IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
CAUSE NO. 44032-B IN THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT
OF JEFFERSON 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 fifteen years' imprisonment.
Applicant contends that he is being denied credit for time spent confined pursuant to parole violator warrants on five occasions over a period of years. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Ex parte Canada, 754 S.W.2d 660 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). In these circumstances, additional facts are needed. As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for making 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 shall order the General Counsel of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to obtain and file affidavits listing the dates Applicant has been confined on any parole-revocation warrants since 1987 and the credit he has already received for any such periods. The affidavit should also state whether Applicant is currently on conditional release, the date of any such release, whether Applicant has submitted this 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. 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. 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 what dates Applicant has been confined pursuant to parole violator warrants and what credit he has received for such confinement. 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: September 10, 2008
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