ACCEPTED
14-15-00696-CV
FOURTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
10/7/2015 8:20:53 AM
The Love DuCote Law Firm CHRISTOPHER PRINE
CLERK
A Limited Liability Company
Leigh Love 4610 Sweetwater Blvd., Suite 210 Jeremy B. DuCote
Attorney at Law Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Attorney at Law
Ldgh@lQveducoleiawx(.>m 832.471.690a phone iejejny^loYeducoteWaiQm
832.553.7765 facsimile FILED IN
14th COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
October 6, 2015
10/7/2015 8:20:53 AM
CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
Via E-Filing Clerk
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
301 Fannin, Room 245
H o u s t o n , Te x a s 7 7 0 0 2
Re: 14-15-00696-CV; In the Court of Appeals for the
F o u r t e e n t h D i s t r i c t a t H o u s t o n , Te x a s ; I n R e J , C . f
A p p e l l a n t v s . T h e S t a t e o f Te x a s ^ A p p e l l e e , O n
Appeal from the County Court at Law No. Four (4),
S i t t i n g a s a J u v e n i l e C o u r t , o f F o r t B e n d C o u n t y,
Te x a s , C a u s e N o . 1 4 - C J V - 0 1 8 9 0 9
Dear Justices:
Please allow this letter to serve as Appellant's
response to your request regarding whether the 14^^
Court of Appeals' appellate jurisdiction was properly
invoked.
APPELLANT INVOKED THIS HONORABLE COURT'S
A P P E L L AT E JURISDCITION
T h e q u e s t i o n p r e s e n t e d i s w h e t h e r A p p e l l a n t fi l e d
written notice of appeal. This Court notes in its
letter to appellate counsel on September 23, 2015, that
t h e C l e r k ' s R e c o r d fi l e d S e p t e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 5 , r e fl e c t s
the trial court entered an order memorializing
appellant's oral notice of appeal which was given by
Appellant on May 13, 2015. However, in addition to the
court receiving oral notice of appeal, the court also
received written notice of appeal on May 18, 2015, when
Appellant fi l e d Respondent's Motion to Substitute
Counsel. See Appellant's Exhibit A, attached hereto.
In said motion, trial counsel informed the court of
Respondent's intent to appeal his case. S p e c i fi c a l l y ,
the motion states, "[t]he Respondent has communicated
to his attorney of record a desire to appeal this case
to the Court of Appeals...." See Exhibit A. This notice
of appeal was included in the body of a motion entitled
"Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel," but
n o n e t h e l e s s s a t i s fi e s t h e n o t i c e r e q u i r e m e n t s o u t l i n e d
i n t h e Te x a s R u l e s o f A p p e l l a t e P r o c e d u r e .
A P P E L A N T G A V E T I M E L Y, W R I T T E N N O T I C E O F A P P E A L
The notice of appeal in the instant case is proper
because it comports with the rule governing the direct
a p p e a l o f a c r i m i n a l c a s e , n a m e l y Te x . R . A p p . P r o .
2 5 . 2 , e t . s e q . S p e c i fi c a l l y , t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f T e x .
R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 a r e s a t i s fi e d b e c a u s e t h e n o t i c e o f
a p p e a l a t i s s u e ( 1 ) w a s t i m e l y fi l e d ; ( 2 ) i s i n
w r i t i n g , ( 3 ) s p e c i fi e s R e s p o n d e n t ' s d e s i r e t o a p p e a l ,
a n d ( 4 ) w a s fi l e d w i t h t h e t r i a l c o u r t . ( S e e T e x . R .
A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 ( c ) . F o r m a n d S u f fi c i e n c y o f N o t i c e ,
stating that (1) "notice must be given in writing and
fi l e d w i t h t h e t r i a l c o u r t c l e r k " a n d ( 2 ) " n o t i c e i s
s u f fi c i e n t i f i t s h o w s t h e p a r t y ' s d e s i r e t o a p p e a l
f r o m t h e j u d g m e n t o r o t h e r a p p e a l a b l e o r d e r. . . . " ) .
