WR-84,279-01
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Transmitted 12/2/2015 5:14:20 PM
Accepted 12/3/2015 8:18:55 AM
ABEL ACOSTA
CLERK
No. - RECEIVED
- - -- --- COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
12/3/2015
ABEL ACOSTA, CLERK
IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS, AT
AUSTIN
In re Kevin Richard Joliet
Relator
Application for Writ of Prohibition
Respectfully submitted by,
Wes Ball
Ball & Hase, P.C.
4025 Woodland Park Blvd., Suite 100
Arlington, Texas 76013
Email: WBnotices@ballhase.com
Tel. (817) 860-5000
Fax: (817) 860-6645
State Bar Card No. 01643100
Attorney for Relator
Issue Presented
Whether a trial court may order a person on community superv1s10n
incarcerated and deprived of his liberty solely for failing a polygraph examination.
Is such incarceration a violation of the individual's right to due process and due
course of law as provided in the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United
States Constitution and Article One, Section Nineteen of the Texas Constitution?
Identity of Parties and Counsel
Pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure ("Tex. R. App. Pro.") the
following is a complete list of the names and addresses of all parties to this cause
so the members of the Court may at once determine whether they are disqualified
to serve or should recuse themselves from participating in the decision of the case:
Relator
Kevin Richard Joliet
c/o Wes Ball
Ball & Hase, PC
4025 Woodland Park Blvd., Suite 100
Arlington, Texas 76013
Represented by:
Wes Ball
Ball & Hase, PC
4025 Woodland Park Blvd., Suite 100
Arlington, Texas 76013
Respondents
Honorable Mollee Westfall
Judge, 371 51 District Court
Tarrant County
Tim Curry Justice Center
401 W. Belknap Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76196-0201
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ISSUES PRESENTED ........... ..... .......... ........ .......... ........... .............. ..... ..... .... .......... ... i
IDENTIFY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL .............. .............................................. ii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ............................. .... ............................... .............. .. iv, v
STATEMENT OF FACTS .. .... .......................... ................... .. ................................ ... 1
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES .................... ................................... ..... ............ 3
PRA YER ........ .. ... ... .. .......... ...... ............... .......................... ......... ...... .. ... ....... .. ............ 9
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE AND DELIVERY ................ ........................ 11
EXHIBIT A ................................... ..... ............... ..................... .......... ..... ..... .............. 12
iii
Index of Authorities
Federal Cases:
Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778, 782 (1973) .. .................................. .................... . 5
Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471 (1972) .................... .. ...................................... 5, 6
U.S. v. Scheffer, 118 S.Ct. 1261 (1998) ............................ .. ...................................... 4
Texas Cases:
Curry v. Wilson 853 S.W. 2d 40,43-44 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993) ...................... .. .... . 8
DeGay v. State, 741 S.W.2d 445,449,450 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987) ...................... . 5
Ex Parte Arnone, WR-60,2 18-02 (Tex. Crim. App. October 7, 2015)
(not designated for publication) .... .... .. .... .. ... ............... .. ....... ............... .. ....... ..... ........ 6
Leonard v. State, 385 S.W.3d 570 (Tex. Crim. App . 2012) .. ................................ 2, 6
Romero v. State, 493 S.W.2d 206 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973) .................................. 2, 6
Constitution of the United States:
United States Constitution, Sixth .......................................... .. ........ .... .................... i, 3
United States Constitution, Fourteenth .......................... .................................... i, 3, 6
Constitution of Texas:
Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 19 .................. ................................................ 9
Texas Constitution, Article 5, §5 ............................................................................. 14
Texas Constitution, Article V, §5(c) .............. .. .......................................................... 9
Texas Statutes And Codes:
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42A.1 08(b) ....................................................... .4
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42A.751 (h) ofthe .. ............................................ 4
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 9.4 (i)(3) .... ...... .... .. .... ...... .. .............................. 11
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42.12 Sec. 21 (c) .. ................................. 2
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42.12, Sec. 21 (c) ...... .. .......................... .4
Tex. R. App. Proc, Rule 9.4(i)(1), ..... ........................................ ............................ .. 11
Tex. R. App. Proc, Rules 9.4(i)(2)(B) .................... .......................... .. ..................... 11
Government Code, Section 508.281(e) .................. .......... ........................................ .4
iv
Index of Authorities (cont.)
