ACCEPTED
03-16-00334-CR
13121078
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
10/7/2016 10:56:00 AM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
CLERK
CAUSE NO. 03-16-00334-CR
_________________________________________________
FILED IN
3rd COURT OF APPEALS
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS
FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS 10/7/2016 10:56:00 AM
AUSTIN DIVISION JEFFREY D. KYLE
_________________________________________________Clerk
MAJOR THOMAS DAVIS §
§
v. §
§
THE STATE OF TEXAS §
_______________________________________________
APPELLANT’S BRIEF
_______________________________________________
Justin Bradford Smith
Texas Bar No. 24072348
Harrell, Stoebner, & Russell, P.C.
2106 Bird Creek Drive
Temple, Texas 76502
Phone: (254) 771-1855
FAX: (254) 771-2082
Email: justin@templelawoffice.com
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
ORAL ARGUMENT NOT REQUESTED
1
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
Appellant
Major Thomas Davis
Appellant’s Counsel
Justin Bradford Smith
Harrell, Stoebner, & Russell, P.C.
2106 Bird Creek Drive
Temple, Texas 76502
Phone: 254-771-1855
Fax: 254-771-2082
Email: justin@templelawoffice.com
Appellant’s Trial Counsel
Jon Jon McDurmitt
P.O. Box 855
Belton, Texas 76513
Phone: 254-913-1866
Fax: 254-947-8057
Email: jmcdurmitt@gmail.com
Appellee
State of Texas
Appellee’s Trial Counsel
Clarence T. Clark
Bell County District Attorney
P.O. Box 540
Belton, Texas 76513
Phone: 254-933-5215
Fax: 254-933-5238
Appellee’s Appellate Counsel
Bob Odom
Bell County District Attorney’s Office
Email: DistrictAttorney@co.bell.tx.us
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Identity of Parties and Counsel…………………………..………………………... 2
Table of Contents……………………………………….………………………..3-4
Index of Authorities…………………………………….………………………..5-6
Statement of the Case……………………………………….……………………...7
Issue Presented….……………..………....…………………….….……………….7
ISSUE ONE: The statute authorizing the imposition of a sheriff’s fee
does not support the amount actually assessed in this
case, so the judgment should be reformed accordingly……...7
ISSUE TWO: The judgment does not correctly specify the statute for
the offense, and should be reformed accordingly…………...7
Statement of Facts…………………………………..……………………………7-8
Summary of the Argument……………………………..……………………..........9
ISSUE ONE: The statute authorizing the imposition of a sheriff’s fee
does not support the amount actually assessed in this
case, so the judgment should be reformed accordingly……...9
Argument………………………………………………………………………10-23
Standard of Review and Applicable Law…...……………………………………10
Application………………………………………………..…………………...11-23
1. Fees for the services of peace officers are statutorily authorized…...11-16
2. Applying the statute to reflect the proper amount of costs………….16-20
A. Subsection (a)(1)…………………………………………………….16
B. Subsection (a)(6)…………………………………………………16-17
3
C. Subsection (b)(1)………………………………………………...17-20
3. Addressing Love v. State…………………………………………….20-23
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...23
Summary of the Argument……………………………..……………………........24
ISSUE TWO: The judgment does not correctly specify the statute for
the offense, and should be reformed accordingly………….24
Argument…………………………………………………………………........24-25
Law and Application…………………………………………………………..24-25
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...25
Prayer…………………..……………………………………………………...25-26
Certificate of Compliance………………………………………………………....26
Certificate of Service……………………………………………………………...27
Appendix………………………………………………………………………….28
4
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
Texas Supreme Court:
Camacho v. Samaniego, 831 S.W.2d 804
(Tex. 1992)……………………………………………………………........11
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals:
Johnson v. State, 423 S.W.3d 385
(Tex. Crim. App. 2014)……………………………………………..10, 22-23
Texas Courts of Appeal:
Hendee v. Dewhurst, 228 S.W.3d 354
(Tex. App.—Austin 2007, pet. denied)…………………………………….18
Houston v. State, 410 S.W.3d 475
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013, no pet.)………………………………........15
Hubbard v. State, 02-13-00300-CR, 2014 WL 1767475
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 1, 2014, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication)………………………………...15
LaBranche v. State, 03-12-00473-CR, 2014 WL 3411207
(Tex. App.—Austin July 11, 2014, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication)……………………………..24-25
Love v. State, 03-15-00462-CR, 2016 WL 1183676
(Tex. App.—Austin Mar. 22, 2016, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication)………........20, 22-23, n. 16, n. 18
Penright v. State, 01-12-00647-CR, 2015 WL 5770006
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Sept. 29, 2015, no pet.)
(published)…………………………………………………………....19, n.15
In re P.M.G., 405 S.W.3d 406
(Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, no pet.)…………………………………….18
5
Williams v. State, 01-15-00871-CR, 2016 WL 4150904
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 4, 2016, pet. filed)
(published)…………………………………………………………….17, n. 9
Wright v. State, 03-14-00468-CR, 2015 WL 4609743
(Tex. App.—Austin July 28, 2015, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication)…………………………….22, 25
Statutes/Rules:
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 14.01……………………………………….7-8, 16, n. 1
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 23.01…………………………………………...17, n. 10
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 25.01…………………………………………….14, n. 7
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 102.001…………………………11, 20, n. 5, n. 16
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 102.011………………….11, 14, 16-23, n. 5, n. 6,
…………………………n. 10, n. 17, n. 18
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 103.002………………………………...11, 21-23, n. 17
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 103.007……………………………………………….15
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 103.009………………………………………...19, n. 15
Tex. Pen. Code § 38.04(a)………………………………………………...8, 25, n. 2
Tex. Pen. Code § 38.04(b)(2)(A)……………………………………...8, 11, 25, n. 3
Tex. R. Evid. 201(b)(2)…………………………………………………………...18
Tex. R. App. P. 34.5(c)(1)………………………………………………….19, n. 15
Other:
Op. Tex. Att’y Gen. No. GA-1063 (2014)……………………………...16-17, n. 10
6
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Nature of the Case: This is an appeal from a conviction evading arrest or
detention with a motor vehicle. (I C.R. at 31-33).
Judge/Court: Judge Martha J. Trudo, 264th District Court, Bell County.
(I C.R. at 31).
Pleas: Guilty. (I C.R. at 31) (III R.R. at 6).
Trial Court Disposition: The trial court sentenced Appellant to five years of
imprisonment and imposed $251.00 in court costs.
(IV R.R. at 9) (I C.R. at 31).
ISSUES PRESENTED
ISSUE ONE: The statute authorizing the imposition of a sheriff’s fee does
not support the amount actually assessed in this case, so the judgment should be
reformed accordingly.
