JURISDICTIONAL DEFECT
No \a.A5-oo\°u>cJ
TRIAL COURT NUMBER 3-42362
IN THE FILED !N COURT OF APi>IAl3
12ih Courtgf Appeals P}gjy ct
12th COURT OF APPEALS
AT TYLER; TEXAS JUL 2 9 201
• TYLER TEXAS
IN RE BILLY ROSS SIMS, # 511649
CATHY S. LUSK, CLERK
FROM THE
3rd JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
OF
ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
PETITIONER
BILLY ROSS SIMS, # 511649
POWLEDGE UNIT
1400 FM 3452
PALESTINE. TEXAS 75803
RESPONDENT
MARK A. CALHOON
3rd Judicial District Court
of
Anderson County. Texas
500 N. Church Street.
Palestine. TX 75801
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES Li. iii
IDENTITIES OF PARTIES - 1
JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT - 1
INDIGENCE - - 1
STATEMENT OF THE CASE - 2
VIOLATION OF THE LAW - - 3-7
PRAYER - 8
CLERK'S RECORD: EXHIBIT NUMBERS
Clerk's Letter Dated July 1, 2015 regarding
Order of Dismissal - A
ORDER OF DISMISSAL - B
Sims' Letter dated 25 February 2015 regarding
filing of Complaint - C
DECLARATION OF INABILITY TO PAY COST
dated 25 February 2015 sent with Complaint - D
Clerk's Letter Dated March 3, 2015 regarding
NOTICE OF FILING - E
Sims' Letter to Clerk making inquiry about
Service of Process, dated March 20. 2015 - F
Sims' Letter to Clerk making inquiry about
Service of Process, dated April 8, 2015 - G
Sims' Letter to Judge Calhoon about Service
of process, dated April 11, 2015 - H
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
CASES:
SOUTHWEST REPORTER - Second
DeLOITTE & TOUCHE vs 14th Court of Appeals,
951 SW2d 394 (Supp. 1997 - - - - - - - - - 1.
DOWNER vs AOUAMARINE OPERATORS,
701 SW2d 243 (Texas 1985) ------- 4, 7
JOHNSON vs 4th Court of Appeals
700 SW2d 916 (Texas 1985) -------- 1
MOORE vs HENTRY,
960 SW2d 82 (Tex.App. 1996) - - - - - - - - 6
PENROD DRILLING CORP vs WILLIAMS
868 SW2d 294 (Texas 1993) ========7
RIOS vs CAI.HOON
889 SW2d 257 (Texas 1994) ____--- 3,7
SOUTHWEST REPORTER - Third
ABDULLAH vs STATE
211 SW3d 938 (Tex.App, 2007) - - - - - - - - 1
IN RE CANALES
52 SW3d 698 (Texas 2001) --------6
IN RE SENSITIVE CARE, inc
28 SW3d 35 (Tex.App, 2000) --------7
INSURANCE COMPANY OF PENNSYLVANIA, vs MARTINEZ
18 SW3d 844 -------- 1
PADILLA vs McDANIEL
122 SW3d 805 (Tex.Crim,App. 2003) ------ 1
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
DENTON vs HERNANDEZ
112 S.CT. 1728 (1992) -------5
ESTELLE vs GAMBLE. 97 S =CT, 285 - - - - - 5
HAINES vs KERNER
92 S.CT. 594 ____ ____5
ROGERS vs TENNESSEE
121 S CT 1693 (2001) - - - - - - - - 4
ROSE vs ROSE
107 S CT 2029 (1987) - - - - - - - -3, 6
STONE vs POWELL
96 S CT 3037 ____----4
SWIERKIEWICZ vs SOREMA
122 S CT 992 (2002) -------- 5
li
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
FEDERAL REPORTER - Second
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH vs DAVIS
616 F.2d 828 (5th Circuit 1980) 4, 6
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENT
HARRIS vs TDCJ
806 F. Supp. 627 (S-D.Tex= 1992)
VETERANS STATUTE
38 USC § 3101(a) 4, 6
38 USC § 5301(a) 4. 6
TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
RULE 47 4, 5
RULE 663a 7
TEXAS CIVIL PRACTICES & REMEDIES CODE
Chapter 14 = 4, 5r 6
§ 14.003(a) 2. 6
§ 14 -003(a)(b) 2, 6
§ 14.003(c) 5, 6
§ 14.008(a)(b) 5. 6
Chapter 63.007
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
22, 001(a)(6) 1
22.002(a) 1
22.221(b) 1
CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT
Canon 2A _ _ _ 3
