007-1993-C2
MEMORANDUM Opinion
James Earl Brown was convicted of delivery of cocaine. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.112(b) (Vernon 2003). At punishment, Brown pled true to two enhancements and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. We affirm.
Brown's appellate counsel filed an Anders brief and a motion to withdraw as counsel.[1] See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967). Counsel concludes that the appeal is frivolous.
Brown was informed of the right to file a pro se brief or other response, and Brown has filed one. However, we review Brown’s brief solely to determine if there are any arguable grounds for appeal. Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d 824, 827 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). See also In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 409 n. 23 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).
Counsel's brief evidences a professional evaluation of the record for error, and we conclude that counsel performed the duties required of appointed counsel. See Anders, 386 U.S. at 744; High v. State, 573 S.W.2d 807, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1978); see also In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 407.
In reviewing an Anders appeal, we must, "after a full examination of all the proceedings, . . . decide whether the case is wholly frivolous." Anders at 744; accord Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 509-11 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991); Coronado v. State, 996 S.W.2d 283, 285 (Tex. App.—Waco 1999, order) (per curiam), disp. on merits, 25 S.W.3d 806 (Tex. App.—Waco 2000, pet. ref'd). An appeal is "wholly frivolous" or "without merit" when it "lacks any basis in law or fact." McCoy v. Court of Appeals, 486 U.S. 429, 439 n.10, 108 S. Ct. 1895, 100 L. Ed. 2d 440 (1988). Arguments are frivolous when they "cannot conceivably persuade the court." McCoy, 486 U.S. at 436. An appeal is not wholly frivolous when it is based on "arguable grounds." Stafford, 813 S.W.2d at 511.
After a review of the briefs and the entire record in this appeal, we determine the appeal to be wholly frivolous. See Bledsoe v. State, 178 S.W.3d at 826-27. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Should Brown wish to seek further review of this case by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Brown must either retain an attorney to file a petition for discretionary review or Brown must file a pro se petition for discretionary review. Any petition for discretionary review must be filed within thirty days from the date of either this opinion or the last timely motion for rehearing that was overruled by this Court. See Tex. R. App. P. 68.2. Any petition for discretionary review must be filed with this Court, after which it will be forwarded to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals along with the rest of the filings in this case. See Tex. R. App. P. 68.3. Any petition for discretionary review should comply with the requirements of Rule 68.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. See Tex. R. App. P. 68.4. See In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d 403, 409 n.22 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (citing Glover v. State, No. 06-07-00060-CR, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS 9162 (Tex. App.—Texarkana, Nov. 20, 2007, pet. ref’d) (not designated for publication)).
Although Counsel has been allowed to withdraw, he must, nevertheless, send Brown a copy of our decision, notify Brown of his right to file a pro se petition for discretionary review, and send this Court a letter certifying counsel’s compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 48.4. Tex. R. App. P. 48.4; see In re Schulman, 252 S.W.3d at 409 n. 22.
TOM GRAY
Chief Justice
Before Chief Justice Gray,
Justice Reyna, and
Justice Davis
Affirmed
Opinion delivered and filed August 5, 2009
Do not publish
[CR25]
[1] Counsel has been allowed to withdraw in a separate order.