ISSUE TWO: The judgment does not correctly specify the statute for the
offense, and should be reformed accordingly.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
While driving a vehicle erratically, Appellant fled from the police before
they arrested him in the driveway of a residence in Temple. (I C.R. at 7); (I Sealed
C.R. at 55).1 Appellant (II R.R. at 23-24; 27) (I C.R. at 4; 7). Appellant was
1
Although the record contains an Affidavit for Arrest, (I C.R. at 7), Appellant’s arrest must
have occurred without a warrant since the offense occurred in plain view. (I C.R. at 7); Tex.
Crim. Proc. Code art. 14.01 (allowing for arrests without a warrant for offenses committed in an
officer’s presence or within his view). Also, the indictment alleges that the offense occurred on
the same day that the arrest warrant describes the offense occurred, (I C.R. at 4-7), making it
highly unlikely that the police detained Appellant’s movement while they sought authority (an
7
indicted for the offense of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle,2 a third-
degree felony.3 Appellant pled guilty before the court, and the trial court assessed
Appellant’s punishment based only on the Presentence Investigation Report and
the arguments of counsel. (III R.R. at 5-7) (IV R.R. at 4-10). (I Sealed C.R. at 49-
63). The Court sentenced Appellant to five years of imprisonment with no fine.
(IV R.R. at 9).
The judgment imposes costs in the amount of $251.00, of which $25 is for a
sheriff fee, payable after release from incarceration. (I C.R. at 31-32). The bill of
costs reflects no payments made. (I C.R. at 37). The record contains a “Precept to
Serve Copy of Indictment” with an executed sheriff’s return. (I C.R. at 12).
Although the record shows an “Order Setting Bond”, Appellant was never
released, since he received jail time credit from the date of his arrest to the date of
the sentencing hearing. (I C.R. at 14; 31) (IV R.R. at 1).4 The judgment reflects
the statute for the offense as merely “38.04 Penal Code”. (I C.R. at 31).
arrest warrant) they already had (Article 14.01). Indeed, although the record contains a “Warrant
of Arrest”, (I C.R. at 13), manifestly Appellant was already in custody by the time the warrant
was issued because it was both received by the officer and executed at the same time. (I C.R. at
13) (Officer’s Return shows the warrant “[c]ame to hand” on December 18, 2015 at 8 am, and
was executed at 8 am, on the same day). And, most tellingly, Appellant received credit for time
served from the date of his arrest to the date of sentencing, and the date of arrest is December 17,
2015, before the arrest warrant was issued on December 18, 2015. (I C.R. at 13; 25; 31) (IV
R.R. at 1).
2
Tex. Pen. Code § 38.04(a).
3
Tex. Pen. Code § 38.04(b)(2)(A).
4
After pleading guilty, Appellant asked to be released on a personal recognizance bond pending
sentencing to participate in a program called “True Grind”, (III R.R. at 8), which his attorney
described as a “residential facility where an individual would live, participate in Christian
8
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
ISSUE ONE: The statute authorizing the imposition of a sheriff’s fee does
not support the amount actually assessed in this case, so the judgment should be
reformed accordingly.
Court costs may be challenged for the first time on appeal, and they require a
statutory basis to withstand such a challenge.
The judgment imposes $251.00 in costs. Of those, $25 is for a sheriff fee.
While there is a statutory basis for assessing a sheriff fee, the amounts authorized
by the statute, because performed by a peace officer, do not add up, on this record,
to $25. Instead, $10.87 should be assessed and the judgment modified
accordingly.
activities, and [a person associated with the facility] finds employment for these people”. (III
R.R. at 11). The judge stated she was “not familiar with what [True Grind] is”, (III R.R. at 10),
and thus withheld approving the request for a bond until she could determine if release was
appropriate. (III R.R. at 12). At sentencing it was evident that Appellant was not released, since
his attorney highlighted his participation in programs at the Bell County jail, and while he
offered True Grind as a preferred option for release upon probation, he made no mention of
Appellant participating in the program thus far. (IV R.R. at 5-7). Even the Order Setting Bond
is conditional: it sets bond at $1,000 “maybe”, and contains a notation asking for information
about True Grind. (I C.R. at 14) (III R.R. at 11-12) (“With respect to the bond, the Court is
going to ask PR to interview the defendant and report to the Judge, and then let the Court know
about this True Grind because I’m not familiar with it at all at this point.”). This conforms to the
trial court’s in-court conditional setting of the terms of the bond pending her evaluation of the
True Grind program. (III R.R. at 11-12). And, of course, Appellant received credit for the entire
period between his arrest and his sentencing. (I C.R. at 25; 31) (IV R.R. at 1).
9
ARGUMENT
Standard of Review and Applicable Law
A challenge to the bases of assessed court costs may be raised for the first
time on appeal. Johnson v. State, 423 S.W.3d 385, 390 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).
When reviewing the record supporting court costs, the appellate court determines
whether there is a “basis for the cost”, not whether there is “sufficient evidence
offered at trial to prove each cost”. Id. at 390. Thus, “traditional Jackson
evidentiary sufficiency principles do not apply.” Id.
Court costs need not be “orally pronounced nor incorporated by reference in
the judgment to be effective.” Id. at 389. Therefore, “when a specific amount of
court costs is written in the judgment, an appellate court errs when it deletes the
specific amount if there is a basis for the cost.” Id. Still, only “statutorily
authorized court costs may be assessed against a criminal defendant”. Id. Thus,
when evaluating court costs, the reviewing court determines whether there is a
statutory basis for the costs. Id. at 395-396. “[A] specific amount of court costs
need not be supported by a bill of costs in the appellate record for a reviewing
court to conclude that the assessed court costs are supported by facts in the record.
However…although a bill of costs is not required to sustain statutorily authorized
and assessed court costs, it is the most expedient, and therefore, preferable
method.” Id.
10
Application
1. Fees for the services of peace officers are statutorily authorized
“The only fees that the sheriff may collect in criminal matters are
enumerated in Code of Criminal Procedure sections 102.001 and 102.11.”
Camacho v. Samaniego, 831 S.W.2d 804, 812 (Tex. 1992); Tex. Code Crim. Proc.
art. 103.002 (“An officer may not impose a cost for a service not performed or for
a service for which a cost is not expressly provided by law.”). Article 102.001
does not apply to this case, and arguably does not apply to any defendant’s case,
since subsection (a) has been repealed, and subsection (b) reads, “[i]n addition to
fees provided by Subsection (a), a defendant required to pay fees under this article
shall also pay 15 cents per mile….” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.001(b)
(emphasis added). No other part of the statute tells us when a defendant is
“required to pay fees under this article”, though subsection (a) used to provide for
certain mandatory costs upon conviction of a misdemeanor. (Appendix, Tab 1).5
Even if subsection (a) still told us when Article 102.001 applies (i.e., to
misdemeanors), Appellant was convicted of a third degree felony. (I C.R. at 31);
Tex. Pen. Code § 38.04(b)(2)(A). Article 102.001 does not apply to this case.