Canon 3B(2) - 4
Canon 3B(8) _ _ _ 5
SOUTHWEST REPORTER - Third
GARRETT vs BORDEN, 283 SW3d 852 (Texas 2009) - Appendix
in
JURISDICTIONAL DEFECT
CAUSE NUMBER:
IN RE BILLY ROSS SIMS, pro se § IN THE
Relator
§ COURT OF APPEALS
Mark Calhoon, Judge
3rd Judicial District Court § TWELFTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
of Anderson County, Texas
Respondent §
ORIGINAL PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:
Comes now the Relator, Billy Ross Sims (Sims), pro se, in the
above numbered cause and files this original petition for writ of
mandamus and would show the Court:
JURISDICTION
The Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over the trial courts, see
PADILLA vs McDANIEL, 122 SW3d 805 (Tex.Crim.App. 2003); Tex.Govt.Code
§§ 22.001(a)(6), 22.002(a), 22.221(b); JOHNSON v 4th COURT OF APPEALS,
700 SW2d 916, 917 (Texas 1985); DeLOITTE & TOUCHE v 14th Court of
Appeals, 951 SW2d 394 (Supp. 1997). The trial court has committed an
error of law of such importance to the State's jurisprudence that it
should be corrected.
PARTIES
RELATOR: Billy Ross Sims, TDCJ-CID # 511649, a State prisoner at the
Powledge Unit, Anderson County, 1400 FM 3452, Palestine, TX 75803.
RESPONDENT: Mark Calhoon (Calhoon), elected court judge at the 3rd
Judicial District Court of Anderson County, TX, 500 N. Church Street,
Palestine, TX 75801 .
INDIGENCE
Relator has filed an affidavit of his indigence with the clerk of
the court.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Sims filed a 1983 civil suit at the prisomumailbox on 2-27-15.
(Clerk's Record, Sims' letter dated April 11, 2015 to Calhoon, see
Exhibit H). The Complaint (see Clerk's Record, Complaint pages 1-10)
complied with State and Federal 'notice pleading rules. It alleged
that State elected and appointed officials, sued in their individual
capacities, were violating Sims' civil and constitutional rights
under color of law to deny him equal protection of the law and were
applying a new law in an ex post facto, retroactive manner, and d- :;
described how the violations were occurring . Sims tendered In Forma
Pauperis Affidavit (Clerk's Record, Exhibit D). Sims' sole income is
a VA benefit exempt from the legal and equitable process, exempt from
seizure, levy, attachment or assignment. The clerk made no contest to
the IFP application, and State law absolutely entitled Sims to the
'? si IFP status and the court lost jurisdiction to impose costs and fees
at a later time. On June 30, 2015, Calhoon initialed an Order of
Dismissal (Clerk's Record, see Exhibit B) and referred to Chapter 14
Civil Practice & Remedies Code, section 14 .003(a)(b), without a
factfinding hearing, called Sims' claims 'frivolous' under 14.003
(a)(2), and ordered imposition of costs and fees totaling $274, and
that the clerk send a copy of the Order and Complaint to the depart
ment's General Counsel's Office Litigation Support Program for the
purpose of seizing and attaching the VA benefits in violation of
State and Federal law. The Court was without jurisdiction when it
initialed the void order, and the ruling is bad faith as a matter of
law, intended to force Sims into an expensive appeal and intentionally
delay the proceedings in violation of the Canons of Judicial Conduct
Sims filed a timely request for findings of fact and conclusions of
law via the prison mailbox on July 8, 2015 (Clerks Record.)
VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
Respondent Calhoon has made a ruling that is bad faith as a
matter of law. The Order of Dismissal Calhoon initialed on June 30,
2015 is a void Order subject to this collateral attack, because no
contest was made to the IFP affidavit, the court lost jurisdiction
to impose costs and fees at a later time. See RIOS vs CALHOON, 889
SW2d 257, 258-59 (Texas 1994).
Calhoon took an oath of office to uphold state and federal laws
and is refusing to do so . The bad faith ruling violates Canon 2A of
the Code of Judicial Conduct because Calhoon is required to respect
and comply with the law, includes the appearance of impropriety and
includes violations of the law. Since Calhoon understood that Sims'
sole income was a VA benefit exempt from seizure, levy and attachment
Calhoon's intent in imposing costs and fees when he knew that the
law did not give the court any jurisdiction to do so, was to deny or
impede Sims in the exercise and enjoyment of his right to have the
VA funds exempt from the enumerated judicial processes. Calhoon
ordered the clerk to send a copy of his Order and the complaint to
the department's Litigation Support program with the intent that
the department act to misappropriate the VA funds, which they did in
violation of the law.
"If a party files an affidavit of inability to pay costs ... and
no contest ... Thereafter the party is absolutely entitled to the
exemption from costs." RIOS, supra. "The trial court lacks the
authority to affect the party's entitlement." ID.
The U.S. Supreme Court holds that veterans benefits "Shall not be
liable to attachment, levy, or seizure by or under any legal or
equitable process whatever, either before or after receipt" by the
veteran. ROSE v ROSE, 107 S.CT. 2029 (1987).
3
VIOLATION OF THE LAWS
"Texas is wholely bound by US Laws and Constitution." HARRIS vs
TDCJ, 806 F.Supp. 627 (S.D.Tex. 1992). "State court has a constitu
tional obligation to uphold federal law." STONE vs POWELL, 96 S.CT.
3037. In ordering TDCJ to seize Sims' VA benefits, when they are
not a party to the litigation is also an abuse of the court's dis
cretion by Calhoon. This violates Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial
Conduct, section B(2), that requires Calhoon "shall be faithful to
the law and maintain professional competence in it ." This he refuses
to do.
The Veterans Statutes, §§38 USC 3101(a), 5301(a) 'also precludes
anyone from using any legal or equitable process to attach, levy or
seize these benefits.' DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH vs DAVIS, 616 F.2d 828
(5th Circuit 1980). Calhoon acting for the court was prohibited from
defeating the effects of a statute by judicial construction of his
ruling using Chapter 14 of the Civ .Prac .Rem.Code. ROGERS v TENNESSEE,
121 S.CT. 1693 (2001), to effect a seizure of the VA benefits. The
fact that Calhoon was successful in prompting the department to seize
the VA benefits continues to cause irrepairable harm to Sims and acts
to deprive him of access to the funds- Calhoon knew that the VA benefit
was exempt from any formulary used to calculate cost and fees and he
knew the court had no jurisdiction to impose costs and fees, thus his
ruling is bad faith as a matter of law.
Calling Sims' claims 'frivolous' at the pleading stage was bad
faith as a matter of law because Sims' Complaint complied with state
and federal 'notice pleading' rules. DOWNER v AQUAMARINE OPERATORS,
701 SW2d at 243 (Texas 1985) "Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 47
requires that a petition contain a short statement of the cause of
action sufficient to give fair notice of the claim involved . Our
rules do not require pleadings to contain evidence or factual detail."'
Further, the rules do not require plaintiff to cite any caselaw
in support of the claim, nor to make a prima facie case in the
pleadings at the pleading stage. SWIERKIEWICZ v SOREMA, 122 S.CT.
