IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
CAUSE NO. 15683 HC-1 IN THE 6TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM LAMAR COUNTY
O R D E R
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of burglary of a building and sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment. The Sixth Court of Appeals dismissed the direct appeal on Applicant's motion. Rater v. State, No. 06-95-00178-CR (Tex. App. - Texarkana, November 6, 1995).
Applicant contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because counsel failed to convey a plea offer of eight years at a time when Applicant could have accepted it. Applicant contends that counsel did not inform him of the offer until after Applicant had entered his plea of nolo contendere before a jury and received a sentence of twelve years.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). In these circumstances, additional facts are needed. As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact. Trial counsel shall be given an opportunity to respond. The trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d). In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection. Id.
If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04.
The trial court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law in regard to Applicant's claim that counsel failed to convey a plea offer of eight years. The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claim for habeas corpus relief.
This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues. The issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order. If any continuances are granted, a copy of the order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. A supplemental transcript containing all affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any hearing or deposition, along with the trial court's supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall be returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall be obtained from this Court.
Filed: May 2, 2007
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