Copeland, Ex Parte Jace Alan

















IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS




NO. AP-75,385


EX PARTE JACE ALAN COPELAND, Applicant




ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. 28,779-B-H-1 IN THE 124TH DISTRICT COURT

GREGG COUNTY


Per curiam.

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 Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3, et seq.. Applicant was convicted of the felony offense of intoxication manslaughter and sentenced to confinement for ten years. No direct appeal was taken.

Applicant contends that he was denied his right to appeal. The trial court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that Applicant be granted an out-of-time appeal. We agree. Applicant's counsel was not timely notified that he had been appointed to represent Applicant on appeal.

Habeas corpus relief is granted and Applicant is granted an out-of-time appeal from his conviction in cause number 28,779-B-H-1 from the 124TH District Court of Gregg 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.

Applicant's remaining claims are dismissed. See Ex parte Torres, 943 S.W.2d 469 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).

DO NOT PUBLISH

DELIVERED: April 12, 2006