Other Authorities:
Adelson, R. (2004) .......................... .......... ..... ..... ..... ............................. .................. ... 4
Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences and Education (BCSSE) ... 5
Committee on National Statistics (CNST AT) (2003) .... ....... ............... .......... ........... 5
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) issued a report entitled
"The Polygraph and Lie Detection" .............................. ...... .................................... 5
United States National Research Council
(Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations, page 212) .................................. 5
v
No. --------------------- -
IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS, AT AUSTIN
In re Kevin Richard Joliet
Relator
Application for Writ of Prohibition
TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS:
COMES NOW, Kevin Richard Joliet ("Relator"), by and through his
undersigned attorney, Wes Ball, complaining of the action of the Respondent, the
presiding Judge of the 3 71 st District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, the Honorable
Mollee Westfall, and requests this Honorable Court to issue its writ of prohibition,
directed to Respondent, and in support of such application would respectfully show
the Court as follows:
Statement of Facts
Relator entered a plea of guilty pursuant to a plea bargain agreement on
December 16,2013 to the offense of injury to a child and was placed on five (5)
years deferred adjudication probation. As a condition of probation, the Relator
was ordered to attend and complete a course of sex offender treatment. The
Relator is presently in compliance with all terms of his sex offender treatment.
Undersigned counsel recently obtained probation conditions that were entered
1
while Relator was without counsel and were outside of counsel 's knowledge.
These supplemental probation conditions and amendments added conditions that
Relator show no deception on polygraph tests. These amendments and
supplemental conditions are contrary to the express language of Article 42.12 Sec.
21 (c) Texas Code Crim. Proc. A copy of these amendments including the
unlawful condition are attached as "Exhibit A" to this application. 1 As these
conditions are contrary to law, Relator through his attorney objects to these
conditions.
As part of the sex offender probation conditions Relator has been required to
submit to polygraph examinations and to show no deception. The Re lator has
taken approximately 16 of these examinations. The Relator has consistently failed
the polygraph tests with the exception of one occasion. The failure has been on
two issues. One issue is whether the Relator has viewed pornography. The other
issue is whether the Relator has committed any new sex offenses. Relator denies
having viewed pornography of any kind and has denied committing any new sex
offenses. There is zero evidence from any source to establish that the Relator's
statements of denial are untruthful other than the failed polygraph examinations.
On a recent surprise visit by probation officers, Relator's computer and cellphone
The polygraph condition flies in the face of the operative statutory language and court
opinions, e .g. Leonard v. State, 385 S.W.3d 570 (Tex. Crim. App. 20 12) and Romero v. State,
493 S.W.2d 206 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973).
2
were seized and forensically examined. This search revealed that there was zero
evidence to support any suspicion that Relator had viewed any pornography,
confirming his earlier denials.
Despite the lack of any credible evidence that Relator has violated any
condition of probation, Respondent advised undersigned counsel on November 30,
2015 that she will order Relator to be held in custody to be transmitted to an
Intermediate Sanctions Facility upon bed space being available. Respondent
advised that she will enter this order on December 4, 2015 and Relator will be
taken into custody. Based on this proposed order, Relator will be deprived of his
liberty for a period to exceed ninety days. Relator's employer will terminate his
employment and his home will likely go into foreclosure. Respondent's proposed
order deprives Relator of due process and due course of law provide in the Sixth
and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article 1,
Section 19 of the Texas Constitution.
Argument & Authorities
Jurisdiction:
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has jurisdiction of this Application for
Writ of Prohibition under Article V, §5(c) of the Texas Constitution.
3
Polygraph:
Polygraph evidence, which is the sole basis of Relator's ordered
incarceration is by statute a prohibited basis for finding a probation violation:
Article 42.12, Sec. 2l(c) Texas Code of Criminal Procedure:
The court may not revoke the community supervision of a Relator if,
at the community supervision revocation hearing, the court finds
that the only evidence supporting the alleged violation of a condition
of community supervision is the uncorroborated results of a
polygraph examination.
See also 42A.l08(b) and 42A.75l(h) of the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure and Section 508.28l(e) Government Code relating to parole. The use of
polygraph evidence as a basis for legal decisions has been met with almost
universal disfavor.
Polygraph evidence has met with disfavor largely on the basis of research on
its validity. This research reports that polygraph results may be only slightly better
than chance. Doubts about polygraph tests grew in the scientific community until
the National Research Council - an organization of scientists - conducted a
systematic evaluation and concluded that the test is lacking in scientific validity?
In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court acted to restrict their use in legal proceedings. 3
2
Adelson, R. (2004). The polygraph m doubt. APA Monitor, 35, 71.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/ julaug04/polygraph.aspx
3
U.S. v. Scheffer, 118 S.Ct. 1261 (1998) .
