IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY
O P I N I O N
This is a post-conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus forwarded to this Court pursuant to Article 11.07, § 3, et seq., V.A.C.C.P. Applicant was convicted of the felony offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and punishment was assessed at life imprisonment. Applicant's direct appeal was dismissed for want of jurisdiction. Odneal v. State, No. 09-00-00201-CR (Tex. App. -- Beaumont, delivered June 8, 2000, no pet.).
Applicant contends that he was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel on appeal. The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that Applicant be granted an out-of-time appeal. We agree. Article 26.04 (j) (2), V.A.C.C.P., requires appointed counsel to "represent the defendant until charges are dismissed, the defendant is acquitted, appeals are exhausted, or the attorney is relieved of his duties or replaced by other counsel". The duty to perfect an appeal attaches whether counsel is appointed or retained. See Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). Knowing that Applicant wanted to appeal, counsel had the duty to timely file a motion for new trial or give timely notice of appeal, unless relieved by the trial court or replaced by other counsel.
Habeas corpus relief is granted and Applicant is granted an out-of-time appeal from his conviction in cause number 80494 from the Criminal District Court of Jefferson County. The proper remedy in a case such as this is to return Applicant to the point at which he can give notice of appeal. For purposes of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, all time limits shall be calculated as if the conviction had been entered on the day that the mandate of this Court issues. We hold that Applicant, should he desire to prosecute an appeal, must take affirmative steps to see that notice of appeal is given within thirty days after the mandate of this Court has issued.
DO NOT PUBLISH
DELIVERED: January 14, 2004