IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
CAUSE NO. 92-415,873 IN THE 140TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
FROM LUBBOCK 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 forgery and sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment.
Applicant contends that he is being denied credit for time spent released on parole prior to revocation. The cause was remanded to the trial court for findings regarding this claim on November 9, 2005. On March 28, 2007, this Court received the trial court's supplemental finding of fact and conclusion of law, along with a recommendation that the writ be dismissed as moot, because Applicant had been released to mandatory supervision. However, if Applicant is entitled to the street time credit he seeks, his period of mandatory supervision will be significantly shortened, and his sentence will be discharged much sooner than it would be if he is not entitled to the street time credit. Therefore, the trial court's supplemental finding is not sufficient to address Applicant's claim.
Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Ex parte Spann, 132 S.W.3d 390 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). 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.
The trial court shall order the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and /or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division, to file an affidavit listing Applicant's sentence begin date, and, the dates of issuance of any parole-revocation warrants leading to the revocation of such parole or mandatory supervision. The affidavit shall state whether Applicant is serving a sentence for, or has previously been convicted of, an offense which was listed in Tex. Gov't. Code § 508.149(a) at the time of Applicant's revocation. The affidavit shall also address how much time was remaining on this sentence on the date that Applicant was released on parole, and how much time Applicant spent on release before the issuance of the parole-revocation warrant. The affidavit shall state whether or not Applicant is receiving credit for any of the time spent on parole. Finally, the affidavit shall indicate whether or not Applicant has submitted his claim to the time credit resolution system of TDCJ, and if so, the date when the claim was submitted.
The trial court may also order depositions, interrogatories or a hearing. 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. C ode Crim. Proc. Art. 26.04.
The trial court shall make findings of fact first as to whether Applicant has properly exhausted his administrative remedies as required by Tex. Gov't. Code § 501.0081(b)-(c). The trial court shall then make findings as to whether Applicant is eligible to earn street time credit, and if so, whether he is entitled to credit for his time spent on release. The trial court shall also make findings as to whether Applicant is receiving the proper amount of time credit for that time. 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 30 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 60 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall be obtained from this Court.
Filed: April 25, 2007
Do not publish