992 (2002). Since Calhoon merely recited the statute and made a
conclusory statement that the claims were 'frivolous' without any
factfinding hearing or explaining in any way how the facts and law
rendered the claims 'frivolous' the intent of the ruling appears to
be bad faith as a matter of law, and intended to force Sims to enter
into an expensive appeal process and this violates Canon 3(B)(8) of
the Code of Judicial Conduct because it imposes unnecessary cost and
delay. It disposed of Sims' claims and caused irrepairable harm.
If Sims' claims had been 'the department will not sell me chunky
peanut butter' then perhaps a finding that the claims were 'frivolous'
would be merited; however, 'the department' is not a party to the suit
and truthful allegations that State elected or appointed officials are
violating Sims' right to equal protection of the law and his rights
to be protected from ex post facto retroactive application of new
laws is clearly not 'frivolous' at the pleading stage under state
and federal law of 'notice pleading' and call for factfinding and
due process. Sims' pro se complaint was entitled to liberal reading,
ESTELLE v GAMBLE, 97 S.CT. 285; HAINES v KERNER, 92 S.CT. 594 (1972).
Further, "In Forma Pauperis complaint may not be dismissed as frivo
lous simply because court finds plaintiff's allegation unlikely."
DENTON v HERNANDEZ, 112 S.CT. 1728, 1733-34 (1992). As applied,
Chapter 14, Tex.Civ .Prac-Rem.Code is unconstitutional because Calhoon
failed to hold a due process hearing as permitted by 14.003(c) or
14.008(a)(b).
Interpretation of the veterans statute, and, Chapter 14 of the
Texas Civil Practices & Remedies Code is a question of law over
wltich Calhoon had no discretion. IN RE CANALES, 52 SW3d 698
(Texas 2001). The veterans benefits are exempt from the judicial
processes, see ROSE: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, supra.
While §§ 14.003 TCPRC deals with Dismissal of Claim under (a)
and (b), section (c) clearly refers to a hearing in addressing
section (a) applicability, and section (a)(2) addresses 'frivolous'
claim. In making reference to a 'hearing' under 14.003(c), section
14.008(a) and (b) present tha scope of the due process protections
for the inmate, and Calhoon was able to avoid the due process by
failing to hold such a hearing prior to his ruling that the claims
were 'frivolous' which at the pleading stage is a clear abuse of
the court's discretion, and thus as applied, Chapter 14 is an un
constitutional statute. Calhoon knew that the only funds in Sims'
ITF account were VA benefits, and used Chapter 14 as an excuse to
use a proxy to seize the benefits illegally by falsely labeling
Sims' constitutional claims 'frivolous' and Calhoon's statement has
no basis in law. Texas Courts hold that where there has been no
factfinding hearing, the appellate issue is whether the trial court
properly determined the claims were frivolous in inmate's in forma
pauperis suit. See for example MOORE vs HENRRY, 960 SW2d 82 (Tex.
App. 1996). BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY, 3rd Pocket Ed. 2008, defines
"Frivolous" as lacking a legal basis or legal merit; not serious;
not reasonably purposeful. Sims' claims are that State actors are
violating equal protection rights, and, imposing ex post facto a
new law, do in fact have legal merit and a legal basis, thus Calhoon
has made a ruling that is bad faith as a matter of law.
Texas Courts are bound only by decisions of the US Supreme Court
and the Texas Supreme Court. IN RE SENSITIVE CARE, inc., 28 SW3d 35,
39 (Tex.App. 2000), cf PENROD DRILLING CORP vs WILLIAMS, 868 SW2d
294, 296 (Texas 1993); and because of the ruling in RIOS, supra,
the fact that no challenge to Sims' IFP application occurred, the
trial court in this case lost jurisdiction to impose on Sims at a
later date, cost and fees, and Calhoon initialed a void Order of
Dismissal, and the void Order was used to seize VA benefits in vio
lation of clearly established law prohibiting such seizure,, causing
Sims irrepairable harm. Calhoon was acting as an agent for the
clerk in collecting 'cost and fees' by ordering garnishment of Sims'
ITF account, for which State law vests Sims with a property right.