However, Article 102.011 does. In relevant part, that article provides:
5
Applying the mileage provision of 102.001(b) would present the additional problem that, as we
will shortly see, Article 102.011(b) contains a mileage provision for essentially the same
conduct. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(b). Double recoveries are prohibited to civil
plaintiffs, and should be to the State as well.
11
“(a) A defendant convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor
shall pay the following fees for services performed in the
case by a peace officer:
(1) $5 for issuing a written notice to appear in
court following the defendant's violation of a
traffic law, municipal ordinance, or penal law
of this state, or for making an arrest without a
warrant;
(2) $50 for executing or processing an issued arrest
warrant, capias, or capias pro fine with the fee
imposed for the services of:
(A) the law enforcement agency that
executed the arrest warrant or
capias, if the agency requests of
the court, not later than the 15th
day after the date of the
execution of the arrest warrant
or capias, the imposition of the
fee on conviction;
or
(B) the law enforcement agency that
processed the arrest warrant or
capias, if:
(i) the arrest warrant or capias
was not executed; or
(ii) the executing law
enforcement agency failed to
request the fee within the
period required by Paragraph
(A) of this subdivision;
(3) $5 for summoning a witness;
12
(4) $35 for serving a writ not otherwise listed in
this article;
(5) $10 for taking and approving a bond and, if
necessary, returning the bond to the
courthouse;
(6) $5 for commitment or release;
(7) $5 for summoning a jury, if a jury is
summoned; and
(8) $8 for each day’s attendance of a prisoner in a
habeas corpus case if the prisoner has been
remanded to custody or held to bail.
(b) In addition to fees provided by Subsection (a) of this
article, a defendant required to pay fees under this article
shall also pay 29 cents per mile for mileage required of
an officer to perform a service listed in this subsection
and to return from performing that service. If the service
provided is the execution of a writ and the writ is directed
to two or more persons or the officer executes more than
one writ in a case, the defendant is required to pay only
mileage actually and necessarily traveled. In calculating
mileage, the officer must use the railroad or the most
practical route by private conveyance. The defendant
shall also pay all necessary and reasonable expenses for
meals and lodging incurred by the officer in the
performance of services under this subsection, to the
extent such expenses meet the requirements of Section
611.001, Government Code. This
subsection applies to:
(1) conveying a prisoner after conviction to the
county jail;
(2) conveying a prisoner arrested on a warrant or
capias issued in another county to the court or
jail of the county; and
13
(3) traveling to execute criminal process, to
summon or attach a witness, and to execute
process not otherwise described by this
article.”
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)-(b).
Here, no bond was issued,6 no witnesses were summoned, no jury trial was
held, this is not a habeas case, and Appellant was not arrested pursuant to a
warrant. (I C.R. at 1-67) (III R.R. at 1-13) (IV R.R. at 1-11). Thus, Texas Code
Criminal Procedure Article 102.011(a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(7), (a)(8) do not apply.
Instead, only Subsections (a)(1) (arrest without a warrant), (a)(4) (serving writ not
otherwise listed in the article), (a)(6) (commitment or release), and (b)(1) (mileage
for certain activities) could apply.
However, the clerk declined to assess the $35 fee “for serving a writ 7 not
otherwise listed in this article”, Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)(4), and this
Court should not do so here because court costs need not be incorporated into the
judgment to be effective, the record does not reflect what court costs Appellant
may have paid since the bill of costs was issued, and after a defendant makes a
6
Although there is an Order Setting Bond in the record, (I C.R. at 14), as discussed above in
footnote 4 and on page 8 of the brief, Appellant was never released. Therefore, the Order Setting
Bond is conditional, and it is as if no bond issued. Still, should the Court disagree, and
additional ten dollars would be authorized. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)(5).
7
Here, the “Precept to Serve Copy of Indictment”. (I C.R. at 12); Tex. Crim. Proc. Code art.
25.01 (“In every case of felony, when the accused is in custody, or as soon as he may be arrested,
the clerk of the court where an indictment has been presented shall immediately make a certified
copy of the same, and deliver such copy to the sheriff, together with a writ directed to such
sheriff, commanding him forthwith to deliver such certified copy to the accused.”)
14
payment no additional costs may be imposed unless a motion is presented to the
court that additional costs are due. See Houston v. State, 410 S.W.3d 475, 480 and
n. 6 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013, no pet.) (“Regarding the State’s suggestion that
we modify the written judgment ‘to the extent it is necessary’ to reflect the
increased court costs reflected in the bill of costs, we do not find it necessary; court
costs need not be incorporated into the judgment to be effective…[at note 6:]
Moreover, after a defendant has paid court costs, no further costs may be charged
against that defendant unless a motion is presented to the court that additional costs
are due. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 103.007 (West 2006). Because the
record before us does not reflect whether Houston has or has not paid court costs,
we decline to impose additional costs on him in what could be contravention of
article 103.007’s requirements.”); Hubbard v. State, 02-13-00300-CR, 2014 WL
1767475, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 1, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op., not
designated for publication) (declining to “modify the court costs in the judgment or
the order to withdraw to reflect the overall increase set out in the bill of costs
because court costs need not be incorporated into the judgment to be effective and
because the record does not reflect what Hubbard may have paid since the issuance
of the bill of costs on August 26, 2013.”); Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 103.007.8
8
The bill of costs reflects no payments made, and the judgment orders Appellant to pay court
costs after his release. (I C.R. at 31-32; 37). However, this does not prohibit Appellant from
voluntarily paying costs now.
15
Accordingly, the question is what amount of costs should the judgment reflect to
cover Subsections (a)(1), (a)(6), and (b)(1).
2. Applying the statute to reflect the proper amount of costs
A. Subsection (a)(1)
As Appellant was arrested without a warrant, a fee of $5 pursuant to Article
102.011(a)(1) is statutorily authorized. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)(1)
(requiring a defendant to pay $5 when a peace officer “mak[es] an arrest without a
warrant”); (I C.R. at 7; 13 (arrest warrant issued on December 18, 2015); 25 (jail
time credit from December 17, 2015, the day of the offense, to sentencing)); Tex.
Crim. Proc. Code art. 14.01 (allowing for arrests without a warrant for offenses
committed in an officer’s presence or within his view).
B. Subsection (a)(6)
Subsection (a)(6) requires a defendant to pay $5 for a peace officer’s
services performed “for commitment or release”. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art.
