TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-16-00211-CR
Jacob Mediano, Appellant
v.
The State of Texas, Appellee
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TOM GREEN COUNTY, 391ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. D-14-1052-SB, HONORABLE THOMAS J. GOSSETT, JUDGE PRESIDING
ORDER AND MEMORANDUM OPINION
PER CURIAM
In the above cause, appellant Jacob Mediano’s brief was first due on August 24, 2016,
but the deadline was extended to November 16, 2016, after this Court granted retained counsel’s
motion to withdraw.1 Mediano, now proceeding pro se, has filed a motion in this Court requesting
the appointment of counsel to file his brief. The record reflects that, prior to retained counsel’s
1
See Tex. R. App. P. 6.5. In his motion to withdraw, retained counsel—who had been hired
by Mediano’s family—represented that he could find no non-frivolous issues to raise on appeal.
Counsel further represented that he had prepared a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S.
738 (1967), and had sent it to Mediano, but he did not file it with this Court because, according to
at least some intermediate appellate courts in Texas, the requirements of Anders apply only to
appointed counsel. See, e.g., Lopez v. State, 283 S.W.3d 479, 480-81 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009,
no pet.); Knotts v. State, 31 S.W.3d 821, 822 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.)
(per curiam order) Nguyen v. State, 11 S.W.3d 376, 379 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000,
no pet.); but see Clemett v. State, No. 03-00-00341-CR, 2000 Tex. App. LEXIS 8487, at *1
(Tex. App.—Austin Dec. 21, 2000, no pet.) (not designated for publication) (permitting retained
counsel to file Anders brief and reviewing appeal in same manner as if appointed counsel had filed
Anders brief).
representation of Mediano, the district court had appointed counsel to represent Mediano both
at trial and on appeal, after finding that Mediano was indigent.2 The record further reflects that the
district court has made no subsequent finding that Mediano’s financial circumstances have materially
changed.3
In criminal proceedings, an indigent defendant is entitled to have an attorney
appointed to represent him on appeal.4 And it is the district court that must determine whether
Mediano remains indigent.5 Accordingly, under these circumstances, we abate the appeal, remand
the cause to the district court to conduct a hearing in accordance with rule 38.8 of the rules of
appellate procedure, and dismiss as moot Mediano’s motion for appointment of counsel.6 The
district court shall hold a hearing immediately to determine whether appellant still desires to
prosecute this appeal and, if so, whether appellant is indigent.7 If appellant desires to appeal and is
indigent, the district court should make appropriate orders to ensure that appellant is adequately
represented on appeal. See id. Following the hearing, the district court should order the appropriate
2
See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04(a).
3
See id. art. 26.04(p) (“A defendant who is determined by the court to be indigent is
presumed to remain indigent for the remainder of the proceedings in the case unless a material
change in the defendant’s financial circumstances occurs.”).
4
See id. art. 1.051(d)(1).
5
See id. art. 26.04(b)(1).
6
See Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b)(2), (3); see also Logan v. State, 463 S.W.2d 740, 740-41
(Tex. Crim. App. 1971) (abating appeal under similar circumstances where retained counsel
withdrew from representing indigent defendant prior to filing brief).
7
See Tex. R. App. P. 38.8(b)(2), (3).
2
supplementary clerk’s and reporter’s records to be prepared and forwarded to this Court no later than
December 5, 2016.8
It is ordered on November 4, 2016.
Before Justices Puryear, Pemberton, and Field
Abated and Remanded
Filed: November 4, 2016
Do Not Publish
8
See id.
3