Moreover, a "general" notice is s u f fi c i e n t if the
appeal is from a judgment rendered by a jury or judge
after a trial, which is what transpired in the case at
bar. Thus, the appeal was perfected when trial counsel
t i m e l y fi l e d i t o n M a y 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 .
APPELLANT MADE A BONA FIDE AT T M E P T TO INVOKE
THIS COURT'S A P P E L L AT E JURSIDICTION
It is a well-settled proposition that a court of
appeals has jurisdiction over an appeal if the
a p p e l l a n t t i m e l y fi l e s a n i n s t r u m e n t i n a b o n a fi d e
attempt to invoke the appellate court's jurisdiction.
Ve r b u r g t v. D o r n e r, 9 5 9 S W 2 d 6 1 5 ( 1 9 9 7 ) . Ve r b u r g t a l s o
r e a f fi r m s t h e p r i n c i p l e t h a t " a p p e l l a t e c o u r t s s h o u l d
not dismiss an appeal for a procedural defect whenever
any arguable interpretation of the Rules of Appellate
p r o c e d u r e s h o u l d p r e s e r v e t h e a p p e a l . " C l e a r l y,
A p p e l l a n t m a d e a b o n e fi d e a t t e m p t t o i n v o k e t h i s
H o n o r a b l e C o u r t ' s j u r i s d i c t i o n w h e n h e fi l e d a m o t i o n
w h i c h s p e c i fi c a l l y s t a t e d t h a t h e h a s " a d e s i r e t o
appeal this case to the Court of Appeals." See Exhibit
A .
It is abundantly clear that all of the parties
involved have knowledge that Appellant timely expressed
his desire to appeal when the Motion to Substitute
Counsel and the the trial court's order memorializing
appellant's oral notice of appeal given on May 13,
2015, are reviewed. Based on the foregoing, it is also
clear that this Honorable Court's jurisdiction was
p r o p e r l y i n v o k e d . A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t
t h e A p p e l l a n t i n t h i s c a s e i s a j u v e n i l e . C e r t a i n l y,
additional latitude should be given in matters
concerning juveniles, especially since the courts have
a duty to protect children's rights.
AMENDED NOTICE OF APPEAL
Should this Honorable Court determine that the notice
of appeal is defective simply because it was not
labeled "Notice of Appeal" or is defective for some
o t h e r r e a s o n . R e s p o n d e n t r e s p e c t f u l l y fi l e s a n a m e n d e d
n o t i c e o f a p p e a l p u r s u a n t t o Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 ( f )
a n d Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 3 7 . 1 . R e s p o n d e n t c o n t e n d s h i s
a m e n d e d n o t i c e i s p r o p e r a n d t i m e l y fi l e d b e c a u s e i t i s
fi l e d p r i o r t o t h e fi l i n g o f A p p e l l a n t ' s b r i e f . S e e
Appellant's Exhibit B, attached hereto.
In accordance with Appellant's contention, the Court
of Criminal Appeals stated that "[f]or judges,
defendants, and prosecutors to err is human, but to
r e p a i r i s n o w p o s s i b l e . T h e Te x a s R u l e s o f A p p e l l a t e
Procedure were amended in 2002 to prevent trivial,
repairable mistakes or defects from divesting appellate
courts of jurisdiction to consider the merits of both
State and defense appeals in criminal cases. Defective
notices of appeal many now be amended 'at any time
b e f o r e t h e a p p e a l i n g p a r t y ' s b r i e f i s fi l e d , " ' F e w v .