102.011(a)(6). Subsection (a)(6) should apply only to a commitment or release
occurring before conviction, because only those fees are authorized that are for
services performed “in the case”. Op. Tex. Att’y Gen. No. GA-1063, at *5 (2014)
(“Furthermore, your office does not construe the statute to authorize a fee for
release if the defendant is not released from jail prior to trial, nor does your office
believe that a fee should be assessed for committing the defendant to jail after the
16
conclusion of the case. Id. The express language of article 102.011(a) authorizes
fees for services ‘performed in the case.’ Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art.
102.011(a) (West Supp. 2013) (emphasis added). A court could therefore conclude
that any commitment or release from jail after the conclusion of the case will not
be a service performed ‘in’ the case and that article 102.011(a)(6) does not
authorize fees for those services.”) (emphasis in original) (Appendix, Tab 2);9 Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a).10 Therefore, since Appellant was committed to
jail before trial, but not released on bail, a fee of $5 is authorized under Article
102.011(a)(6). (I C.R. at 7-9; 25; 31).
C. Subsection (b)(1)
Subsection (b) requires a defendant to pay “29 cents per mile for mileage
required to perform a service listed in this subsection and to return from
performing that service.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(b). Three such
“services” are listed in (b)(1)-(3), but only (b)(1) could apply. This is because
Appellant was not arrested pursuant to a warrant, much less one issued in another
9
But see Williams v. State, 01-15-00871-CR, 2016 WL 4150904, at * n. 7 (Tex. App.—Houston
[1st Dist.] Aug. 4, 2016, pet. filed) (published) (declining to follow the Attorney General’s
opinion because “Attorney General's opinions, although persuasive authority, are not binding on
the courts of this state.”).
10
Compare the definition of “capias” found here, Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 23.01, where
“commitment” clearly means pre-trial commitment (“after commitment or bail and before trial”).
The Attorney General’s reasoning, however, does not depend on this Article, but rather on the
statutory language in Article 102.011 that restricts the statute’s scope to “services performed in
the case”. Op. Tex. Att’y Gen. No. GA-1063, at *5 (2014) (Appendix, Tab 2).
17
county, so (b)(2) cannot apply, and criminal process was not executed nor a
witness attached nor process executed (regarding this last, “that was not otherwise
described by Article 102.011”), so (b)(3) cannot apply. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art.
102.011(b)(2)-(b)(3).
Subsection(b)(1) authorizes charging a defendant for mileage incurred by an
officer for “conveying a prisoner after conviction to the county jail.” Tex. Code
Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(b)(1). Although not in the record, this Court may take
judicial notice for the first time on appeal of facts that are “easily ascertainable and
capable of verifiable certainty,” and geographical facts are such facts. In re
P.M.G., 405 S.W.3d 406, 413 at n. 7 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, no pet.) (taking
judicial notice of the distance between Texarkana and Denton and noting that,
although such distance was not in the record, the appellate court could take judicial
notice of certain geographical facts because they are “easily ascertainable and
capable of verifiable certainty.”); Tex. R. Evid. 201(b)(2); but see Hendee v.
Dewhurst, 228 S.W.3d 354, 377 (Tex. App.—Austin 2007, pet. denied) (appellate
court taking judicial notice is generally discretionary and appellate courts are
generally reluctant to do so when such evidence has not been presented to the trial
court). Therefore, this Court can take judicial notice of the locations of the Bell
County jails and their distances from the Bell County Courthouse. In re P.M.G.,
405 S.W.3d at 413, n. 7; Tex. R. Evid. 201(b)(2).
18
The 264th District Court hears cases at the Bell County Justice Center
located at 1201 Huey Road, Belton, Texas 76513.11 Bell County has two jails, the
“Central” jail and the “Loop” jail.12 The Loop jail is located within walking
distance of the Bell County Justice Center,13 while the Central jail is located three
miles from the Bell County Justice Center in downtown Belton.14 While the record
does not reflect whether Appellant was conveyed next door or downtown,15 at best
the statute requires him to pay for mileage three miles to the Central jail. Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(b). Accordingly, $.87 for mileage is (arguably)
11
www.bellcountytx.com/county_government/district_courts/264th_district_court/index.php
(accessed October 6, 2016).
12
http://www.bellcountytx.com/county_government/sheriff/ (accessed October 6, 2016).
13
http://www.bellcountytx.com/county_government/sheriff/ (accessed October 6, 2016).
Actually, the address at this link is a bit off; the jail is located within the Bell County Justice
Complex itself and is within walking distance.
14
This can be verified using Google Maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/111+W+Central+Ave,+Belton,+TX+76513/1201+Huey+Rd,+
Belton,+TX+76513/@31.0506583,-
97.4851951,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x864540723c580c5d:0xa904b257a5
abdeef!2m2!1d-
97.4646374!2d31.0561957!1m5!1m1!1s0x864540723a328dd3:0xee545a44aadbe040!2m2!1d-
97.4870788!2d31.038689 (accessed October 6, 2016).
15
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 103.009 requires sheriffs, among others, to keep certain fee records
related to charges for services rendered in each criminal proceeding. This fee record would no
doubt be helpful in determining the proper amount of court costs attributable to the sheriff’s fee,
but this record is not required to be part of the appellate record. Penright v. State, 01-12-00647-
CR, 2015 WL 5770006, at *6 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Sept. 29, 2015, no pet.)
(published) (“the record need not contain a Sheriff’s fee record.”). Arguably the record could be
supplemented under Rule 34.5(c)(1), but then, Appellant is not aware of sheriff’s fee records
being in the clerk’s file in appeals in general. Tex. R. App. P. 34.5(c)(1) (“[i]f a relevant item
has been omitted from the clerk’s record, the trial court, the appellate court, or any party may by
letter direct the trial court clerk to prepare, certify, and file in the appellate court a supplement
containing the omitted item.”).
19
statutorily authorized. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(b)(1) (29 cents per mile
at 3 miles).
3. Addressing Love v. State
This Court has recently rejected Appellant’s same arguments, albeit in an
unpublished opinion. Love v. State, 03-15-00462-CR, 2016 WL 1183676 (Tex.
App.—Austin Mar. 22, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
The essence of the Court’s decision is that because Article 102.011 authorizes a
range of fees, and $25 falls within that range, that amount is permissible: “In light
of the fact that the provision authorizes fees for law-enforcement personnel and
allows for the imposition of more than one fee and given that the fees at issue in
this case generally fall within the range of permissible fees outlined in that
provision, we cannot conclude that the district court erred by imposing the sheriff’s
fee.” Id. at 2.16
The problem with the Court’s reasoning is that Article 102.011 does not
authorize a trial court to assess a fee in an amount that is impossible, based on the
16
Though reserving judgment on the issue, the Court did at least seem to agree that Article
102.001 no longer applies to any defendant. See Love v. State, 03-15-00462-CR, 2016 WL
1183676, at * n. 1 (Tex. App.—Austin Mar. 22, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
publication) (“In his brief, Love contends that another provision authorizing the imposition of
fees for services provided by law-enforcement officers does not apply to this case and asserts
that due to various amendments made to that provision, the provision might not apply to anyone
anymore. See Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.001. Given our resolution of this issue on appeal,
we need not address these arguments. However, we do note that the deletion of various
subarticles of the statute have rendered the viability of the remaining portions questionable
because the remaining portions refer to and in some cases rely on the deleted subarticles.”) See
page 11 of this brief, supra.