ABDULLAH v STATE, 211 SW3d 938 (Tex.App 2007), and Calhoon's use of
Chapter 14 to effect the garnishment conflicts with the Texas Rules
of Civil Procedure Rule 663a which is unambiguous in its requirement
that Sims be given notice of the garnishment and of his right to re
gain his property, and about specific information that must be provided
so that the garnishment may be contested. The Civil Practices and
Remedies Code, § 63.007 applies to garnishment of inmate accounts,
but those rules were not followed either.
Calhoon abused the court's discretion by acting arbitrarily,
without reference to guiding rules or principles and misapplied the
law to the established facts of the case. DOWNER, supra.
This Court of Appeals would have no jurisdiction to consider
the merits of an appeal from a void judgment, INSURANCE Co. of PENN
SYLVANIA vs MARTINEZ, 18 SW3d 844, and mandamus is appropriate to
set aside Calhoon's void Order.
PRAYER
Sims prays that this court will provide liberal reading of his
pro se petition. That this court find that no contest was made to
the IFP application, and under RIOS, supra, the trial court had no
jurisdiction to enter an Order imposing cost and fees, and find
the Order is void as a matter of law. Relator prays that this Court
will provide all equitable relief by granting the writ of mandamus
and under TRAP Rule 44 find the trial court committed remediable error
and direct the court to correct the error it committed in imposing
cost and fees with no jurisdiction, or in the alternative find the
subject Order of Dismissal void- That this Court will Order the trial
court to produce findings of fact and conclusions of law, necessary
for review; that this court will order the district clerk to produce
the Clerk's Record; and find that the Exhibits of this Petition are
sufficient under GARRETT, infra, for appellate review. That this
court will Order the trial court to withdraw its June 30, 2015 Order
of Dismissal, and send notice to the department's Office of General
Counsel's Litigation Support program and order it to return the VA
benefits seized because they are protected by law from seizure under
equitable and legal process, and if the Anderson County District
Clerk has received any funds derived from Relator's Inmate Trust
Fund account as a result of the trial court's Order that the funds
be returned to the department to be returned to Relator's ITF
account because those funds were VA benefits not subject to the Order .
That this Court will find that the Order of Dismissal was initialed
and issued without due process in violation of state and federal law
and under TRAP Rule 43.2 reverse the trial court's Order and remand
for further proceedings and service of process. Find that no hearing
PRAYER
was conducted by the trial court and no testimony was received
under any hearing permitted by 14.003(c) and 14.008(a) or (b),
and Order the trial court to hold such a due process hearing to
protect relator's rights to a record, since the trial court hearing
officer is using the term 'frivolous' to dismiss the valid const
itutional claims at the pleading stage, and find that this is also
improper under state and federal laws at the pleading stage. Find
that VA benefits are exempt from seizure, levy, assignment or attach
ment under state and federal law, and that the department had no
authority to seize relator's VA benefits that the department officials
knew were VA benefits not subject to seizure, and that the seizure
caused relator irrepairable harm as defined by law-
Relator has asked the Court to waive the filing fee and allow
him to proceed in forma pauperis, and he does not have the capacity
to recopy and mail the text of the caselaw, or Statutes or Rules of
Civil Procedure or Appellate Procedure or Civil Practices & Remedies
Code referred to above, The court is asked to take judicial notice
of its own records and Suspend TRAP Rule 52 .3(j)(1)(C).
Relator ask the court to consider the facts herein as they are
ultimately discovered to be in that no challenge was made to the
IFP application, and under RIOS the court had no jurisdiction to
impose cost and fees at a later time; and that valid equal protection
and ex post facto constitutional violations are not 'frivolous,' and
the trial court hearing officer abused the court's discretion.
Respectfully prayed for, this 27th Day of July, 2015.