4
In particular, defense attorneys can no longer use evidence that their client passed a
polygraph test as establishing innocence of a crime. In 2003, the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS) issued a report entitled "The Polygraph and Lie
Detection". The NAS found that the majority of polygraph research was
"unreliable, unscientific and biased", concluding that 57 of the approximately 80
research studies that the American Polygraph Association relies on to come to their
conclusions were significantly flawed. These studies did show that specific-
incident polygraph testing, in a person untrained in counter-measures, could
discern the truth at "a level greater than chance, yet short of perfection". However,
due to several flaws, the levels of accuracy shown in these studies "are almost
certainly higher than actual polygraph accuracy of specific-incident testing in the
field" .4 It is based on this dubious and discredited "junk" science that Respondent
proposes to deprive Relator of his liberty in violation of his right to due process
and due course of law.
A probationer is entitled to due process. Morrissey v. Brewer, 408 U.S. 471
(1972) see also Gagnon v. Scarpelli, 411 U.S. 778, 782 (1973) and DeGay v.
State, 741 S.W.2d 445, 449, 450 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987). Relator asserts that any
sanction imposed solely because of failing a polygraph examination denies that
4
Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences and Education (BCSSE) and
Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) (2003). "The Polygraph and Lie Detection". United
States National Research Council (Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations, page 212)
5
person due process in violation of both Morrissey v. Brewer, and the Fourteenth
Amendment of the United States Constitution. If Respondent follows through on
her plan to incarcerate Relator and send him to an Intermediate Sanction Facility,
Relator's rights to due process will be violated because he will be deprived of his
valuable liberty interest solely for failing to pass an exam that the legislature in the
probation statute has declared unreliable.
In Leonard v. State, 385 S.W.3d 570 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) 5 this Court
held that use of failed polygraph evidence to discharge a probationer from
treatment and thus cause him to be in violation of probation is not permitted. This
Court declared that polygraph evidence is unreliable. 6 Id. at 577. This position of
unreliability was affirmed recently in a slip opinion Ex Parte Arnone, WR-60,218-
02 (Tex. Crim. App. October 7, 2015) (not designated for publication). The
scientific unreliability of polygraphs was discussed at length in Romero v. State,
493 S.W.2d 206 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973), noting particularly that sources of error
are not within the test subject's control. Id. at 210-211.
It is worthy of note that Respondent was the presiding Judge in the Leonard case where
polygraph evidence was the basis for imprisonment of the Relator. Respondent in that case
expressed great concern should polygraph evidence not be permitted to incarcerate probationers.
Leonard at 574.
6
"The history of this Com1's dealings with polygraph evidence is long but not very
complicated. For more than sixty years, we have not once wavered from the proposition that the
results of polygraph examinations are inadmissible over proper objection because the tests are
unreliable." Leonard at 577.
6
Intermediate Sanction Facilities:
Respondent's proposed incarceration order is to impose a sanction. The fact
that this sanction of deprivation of liberty is not revocation of probation is a
distinction with little meaning to Relator. The loss of liberty, albeit perhaps more
brief in duration than imprisonment is nonetheless a sanction for failing an
unreliable test. The available official government literature concerning the
proposed order to incarceration at an Intermediate Sanction Facility confirms that
the incarceration is a sanction for those in violation of their probation conditions.
The name of the facility notes its purpose which is as a "sanction." The
official literature describing Texas' Intermediate Sanction Facilities shows that the
use of this sanction is not appropriate for Relator. According to State Contracted
Intermediate Sanction Facility Policy and Procedure Eff. June 5, 2009. "!SF's
provide an intermediate sanction to revocation that removes the offender from the
community. These intermediate sanctions address community supervision
violations as well as sanction criminal conduct that can best be addressed by
custody that offers cognitive or substance abuse treatment .. . to give the courts an
incarceration option other than revocation." The target population does not include
7
someone in Relator's circumstances as he is not in violation 7 of his conditions of
supervision and he does not have a history of absconding or treatment
nonparticipation. (p. 3 of 16). The offender must be assessed as high-risk and
medium or high-needs on the Wisconsin risk assessment or other validated
assessment of risk and need. 8 (p. 4 of 16).
According to Texas Intermediate Sanctions Bench Manual "Intermediate
Sanction Facilities (ISFs) are shorter-term detention facilities that target offenders
who violate their community supervision. An ISF is an option to revoking an
offender's supervision and sending him or her to prison. ISF services include
education, cognitive restructuring skills, life skills training, and community service
restitution."