20
record, merely because multiple fees in differing amounts are otherwise
authorized. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011. Instead, where (1) no
combination of the permissible fees adds up, based on the record, to the amount
assessed, the statute will not authorize that amount because (2) the statute does not
authorize the trial court to assess any amount (or even any fee) within the range,
but rather only those that are (3) supported by the record because (4) the fee is for a
service actually performed by the peace officer, Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art.
103.002 (“An officer may not impose a cost for a service not performed or for a
service for which a cost is not expressly provided by law”), and is listed in the
statute. Thus, a fee under Article 102.011 will only have a statutory basis where
(1) the service is listed in the statute, and (2) the record shows that the fee is further
authorized because it is for a service actually performed by the officer. Id.
Despite the wide range of fees available under Article 102.011, which fees
are assessable against a particular defendant depends on whether certain facts
obtain or not. For example, a sheriff’s fee imposed for summoning a witness
where no witness was summoned, would lack a basis in the record although there
is otherwise a statutory basis for it. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)(3)
(authorizing “$5 for summoning a witness”).17 In this case, on this record, there is
17
Note that subsection (7) authorizes “$5 for summoning a jury, if a jury is summoned”, whereas
subsection (3) does not contain this limiting clause. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)(7).
Obviously, though, any fee assessed under the Sheriff’s Fee statute can only be assessed if the
21
no combination of the available fees that adds up to $25. See Pages 11-20, supra.
Hence, that Article 102.011 authorizes a range of fees, and that $25 falls within
that range, see Love, 2016 WL 1183676 at * 2, is not only immaterial but incorrect:
only “statutorily authorized court costs may be assessed against a criminal
defendant”, Johnson v. State, 423 S.W.3d 385, 389 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014), and a
fee under Article 102.011 is statutorily authorized if, and only if, the underlying
facts in the record obtain to support the imposition of a fee under a particular
subsection of the statute. Cf. Wright v. State, 03-14-00468-CR, 2015 WL
4609743, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin July 28, 2015, no pet.) (mem. op., not
designated for publication) (after deleting improperly ordered restitution from the
judgment, deleted associated restitution fee as well because there was no longer a
basis for the fee). This is simply another way of saying that a peace officer, like a
lawyer, cannot charge a fee for a service not actually performed. Tex. Code Crim.
Proc. art. 103.002. This is because the statute does not say that a trial court is
authorized to impose a fee “anywhere between X and Y for the following services
performed by a peace officer [or, “so long as a service is performed by the peace
officer”]”. But under the reasoning of Love, the trial court would be authorized to
impose a sheriff’s fee of $50, even if the record showed no execution “or
service is actually performed, see Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 103.002 (“An officer may not
impose a cost for a service not performed or for a service for which a cost is not expressly
provided by law”), so the lack of a limiting clause is immaterial.
22
processing [of] an issued arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine with the fee
imposed for the services of”, Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011(a)(2) (authorizing
$50 for performing such a service), and even if the record only otherwise showed
an arrest without a warrant (authorizing $5 under subsection (a)(1)) and one post-
conviction commitment (authorizing $5 under subsection (a)(6))—in which event
only $10 would be statutorily-authorized. $50, after all, would fall within the
range of fees permissible by the statute, and the statute authorizes more than one
fee. See Love, 2016 WL 1183676 at * 2. But this would be absurd. The trial court
is authorized to impose a particular fee only when a particular service is
performed, see Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.011 and Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art.
103.002 (“An officer may not impose a cost for a service not performed or for a
service for which a cost is not expressly provided by law”): anything more is
unauthorized, Johnson, 423 S.W.3d at 389, even if the statute broadly authorizes
the fee. Love was wrongly decided.18
Conclusion
The judgment assesses too much for the sheriff’s fee, and thus the amount of
court costs should be reduced accordingly.
18
Although the overcharged amount at issue in Love and the present case is minimal, the correct
understanding of Article 102.011 is important to future defendants and the jurisprudence of this
Court’s district. And, if Appellant is incorrect and $25 is authorized for the sheriff’s fee on this
record, he and future defendants deserve to know why.
23
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
ISSUE TWO: The judgment does not correctly specify the statute for the
offense, and should be reformed accordingly.
This Court has the authority to correct error in a judgment when brought to
the Court’s attention by any source. Here, the judgment lists the statute for the
offense as “38.04 Penal Code” only, but this is incomplete, and therefore incorrect.
Thus, this Court should reform the judgment accordingly.
ARGUMENT
Law and Application
The Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure give this Court the authority to
reform judgments when necessary. Tex. R. App. P. 43.2(b); Bigley v. State, 865
S.W.2d 26, 27–28 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) (appellate court has the power to
modify incorrect judgments when the necessary data and information are available
to do so); French v. State, 830 S.W.2d 607, 609 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992);
LaBranche v. State, 03-12-00473-CR, 2014 WL 3411207, at *7 (Tex. App.—
Austin July 11, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“Because
we have jurisdiction over this case, the power to correct errors, and plenary power,
we need not issue a judgment nunc pro tunc. See French, 830 S.W.2d at 609. We
modify the judgment in part as it concerns the judgment that discusses a conviction
on ‘Count Five’ and modify that judgment to provide that appellant was convicted
24
of ‘Count Three’ instead.”); Rhoten v. State, 299 S.W.3d 349, 356 (Tex. App.—
Texarkana 2009, no pet.). It is necessary to reform an incorrect judgment “to make
the record speak the truth”. French, 830 S.W.2d at 609. The Court’s “authority to
reform incorrect judgments is not dependent on the request of any party, nor does it
turn on a question of whether a party has or has not objected in trial court; [the
Court] may act sua sponte and may have a duty to do so.” Dolph v. State, 440
S.W.3d 898, 908 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013, pet. ref’d) (citation omitted).
Here, the judgment lists the statute for the offense merely as “38.04 Penal
Code”. The correct statutes for the offense are Texas Penal Code 38.04(a) (for the
offense itself) and Texas Penal Code 38.04(b)(2)(A) (for the offense level). The
judgments, therefore, are in error and must be reformed. (I C.R. at 31-32); Bigley,
865 S.W.2d at 27–28; French, 830 S.W.2d at 609; Dolph, 440 S.W.3d at 908;
Wright v. State, 03-14-00468-CR, 2015 WL 4609743, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin
July 28, 2015, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (modifying
judgment to reflect correct statute for the offense where the statute in the judgment
was for burglary, but the offense was theft).