S t a t e , 2 3 0 S . W . S d 1 8 4 , 1 8 7 ( Te x . C r i m . A p p . 2 0 0 3 )
c i t i n g Te x . R . A p p . P r o . 2 5 . 2 ( f ) . S e e A l s o G r a n d
P r a i r i e I n d e p e n d e n t S c h o o l D i s t r i c t v. S . P a r t s I m p s . ,
I n c . , 8 1 3 S . W . 2 d 4 9 9 , 5 0 0 ( Te x . 1 9 9 1 ) ( h o l d i n g t h a t a
court of appeals may not dismiss an appeal in which the
a p p e l l a n t fi l e d t h e w r o n g i n s t r u m e n t r e q u i r e d t o
perfect the appeal without giving the appellant an
opportunity to correct the error, as long as the
i n s t r u m e n t w a s t i m e l y fi l e d i n a b o n a fi d e a t t e m p t t o
invoke the appellate court's jurisdiction.) If the
courts are going out of their way to not infringe upon
a defendant's constitutional right to appeal, then
again, even more deference should be given to a child's
constitutional right to appeal, especially when the
child has been subjected to the loss of his liberty and
h a s b e e n i n s t i t u t i o n a l l y c o n fi n e d , a s i n t h e c a s e a t
b a r .
Appellant respectfully requests that this Honorable
C o u r t r e c o g n i z e h i s t i m e l y - fi l e d , o r i g i n a l n o t i c e o f
appeal given in his Motion to Substitute Counsel. In
the alternative, should this Court fi n d that the
original notice was defective. Appellant respectfully
requests this Court to allow him the opportunity to
cure any defect and recognize his Amended Notice of
Appeal.
Furthermore, should this Honorable Court desire
additional information or have further questions,
Appellant respectfully requests the opportunity for
f o r m a l b r i e fi n g a n d a r g u m e n t o n t h e m a t t e r b e f o r e t h i s
Court makes its fi n a l decision.
Respectfully submitted.
Attorney at Law
cc: John Harrity
Counsel for Appellee
F o r t B e n d C o u n t y D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y ' s O f fi c e
via email to John.Harrity@fortbendcountytx.gov
h)(KIB/T A
14-GW-018S09
M08U
MoSsn on SttbtStulIofl
88922S7
CAUSE NO. 14-CJV-018909
IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 4
SITTING AS A JUVENILE COURT
A JUVENILE FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS
R E S P O N D E N T ' S M O T I O N TO S U B S T I T U T E C O U N S E L
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT;
COMES NOW, Jonathan Casey, Respondent in the above-styled and numbered cause, by
and through his attorney of record, Andrew Dombuig, and moves this Honorable Court, to grant
this Motion to Substitute Counsel and new appellate counsel. In support of said motion.
Respondent would show the following:
A. Background
The Respondent stands adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct by
committing the offense of Aggravated Robbery on or about May 2, 2014. The Respondent's
case was concluded after the disposition phase of trial on May 13,2015.
B. Request to Substitute Connscl
The Respondent has communicated to his attorney of record a desire to appeal this case
to the Court of Appeals, and therefore is requesting appellate counsel be appointed. To avoid
any possible conflict, his attorney of record requests that new appellate counsel be appointed to
represent the Respondent at the appellate level.
u o
p r a y e r
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Respondent moves this Honorable Court to
grant Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel, and for all other relief, either in law or in
equity, to which Respondent may be entitled.
Respectfully submitted.
By: V/
Andrew Domburg
State Bar Id. 24049861
201 Jackson St., 2"^ Floor
Richmond, Texas 77469
(832) 449-6116 Office
(832) 553-7273 Facsimile
AT T O R N E Y F O R R E S P O N D E N T
C E R T I F I C AT E O F S E R V I C E
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the Respondent's Motion for Continuance
was served upon the Assistant District Attorney of Fort Bend County on this the 18^ day of May,
2015 as set forth below:
Via Hand Delivery
- < 5 3 iV
S •
s r
tV^HIBlT B
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
F O U R T E E N T H D I S T R I C T AT H O U S T O N T E X A S
NO. 14-15-00696-CV
J O N AT H A N CASEY On Appeal from fhe
County
Appellant,
Court at Law No. Four
(4), Sitting as a
Juvenile Court, Fort
B e n d C o u n t y , Te x a s
Cause #14-CJV-018909
THE S TAT E OF TEXAS
Appellee
APPELLANT'S AMENDED NOTICE OF APPEAL
141500696CV Amended Notice of Appeal CASEY
TO T H E H O N O R A B L E J U D G E O F S A I D C O U RT:
N o w c o m e s J o n a t h a n C a s e y, A p p e l l a n t i n t h e a b o v e -
styled and numbered cause, and gives this amended
written notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals of the
S t a t e o f Te x a s f r o m t h e j u d g m e n t o f c o n v i c t i o n a n d
sentence herein rendered against Jonathan Casey.