In these circumstances, Relator has no other adequate remedy at law other
than relief obtained in this writ of prohibition. Respondent's proposed deprivation
of Relator's liberty interest based on prohibited polygraph evidence demonstrates
that Relator has a clear right to the relief sought. Curry v. Wilson 853 S.W. 2d 40,
43-44 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
8
Relator has been determined by his sex offender treatment providers to be low risk.
8
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, RELATOR prays that this
Honorable Court grant his Application and issue and order conditionally granting
his writ of prohibition and for such other and further relief to which he may be
entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Wes Ball
WES BALL
4025 Woodland Park Blvd.
Suite 100
Arlington, Texas 76013
Email : WBnotices@ballhase .com
Telephone: (817)860-5000
Fax No.: (817)860-6645
State Bar No. 01643100
ATTORNEY FOR RELATOR
9
OATH BEFORE A NOTARY PUBLIC 9
STATE OF TEXAS §
§
COUNTY OF TARRANT §
Wes Ball, being duly sworn, under oath says: "I am the attorney for Relator
Kevin Richard Joliet and thus the Petitioner in this action. I know the contents of
the application for writ of prohibition and according to me belief, the facts as stated
in the application are true."
Is! Wes Ball
Signature ofPetitioner
Subscribed and Sworn to Before Me this 2nd day of December, 2015.
..
,,, ,,,
Is/ Malinda Davis
l~\ MALiti>AA.OAVlS Signature of Notary Public
i~,J"\,.1"1 MY COMMISSION EXPIRES
..... ·~"
·-..,i;.
''1,/ifn~\{''.
December22' 2018
9
"The court shall have the power upon affidavit or otherwise to ascertain such matters of
fact as may be necessary to the exercise of its jurisdiction." Article 5, §5 Texas Constitution
10
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE AND DELIVERY
This is to certify that: (1) this document, created using Microsoft Word
software contains 1165 words, excluding those items permitted by Rule 9 .4(i)(l ),
Tex. R. App. Proc. , and complies with Rules 9.4(i)(2)(B) and 9.4 (i)(3), Tex. R.
App. Proc.; and on December 2, 2015, a true and correct copy of the above and
foregoing "Application for Writ of Prohibition" was transmitted to the Honorable
Mollee Westfall and the Honorable Charles Reynolds, counsel for the Judicial
Staff Counsel in Tarrant County, Texas.
/s/ Wes Ball
WES BALL
Attorney for Appellant
11
Exhibit ''A''
12
CIO # 0820524
NO. 1306409
THE STATE OF TEXAS )( IN THE 371 st DISTRICT
vs. )( COURT OF
KEVIN RICHARD JOLIET )( TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS
SUPPLEMENT I AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONS OF COMMUNITY SUPERVISION
Participate in and successfully complete the program(s) and/or condition(s) indicated below, pay all fees required, and
continue to participate and/or comply until released by the court:
1. Complete all requirements of a sex offender treatment evaluation within sixty days as directed by the supervision officer.
Attend and participate fully in and successfully complete psychological counseling, treatment, and aftercare sessions for
sex offenders with an individual or organization as specified by or approved by the Court or the supervision officer.
Pay all costs of evaluation, counseling, treatment and aftercare. Treatment must be completed within three years of its
initiation, with at least one-third of treatment completed each year.
The Defendant is to re-start treatment & evaluations with Michael Strain and Associates.
2. Within 30 days submit to, pay all costs for, and show no deception on a maintenance polygraph retest.
Date
FILED
THOMAS A WILDEt\J),JST CLERK
TARRANT COU1'l1 r, TEXAS
JUL 0 6 2015
TIME oQ \l)·.f)l
BY_--c~~--- DEPUTY
371 st Sex Offender Conditions Page 1 of 1
CID # 0820524
NO. 1306409
THE STATE OF TEXA~~·~ IN THE 371 st DISTRICT
VS, I . )(
COURT OF
Kevin Joliet
NAR 17 201~
nME /~ ; 1/J . )(
TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS
IV. >tfii= fJefiiff~l
SUPPLEMENT I AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONS OF COMMUNITY SUPERVISION
Participate In and successfully complete the program(s) and/or condition(s) indicated below, pay all fees required, and
continue•to participate and/or comply until released by the court:
1. Assume responsibility for your offense.
..
2. ~om ply with se* offender registration prooodures afreq~ire4-by the laws of this State a~ato and pay
any costs thereof as required by law.