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellant asks this Court to
MODIFY the trial court’s judgment to reduce the amount of court costs owed as
25
argued above, to MODIFY the judgment to reflect the correct statutes for the
offense, and to AFFIRM the judgment as modified.
Respectfully submitted:
/s/ Justin Bradford Smith
Justin Bradford Smith
Texas Bar No. 24072348
HARRELL & STOEBNER, P.C.
2106 Bird Creek Drive
Temple, Texas 76502
Phone: (254) 771-1855
FAX: (254) 771-2082
Email: justin@templelawoffice.com
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
I hereby certify that, pursuant to Rule 9 of the Texas Rules of Appellate
Procedure, Appellant’s Brief contains 5,138 words, exclusive of the caption,
identity of parties and counsel, statement regarding oral argument, table of
contents, index of authorities, statement of the case, statement of issues presented,
statement of jurisdiction, statement of procedural history, signature, proof of
service, certification, certificate of compliance, and appendix.
/s/ Justin Bradford Smith
Justin Bradford Smith
26
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that on October 7, 2016, a true and correct copy of
Appellant’s Brief was forwarded to the counsel below by the method indicated
below:
Bob Odom
Bell County District Attorney’s Office
P.O. Box 540
Belton, Texas 76513
VIA ESERVICE AND/OR Email: DistrictAttorney@co.bell.tx.us
/s/ Justin Bradford Smith
Justin Bradford Smith
27
Appendix
28
CAUSE NO. 03-16-00334-CR
IN TFIE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR TFIE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AUSTIN DIVISION
MAJOR THOMAS DAVIS §
§
v. §
§
TFIE STATE OF TEXAS §
APPENDIX INDEX
Tab Documents
1 1989 Tex. Sess. Law Serv. 826
2 Texas Attorney General Opinion
TABl
1989 Tex. Sess. Laws Serv.
826
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-COSTS PAID BY... , 1989 Tex. Sess. Law ...
1989 Tex. Sess. Law Serv. 826 (Vernon's)
Texas Session Laws 1989
General and Special
7lst Legislature, Regular Session
Additions are indicated by<<+ UPPERCASE+>>
Deletions by<<-***->>
CHAPTER826
S.B. No. 356
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-COSTS PAID BY DEFENDANT-FEES FOR SERVICES
AN ACT relating to fees for services provided in criminal cases.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas:
TX CRIM PRO Art. 102.011
SECTION 1. Subsections (a), (e), and (f), Article 102.011, Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A defendant convicted of a misdemeanor <<-in a county with a population of two million or more->> shall pay the
following fees for services performed in the case by a peace officer:
(I)<<+ $5+>> <<- $20->> for <<+ISSUING A WRITTEN NOTICE TO APPEAR IN COURT FOLLOWING
THE DEFENDANT'S VIOLATION OF A TRAFFIC LAW, MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE, OR PENAL LAW OF
THIS STATE,+>> <<-executing an arrest warrant or capias->> or for making an arrest without a warrant;
(2) <<+ $35 FOR EXECUTING OR PROCESSING AN ISSUED ARREST WARRANT OR CAPIAS;+>>
<<+(3)+>> $5 for summoning a witness;
<<+(4) $35+>> <<-(3) $20->> for serving a writ not otherwise listed in this article;
<<+(5)+>> <<-(4)->> $10 for taking and approving a bond and, if necessary, returning the bond to the courthouse;
<<+(6)+>> <<-(5)->> $5 for a commitment or release;
<<+(7)+>> <<-(6)->> $5 for summoning a jury, if a jury is summoned; and
<<+(8)+>> <<-(7)->> $8 for each day's attendance of a prisoner in a habeas corpus case if the prisoner has been
remanded to custody or held to bail.
(e) A fee under Subsection (a)( 1) < < +0 R (A)(2)+ > > of this article shall be assessed on conviction<<+, REGARD LESS
OF WHETHER THE DEFENDANT WAS ALSO ARRESTED AT THE SAME TIME FOR ANOTHER
OFFENSE, AND SHALL BE ASSESSED FOR EACH ARREST MADE OF A DEFENDANT ARISING OUT OF
THE OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE DEFENDANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED+>> <<-of an offense for which the
defendant was arrested. However, only one fee may be assessed for an arrest regardless of the number of offenses for
which the arrest was made. For the purposes of this article, the term "arrest" does not include the issuance by a peace
officer of a written notice to appear in court, following the defendant's alleged violation of a traffic law or municipal
ordinance->>.
(f) The custodian of a municipal or county treasury who receives fees imposed under this article for services performed
by peace officers employed by the state shall forward the fees to the comptroller of public accounts<<+ BY+>> <<-on-
>> the last day of <<+THE MONTH FOLLOWING+>> each calendar quarter after deducting <<+FOUR-FIFTHS
OF THE AMOUNT+>><<- $10->> of each fee received for a service performed under Subsection (a)(1) <<+OR (A)
(2)+>> of this article<<+, IN A MANNER DIRECTED BY THE COMPTROLLER. THE MUNICIPALITY OR
COUNTY MAY RETAIN ALL INTEREST EARNED ON THOSE FUNDS+>>.
TX CRIM PRO Art. 102.001 Repealed
© 2016 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE-COSTS PAID BY... , 1989 Tex. Sess. Law••.
SECTION 2. Article 102.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, is repealed.
TX CRIM PRO§ 102.001 Note
SECTION 3. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies only to fees for an offense committed on or after the
effective date of this Act. For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before the effective date of this Act if any
element of the offense occurs before the effective date.
(b) An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was
committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 1989.
SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
emergency and an imperative public necessity that the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days
in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
Passed the Senate on May 4, 1989, by a viva-voce vote; May 27, 1989, Senate refused to concur in House amendments
and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 29, 1989, House granted request of the Senate; May
29, 1989, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by a viva-voce vote; passed the House, with amendments,
on May 26, 1989, by a non-record vote; May 29, 1989, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of
Conference Committee; May 29, 1989, House adopted Conference Committee Report by a non-record vote.
Approved June 14, 1989.
Effective Sept. 1, 1989.
TXLEGIS 826
End of Document {J 20l6 Thoms()n Reuters. No claim w original U.S. Government Works.