Appellant further shows that written notice of
appeal was effected by providing notice within
R e s p o n d e n t ' s M o t i o n t o S u b s t i t u t e C o u n s e l fi l e d o n M a y
18, 2015 by ANDREW DORNBURG, Appellant's trial attorney
of record, attached as Exhibit A.
Respectfully submitted.
The Love DuCote Law Firm LLC
4610 Sweetwater Blvd.
Suite 210
S u g a r L a n d , Te x a s 7 7 4 7 9
832.471.6904 phone
832.553.7765 facsimile
LEIGH L
State B&r No. 2^4058364
leigh@loveducotelaw.com
AT TO R N E Y FOR APPELLANT
J O N AT H A N CASEY
141500696CV Amended Notice of Appeal CASEY
C E R T I F I C AT E O F S E R V I C E
This is to certify that on October 6^^/ 2015, a true
and correct copy of the above and foregoing document
w a s s e r v e d o n t h e D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y ' s O f fi c e , F o r t B e n d
C o u n t y , 1 4 2 2 E u g e n e H e i m a n n C i r c l e , R i c h m o n d , Te x a s
77469, by facsimile transmission to 281.341.4440 and by
e m a i l t o J o h n . H a r r i t y @ f o r t b e n d c o u n t y t x . g o v.
141500696CV |Amended Notice of Appeal |CASEY
E X H I B I TA
14-CJV-018909
M08U
Motion on Substitution
35922S7
CAUSE NO. 14-CJV-018909
I N T H E M AT T E R O F C O U N T Y C O U RT AT L AW N O . 4
SITTING AS A JUVENILE COURT
A JUVENILE FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS
RESPONDENT'S MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE COUNSEL
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
COMES NOW, Jonathan Casey, Respondent in the above-styled and numbered cause, by
and through his attorney of record, Andrew Domburg, and moves this Honorable Court, to grant
this Motion to Substitute Coimsel and new appellate coimsel. In support of said motion,
Respondent would show the following:
A. Background
The Respondent stands adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct by
committing the offense of Aggravated Robbery on or about May 2, 2014. The Respondent's
case was concluded after the disposition phase of trial on May 13,2015.
B. Request to Substitute Counsel
The Respondent has communicated to his attorney of record a desire to appeal this case
to the Court of Appeals, and therefore is requesting appellate counsel be appointed. To avoid
any possible conflict, his attorney of record requests that new appellate counsel be appointed to
represent the Respondent at the appellate level.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Respondent moves this Honorable Court to
grant Respondent's Motion to Substitute Counsel, and for all other relief, either in law or in
equity, to which Respondent may be entitled.
Respectfully submitted.
By:i:r IZZ
Andrew Dombfarg
State Bar Id, 24049861
201 Jackson St., 2"^ Floor
Richmond, Texas 77469
(832) 449-6116 Office
(832) 553-7273 Facsimile
AT T O R N E Y F O R R E S P O N D E N T
C E R T I F I C AT E O F S E R V I C E
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the Respondent's Motion for Continuance
was served upon the Assistant District Attorney of Fort Bend County on this the 18*'' day of May,
2015 as set forth below:
Via Hand Delivery
)!¥
1