3. Complete all req uirements of a sex offender treatment evaluation within sixty days as directed by the supervision officer.
Attend and participate fully in and successfully COf'Dplete psychological counseling, treatment, and aftercare sessions for
sex offenders with an individual or organization as specified by or approved by the Court or the supervision officer.
Pay all costs of evaluation, counseling, treatment and aftercare. Treatment must be completed within three years of its
initiation, with at least one-third of treatment completed each year.
4. Remain within and maintain permanent residency within Tarrant County unless the court or supervision officer
authorizes you to leave or relocate.
5. Do not engage in any lewd or lascivious act in public view that is likely to alarm or offend another individual.
6. Submit to, pay all costs for, and show no deception on any polygraph examination and other diagnostic test(s) or
evaluation(s) as directed by the Court or supervision officer.
7. Pay the costs of any medical, psychological or other evaluation, counseling, and treatment incurred by the victim(s) with
prior approval of the Court.
8. Do not contact _ _ in any manner including, but not limited to: in writing; in person; by phone; passing by his/her
residence, school, area of recreation, place of employment; or through third parties.
9. Do not go on the premises of or patronize any sexually oriented establishments.
Do not exchange goods or money for sexual activity.
10. Do not possess. own, distribute, purchase, or view any book, publication, or image in any form that depicts nudity of
adults or children, including images which display uncovered breasts, buttocks, or genitals.
11. Do not possess, own, distribute, purchase, or view any book, publication, or image in any form which depicts or displays
simulated sexual acts.
12. Do not purchase, possess, access, or view sexually explicit visual or audio material on any medium. Install and
activate, at your own cos~ software capable of blocking access to sexually explicit material on any personal computer in
your residence. Permit access by the supervision officer, at any time, to any personal computer in your residence to
monitor compliance with the above.
13. Do not possess, own , or operate any computer, at any location, that has access to the internet without first installing
RemoteCom monitoring software. Fully participate in and comply with the rules and requirements of RemoteCom
monitoring services, pay all fees required and continue to comply until released by the Court.
14. Do not possess, own, or operate any computer that has installed wiping software or encryption software capable of
preventing forensic software from accessing viewed images, text, or files that may reside on any computer medium.
371st Sex Offender Conditions Page 1 of 2
CID # 0820524
NO. 1306409
15. O>o not access, view, or create any internet chat room, message board, blog, or any social networking website, including
but not limited to lnstagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook.
16. Inform your supervision officer of any email address, social networking identity, and any other internet identity
you have used in the last two years, as well as any that you acquire while on community supervision.
17. [!)o not purchase, possess, access, own, or operate any gaming system capable of internet access, including but not
limited to Xbox, Xbox360, PlayStation 3, or Nintendo Wii.
18. Oo not purchase, possess, access, own, or operate a cell phone that is capable of internet access without first
installing RemoteCom monitoring software. Fully participate in and comply with the rules and requirements of
IRemoteCom monitoring services, pay all fees required and continue to comply until released by the Court. Permit
~ccess by the supervision officer at any time to any cell phone in your residence, vehicle, or on your person to
nnonitor compliance with the above .
19. Abstain from the use, possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverage and submit to testing for alcohol use.
20. Comply with a curfew as directed by the court or supervision officer.
21. Pay a sex offender fee of $5.00 each month during the period of supervision.
22. Submit a blood sample or other specimen to the Texas Department of Public Safety, or a local agency approved by the
Court, within 30 days of the date of community supervision.
Pay any and all costs associated with the submission of blood or other specimens.
CHILD SAFETY ZONES
23. Do not supervise or participate in any program that includes as participants or recipients persons who are 17 years of
age or younger (a child) and that regularly provides athletic, civic, or cultural activities
24. Do not go in, on , or within 1,000 feet of a premise where children under 17 years of age commonly gather, including
a school, day.care facility, playground, public or private youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility.
25. Do not accept or maintain employment which will bring you into direct contact with any child, under 17 years of age,
unless approved by the Court or supervision officer.
26. Have no contact with any child under 17 years of age unless a chaperon approved by the Court or supervision officer
is present.
27 . Do not reside in a household where any child under 17 years of age lives unless approved by the Court or
:supervision officer.
28. Do not display or allow to be displayed on or about the exterior of the premises where you r
or festive decoration or ornamentation that would be reasona · ly attract p L-o--R-7.r'1'7----r-7-
age or younger. ,;
my conditions of community supervision .
. Supe=n Officer
l- / 7·1 r_
Date
371 st Sej Offender Conditions Page 2 of 2