0
SIGNED AND ENTERED on this the day of 6/30/15 2015.m ™ o2
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Presiding Judge 3 n ora
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EXHIBIT B
25 FEB 15
Ms- Wanda Burke, Clerk
Anderson County, Texas
500 North Church
Palestine, TX 75801
RE: Filing of Complaint, and Service of Process
TO THE HONORABLE WANDA BURKE:
Dear Ms. Burke, please find enclosed an original complaint under
§1983, and ten copies for service of process on the named defendants.
I have tendered an Affidavit of Inability to Pay Cost and I am
indigent within the meaning of the State's definition.
Would you please send me the number of the cause you assign to
this case? I have enclosed an SASE for the purpose, thank you.
Kind regards,
T^g°
Billy R. Sims, 511649
Powledge Unit, TDCJ-CID
1400 FM 3452
Palestine, TX 75803-2350
EXHIBIT C
DECLARATION OF INABILITY TO PAY COST
Comes now Billy Ross Sims, 511649, and declares I am unable to
pay the cost in tnis cause and ata too poor to afford counsel and
request leave to proceed in forma pauperis. I am indigent within
the meaning of the term, and the court has previously recognized
this and granted in forma pauperis status, and would show the
court the following:
1. I am presently incarcerated at the Powledge Unit, TDCJ-CID
. where I am not allowed to earn or haaridlenioney.
where la
2. I have no spousal incoae.
3. I only have $4.28 credited to me in the Inmate Trust Fund.
4. During ray incarceration I receive £133.17 a month from a
VA disability benefit exempt from levy, attachment, seizure
or assignment. I have not received any money as a gift
from family or friends in the last 6 months.
5. I do not own any interest in realty, stocks, bonds or bank
accounts nor receive any interest or dividend income frota
any source.
6. I have no dependents.
7. 1 nave a total debt of $20,000.00.
8. My monthly expenses are about $133.00.
I, Billy R. Sims, 511649, being presently incarcerated in the
TDCJ-CID, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is
true and dStt&f.
Signed this 25th Day °^ February 2015.
1A^§-
~~~7I ,. SIMS, 511649
1400 FM 3452
Palestine, TX 75803-2350
EXHIBIT D
Anderson County
JANICE STAPLES
District Clerk 500 North Church Street,Room II
Telephone (903) 723 7412 Palestine, Texas 75801
Palestine, Texas /5801
March 3, 2015
NOTICE OF FILING
Billy Ross Sims #511649
Powledge Unit
1400 FM 3452
Palestine, Texas75803-2350
RE: Complaint
Dear Mr . Sims;
Please be advised that your Complaint was received and filed in
Anderson County District Clerk's office on March 2, 2015. Your case
was given Cause Number 3-42362 in the 3rd Judicial District Court of
Anderson County, Texas.
Sincerely,
signed Janice Staples
Janice Staples, District Clerk
EXHIBIT E
March 20, 2015
Ms. Janice Staples, District Clerk
500 North Church Street, Room 18
Palestine, Texas 75801
RE: CAUSE NUMBER 3-42362 3rd Judicial District Court
TO THE HONORABLE JANICE STAPLES:
I'm writing to make inquiry on the above case number and the
status of the Service of Process. Can you inform me of the name and
address of the Constable charged with the Service of Process? I
would like to have a copy of the Return to calculate Default Judge-
,emt.
Also, can you inform me of the name of the presiding judge of the
3rd Judicial District Court of Anderson County, Texas, and any
address if it differs from your's?
I have enclosed a SASE for your professional reply .
In closing, I noticed that your NOTICE OF FILING letter dated
March 3, 2015, didn't list your website address; and so could you send
me your official website location so that I may refer others to it?
Kind regards,
Ij^f^
Billy Ross Sims, 511649
Powledge Unit
1400 FM 3452
Palestine, TX 75803-
EXHIBIT F
SECOND REQUEST
April 8, 2015
Ms. Janice Staples, District Clerk
500 North Church Street, Room 18
Palestine, Texas 75801
RE: Cause Number 3-42362 3rd Judicial District Court of Anderson
County, Texas
Subject: Service of Process regarding Complaint and Citation
TO THE HONORABLE JANICE STAPLES:
I'm writing to make inquiry on the above numbered case and the
status of the issuing of the Citation and service of process?