@ 20i 6 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2
TAB2
Texas Attorney General
Opinion
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS
GREG ABBOTT
June 3, 2014
Mr. David Slayton Opinion No. GA-1063
Administrative Director
Office of Court Administration Re: Assessment and distribution of criminal
205 West 14th Street, Suite 600 courtcosts (RQ-1171-GA)
Austin, Texas 78711-2066
Dear Mr. Slayton:
You ask ten questions concerning the assessment and distribution of c1iminal court costs
in various circumstances. 1 Some of your questions are general in nature, asking about the
imposition of "court costs" and "fees" without reference to any specific statute. At the outset, we
note that the Legislature has enacted statutes imposing court costs and fees throughout various
codes, and the language in each statute is unique, making it impossible in many instances to
make blarlket statements about the assessment and distribution of court costs and fees. See, e.g.,
TEX. TRANSP. CODE ANN. § 542.403(a) (West 2011) (imposing a $3 court cost on any person
convicted of certain misdemeanors, regardless of the court of conviction); TEx. CODE CRIM.
PROC. ANN. art. 102.014(c) (West Supp. 2011) (imposing a $25 court cost on a person convicted
of specific offenses if the offenses occur in a school crossing zone, but authorizing assessment of
the cost "only in a municipality"). Thus, we cannot provide definitive answers to all of your
questions asked but will provide guidance to the extent possible.
Yom first three questions address instances when a defendant is convicted in a municipal
court of record and appeals to a county-level court, which affim1s the judgment of the municipal
court of record. Request Letter at 2-3; see also TEX. Gov'T CODE ANN. § 30.00014(a) (West
Supp. 2013) (granting county courts "jurisdiction of appeals from a municipal court of record");
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 45.042(a) (West 2006) ("Appeals from a ... municipal court
... shall be heard by the county court[.]"). You first ask whether the defendant will owe only
the court costs assessed at the municipal court level, or whether the defendant will also incur
"additional costs that are assessed for convictions in county-level courts such as the $40 court
cost assessed for the services of the county clerk under article 102.005 ofthe Code of Criminal
1
See Letter from David Slayton, Admin. Dir., Office of Court Admin., to Honorable Greg Abbott, Tex.
Att'y Gen. at 1-7 (Dec. 5, 20 13), http://www.texasattomeygeneral.gov/opin ("Request Letter").
Mr. David Slayton - Page 2 (GA-1063)
Procedure." Request Letter at 2. The fees imposed under article 102.005 apply to a "defendant
convicted of an offense in a county court." TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 102.005(a) (West
2006) (emphasis added). A county-level court that affinns the judgment of a municipal court of
record is not itself "convicting" a defendant but is instead affinuing the conviction adjudged by
the municipal court of record. 2 Thus~ a defendant seeking appellate review at the county-cowi
level of a conviction from a municipal court of record would not be subject to the fees imposed
under article 102.005 or any other court costs or fees that are imposed only against a defendant
convicted in a county court.3
With regard to this same scenario, you also ask whether "any part of the court costs
collected from the defendant [is] directed to the county," and which entity, the city or county,
would be responsible "for collecting the court costs and directing the court costs intended for the
State to the Comptroller." Request Letter at 3. Your questions do not reference any specific
court cost. Determining to which entity each court cost or fee shall be directed, and which entity
is responsible for collecting those costs intended for the Comptroller, will require analyzing the
specific language of the statute imposing the particular cost or fee. See, e.g., TEX. Loc. Gov'T
CODE ANN. §§ 133.107 (West Supp. 2013) (imposing on most convicted defendants a $2 court
cost, most of which is remitted to the Comptroller, to fund indigent defense representation);
.058(a) (allowing the municipality or county collecting certain fees to retain up to ten percent for
collection services). We cannot provide broad answers that will apply in all circumstances.
Your next three questions are similar to the first three but involve a municipal court that
is not a court of record. See Request Letter at 3-4. "In all appeals to a county court from ...
municipal courts other than municipal courts of record, the trial shall be de novo in the trial in
the county court~ the same as if the prosecution had been originally commenced in that court."
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 44.17 (West 2006). Thus, unlike an appeal from a municipal
court of record, a defendant appealing a conviction from a mtmicipal court that is not a court of
record may be convicted at the county court level following a trial de novo. See Schinzing v.
State, 234 S.W.3d 208, 209 (Tex. App.-Waco 2007, no pet.) (explaining that a defendant
convicted in a municipal court who appealed to a statutory county court "was again convicted
following a trial de novo"). With regard to this scenario, you ask whether a defendant convicted
2
Subsection 30.00014(b) of the Government Code provides that a county court "shall detennine each
appeal from a municipal court of record conviction ... on the basis of the errors that are set forth in the appellant's
motion for new trial and that are presented in the clerk's record and the reporter's record prepared from the
proceedings leading to the conviction or appeal." TEX. Gov'T CODE ANN. § 30.00014(b) (West Supp. 2013). "An
appeal from the municipal court of record may not be by trial de novo." Id.
3
You do not ask, and we do not address, whether and to what extent the defendant may incur separate
appellate costs and fees when seeking review at the county-court level. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
44.281 (West 2006) ("In misdemeanor cases affinned on appeal from a municipal court, ... the costs imposed on
appeal shall be collected from defendant ....").
Mr. David Slayton - Page 3 (GA-1063)
in a trial de novo at the county court level would be subject to the county court costs. Request
Letter at 3. As an example, you note that the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a
defendant convicted in a county court shall pay a county court technology fee under article
102.0169. ld.; see TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 102.0169(a) (West Supp. 2013). Similarly,
if the governing body of a municipality decides to do so, it may require a defendant convicted of
a misdemeanor offense in a municipal court to pay a technology fee under article 102.0172.
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. Al\TN. art. 102.0172(a) (West 2006). In the scenario you describe, the
defendant will initially be convicted in a municipal comt and will be subject to the municipal
technology fee if the municipality imposes one. Request Letter at 3. Upon review in a trial de
novo at the county-level, the defendant will be convicted and will then be subject to the county
technology fee. !d.
Continuing with this same scenario, you also ask whether any part of the court costs
collected at the county level are directed to the city, and which entity, the city or cmmty, is
responsible for collecting the court costs intended for the State. !d. at 3-4. As discussed above,
determining to whom each court cost or fee shall be directed and which entity is responsible for
collecting the court costs intended for the State will require analyzing the specific language of
the statute imposing the patticular cost or fee. You do not ask about any specific statutes or
court costs with regard to these questions, and we cannot provide an answer that will be
applicable in all circumstances.
Your seventh question asks whether a defendant who is "convicted of multiple counts of
an offense in a single criminal action" should be assessed comt costs on each count or only once
per case. ld. at 5. You do not ask about any specific court costs or fees but instead phrase your
question in general terms. As you note, some court costs or fees are assessed upon conviction of
a single offense, while others are assessed against a defendant or for services in a particular case.
