IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-80,239-01
EX PARTE BRAD ANTHONY SMITH, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 2009CR10882-W1 IN THE 226TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM BEXAR COUNTY
Per curiam.
OPINION
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 a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of aggravated
assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment.
Applicant contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to file a
notice of appeal. Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).
The trial court has determined that trial counsel’s performance was deficient in that counsel
failed to properly discuss an appeal with Applicant and failed to file a notice of appeal. We find that
Applicant is entitled to the opportunity to file an out-of-time appeal of the judgment of conviction
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in Cause No. 2009CR10882 from the 226th District Court of Bexar County. Applicant is ordered
returned to that time at which he may give a written notice of appeal so that he may then, with the
aid of counsel, obtain a meaningful appeal. Within ten days of the issuance of this opinion, the trial
court shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be
represented by counsel, the trial court shall immediately appoint an attorney to represent Applicant
on direct appeal. All time limits shall be calculated as if the sentence had been imposed on the date
on which the mandate of this Court issues. We hold that, should Applicant desire to prosecute an
appeal, he must take affirmative steps to file a written notice of appeal in the trial court within 30
days after the mandate of this Court issues.
Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional
Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.
Delivered: October 9, 2013
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