When I filed the complaint, my letter dated 25 FEB 15 that I sent
with the copies for each named defendant, I had indicated the copies
were for service of process. I'm a pro se layman, and perhaps not as
knowledgible of standard practices. Was it required that I actually
ask the clerk for "Citation" to be issued? I apologize for any error
in protocol, but I would like to have Citation issued for each
defendant and service of process with each of the copies I sent for
that purpose.
Your subsequent NOTICE OF FILING letter to me, dated March 3, 2015
sent me the number of the assigned cause you issued and the name of
the 3rd Judicial District Court of Anderson County, Texas.
On March 20, 2015 I sent your office an inquiry on the status of
the case regarding service of process, but I didn't get any peply
from your office. I asked a friend to call your office but she was
told your computer system is down and to keep calling back, but I am
asking about the service of process which I presumed as a pro se lay
man included the issuing of the Citation and mailing of the complaint
to the defendants via service of process.
Can you tell me if you have accomplished that? My access to the
court is limited to the U.S. Mail unless you can arrange for a phone
conference with me here at the local law library of the prison unit
where I might be able to get the matter straight and understand if
you require anything further from my side?
Can you send me the URL of your website so I can refer others to it
and keep track that way? I had enclosed a self addressed stamped
envelope with my previous inquiry and you should have that in the
record. Can you acknowledge if you received that mailing? My last
letter to your office was dated March 20, 2015. Thank you, sincerely,
BILLY ROSS SIMS, 511649, Powledge Unit, 1400 FM 3452, Palestine, TX 75803,
EXHIBIT G
April 11, 2015
Judge Mark A. Calhoon
3rd Judicial District Court of
Anderson County, Texas
500 North Church Street. Room 18
Palestine, Texas 75801
RE: Case Number 3-42362 - Billy Ross Sims, TDCJ # 511649
TO THE HONORABLE MARK CALHOON:
Dear Judge Calhoon,
I am the Petitioner in the above numbered cause. I filed the
Complaint on February 27, 2015, under the prison mailbox rule; and
the District Clerk, Janice Staples sent me a NOTICE OF FILING letter
dated March 3, 2015.
I supplied the clerk with a copy of the Complaint for every
named defendant, see my letter dated 25 FEB 15 to the clerk attached
below; and my pro se language indicated the copies were for 'Service
of Process.' It didn't occur to me as a layman that I needed to or
was required to actually ask for "Citation" to be issued, as I had
presumed this was inclusive of Service of Process.
When I didn't hear back from the clerk within a reasonable time
on the Service of Process, I sent a letter dated March 20, 2015. see
copy of letter attached below, asking after the Service of Process
status. I didn't get a reply, and so I asked a person to call the
clerk and make an inquiry, but the clerk's office told my factotum
that their website (the clerk's website) was 'down' and to call back
every day. This didn't resolve the question of the Service of Process.
It was reasonable to expect the clerk to respondIprofessionally to
my inquiry about the Service of Process, but I still haven't received
a reply and I furnished an SASE with the March 20, 2015 letter.
I have sent a 'Second Request' letter dated April 8, 2015; but
it occurs to me that I should write to you as the judge to let you
know about my ernest efforts to obtain Service of Process. My access
to the court is limited to the US Mail, unless you'd agree to a tele
conference with me at the law library here? Would you consider giving
me a limited appointment of counsel to resolve the service of p rocess
issue? The Anderson County District Clerk appears to be refusing to
communicate with me and this denies me access to the courthouse.
EXHIBIT H
I would like to move forward with the case and any consideration
would be sincerely appreciated.
Billy R. Sims, 511649
Powledge Unit
1400 FM 3452
Palestine, TX 75803-2350
EXHIBIT H