!d.; see also TEX. Loc. Gov'T CoDE ANN. § 133.1 OS(a) (West 2008) (imposing a particular fee
for conviction of "any offense"); TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. a1t. 102.004(a) (West 2006)
(imposing a jury fee on a "defendant convicted by a jury"). In answer to your question, certain
court costs and fees may be assessed only once per case, while others may be assessed for each
convicted offense within a case, and a determination about a specific cost or fee will require a
review of the statute or rule imposing that cost.
Your eighth question concems whether a convicted defendant may be given credit toward
outstanding fines and court costs for time spent in jail after the sentence has been imposed.
Request Letter at 6. You explain that if a convicted defendant fails to pay an imposed fine and
court costs, the convicting court may order that the defendant be arrested on a capias pro fine and
be brought before the court, at which time the judge holds a hearing to address the defendant's
nonpayment. !d. at 5-6. If the defendant is not taken immediately before the court, the
defendant will be placed in jail, and you question whether time spent in jail can be credited
against the court costs due. !d. You specifically ask about article 45.041 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, which states in relevant part:
(a) The judgment and sentence, in case of conviction in a
criminal action before a justice of the peace or municipal
Mr. David Slayton - Page 4 (GA-1063)
court judge, shall be that the defendant pay the amount of the
fine and costs to the state.
(c) The justice or judge shall credit the defendant for time served
in jail as provided by Article 42.03.
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 45.041 (West Supp. 2013). Article 42.03 states:
In all criminal cases the judge of the court in which the defendant
is convicted shall give the defendant credit on the defendant's
sentence for the time that the defendant has spent:
(1) in jail for the case ... from the time of his arrest and
confinement until his sentence by the trial court.
Jd art. 42.03, § 2(a)(1) (emphasis added). You suggest that because these statutes only address
credits for time served from the time of arrest until sentencing, they would not apply to the
situation about which you ask, and we agree. Request Letter at 6. The plain language of articles
45.041 and 42.03 of the Code of Criminal Procedure does not authorize a court to give a
defendant credit for time served after the sentence has been imposed. However, other provisions
within the Code of Criminal Procedure authorize certain courts to use a defendant's time served
to satisfy court fines and costs in specific instances. See, e.g., TEX. CODE CRIM. PRoc. ANN. arts.
45.048(a)(2) (West 2006), 43.09(a) (West Supp. 2013). Whether a convicted defendant may be
given credit toward outstanding court costs will require analyzing specific facts against the
relevant statute authorizing the credit.
Your ninth question concerns the imposition of certain costs when multiple warrants
result in a single arrest. Request Letter at 6-7. Article 102.011 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure states in relevant part:
(a) A defendant convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor shall
pay the following fees for services performed in the case by a
peace officer:
(2) $50 for executing or processing an issued arrest
warrant, capias, or capias pro fine, with the fee imposed
for the services of:
(A) the law enforcement agency that executed the
arrest warrant or capias, if the agency requests of
the court, not later than the 15th day after the date
Mr. David Slayton - Page 5 (GA-1063)
of the execution of the arrest warrant or capias,
the imposition of the fee on conviction; or
(B) the law enforcement agency that processed the
arrest wan-ant or capias, if:
(i) the arrest warrant or capias was not
executed; or
(ii) the executing law enforcement agency failed
to request the fee within the period by
Paragraph (A) of this subdivision; .... ·
TEX. CODE CRIM .. PROC. ANN. art. 102.011 (West Supp. 2013). With regard to this provision,
you ask "whether separate $50 fees should be assessed when multiple warrants have been
processed that result in one arrest." Request Letter at 6. The fee described in subsection (a)(2) is
for ~'an issued arrest warrant," indicating that the fee applies to each issued warrant. TEX. CODE
CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 102.011(a)(2) (West Supp. 2013) (emphasis added). Fmihennore,
although you raise the concern "that charging two arrest fees when only one arrest was made
[may be] inappropriate," the fee expressly applies even when a warrant is not executed. Request
Letter at 7; TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 102.011(a)(2)(B)(i) (West Supp. 2013). Thus, if
multiple warrants have been issued, the language of article 102.011 authorizes a court to assess
corresponding fees for each warrant issued.
Your final question asks about a separate fee imposed under article 102.011(a) of the
Code of Criminal Procedure '~for services performed in the case by a peace officer," specifically,
"$5 for commitment or release." TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 102.011(a)(6) (West Supp.
2013); Request Letter at 7. You explain that your office understands this language to mean that
the fee should be assessed for placing a defendant in jail or releasing a defendant from jail prior
to trial. Request Letter at 7. Furthermore, your office does not construe the statute to authorize a
fee for release if the defendant is not released from jail prior to trial, nor does your office believe
that a fee should be assessed for committing the defendant to jail after the conclusion of the case.
!d. The express language of article 102.011(a) authorizes fees for services "performed in the
case." TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 102.011(a) (West Supp. 2013) (emphasis added). A
court could therefore conclude that any commitment or release from jail after the conclusion of
the case will not be a service performed "in" the case and that article 102.0ll(a)(6) does not
authorize fees for those services.
Mr. David Slayton - Page 6 (GA-1063)
SUMMARY
The fee imposed under article 102.005 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure applies to a defendant convicted of an offense
in a county-level court. A defendant whose conviction from a
municipal court of record was affirmed at the county-court level
would not be subject to the fees imposed under article 102.005
because the conviction occurred at the municipal leveL Unlike an
appeal from a municipal court of record, however, a defendant
appealing a conviction from a municipal court that is not a court of
record may be convicted at the county court level following a trial
de novo.
Certain court costs and fees will be assessed for each
convicted offense of a defendant, while others will be assessed
once per case, and a determination about a specific cost or fee will
require a review of the statute or rule imposing that cost.
While articles 42.03 and 45.041 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure authorize a court to give a defendant credit only for time
served from the time of arrest and confinement until sentencing by
the trial court, other provisions authorize certain courts to use a
defendant's time served to satisfy court fines and costs in specific
instances. Whether a convicted defendant may be given credit
toward outstanding court costs will require analyzing specific facts
against the relevant statute authorizing the credit.
Article 102.01l(a)(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure
authorizes a court to assess a separate fee for each arrest warrant
issued even when multiple warrants result in only one arrest.
Article 102.01l(a)(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure
authorizes a $5 fee for commitment or release services performed
in the case by a peace officer. A court could conclude that any
commitment or release from jail after the conclusion of the case
will not be a service performed in the case and that article
102.0ll(a)(6) does not authorize fees for those services.
Mr. David Slayton - Page 7 (GA-1063)
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GREG ABBOTT
Attorney General of Texas
DANIEL T. HODGE
First Assistant Attorney General
JAMES D. BLACKLOCK
Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel
VIRGINIA K. HOELSCHER
Chair, Opinion Committee
Virginia K. Hoelscher
Assistant Attorney General, Opinion Committee