Mario Alberto Riojas-Contreras v. State

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN NO. 03-13-00513-CR Mario Alberto Riojas-Contreras, Appellant v. The State of Texas, Appellee FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF BURNET COUNTY, 33RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT NO. 40639, HONORABLE J. ALLAN GARRETT, JUDGE PRESIDING MEMORANDUM OPINION PER CURIAM In the above cause, appellant Mario Alberto Riojas-Contrera’s brief was due in this Court on November 21, 2013. On December 11, 2013, we notified appellant’s counsel that appellant’s brief was overdue and that if we did not receive a satisfactory response on or before December 23, 2013, a hearing before the district court pursuant to Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b) would be ordered. To date, appellant’s brief has not been filed, nor have we received a response from counsel. We therefore abate the cause and remand it to the district court to hold a hearing in accordance with rule 38.8 of the rules of appellate procedure. Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b)(2), (3). The district court shall hold a hearing immediately to determine whether appellant still wishes to prosecute his appeal, whether appellant is indigent, and whether counsel has abandoned the appeal. See id. If appellant desires to appeal and is indigent, the district court should make appropriate orders to ensure that appellant is adequately represented on appeal. See id. Following the hearing, the district court should order the appropriate supplementary clerk’s and reporter’s records to be prepared and forwarded to this Court no later than March 10, 2014. See id. Before Chief Justice Jones, Justices Pemberton and Rose Abated Filed: February 6, 2014 Do Not Publish 2