IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
CAUSE NO. C-1-007993-0720919 IN THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT #1
FROM TARRANT 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 pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon, and originally received five years' deferred adjudication community supervision. His community supervision was revoked in 2000, and he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
Applicant contends that he is being illegally confined, and that he should have discharged his sentence in 2005. The State has not filed an answer, and the trial court has made no findings of fact or conclusions of law. 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 may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d), in that it may order the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and /or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division to file an affidavit listing Applicant's sentence begin date, the dates of any releases on parole or mandatory supervision, and the dates of issuance of any parole-revocation warrants leading to the revocation of such parole or mandatory supervision. The affidavit should 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 should also address how much time was remaining on this sentence on the dates that Applicant was released on parole or mandatory supervision, and how much time Applicant spent on release before the issuance of the parole-revocation warrants. The affidavit should state whether or not Applicant is receiving credit for any of the time spent on parole or mandatory supervision. Because Applicant is within 180 days of his presumptive release date according to TDCJ's own records, he does not need to exhaust his administrative remedies by submitting his claim to the time credit resolution system of TDCJ.
The trial court may also order depositions, interrogatories or a hearing. 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 Application 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 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 finding 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 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: February 21, 2007
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