Opinion
NO. 77,153-01
03-07-2012
EX PARTE JOHN EDWARD COOPER, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. F-1021503-R IN THE 265TH DISTRICT COURT
FROM DALLAS COUNTY
Per curiam.
ORDER
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of theft of metals and sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
Applicant contends Texas prison officials are not correctly applying pre-sentence jail-time credit to his sentence. The dates of the credits to be awarded are listed on the judgment of conviction. There is no response in the record from prison officials, and Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Ex parte Spann, 132 S.W.3d 390 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). In these circumstances, additional facts are needed. As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.
The trial court shall order the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to file an affidavit addressing Applicant's time-credit claim. The trial court may also order depositions, interrogatories or a hearing. In the appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection. Id. If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 26.04.
The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether Applicant is receiving credit on his sentence for the pre-sentence jail-time awarded in the judgment. The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claim for habeas corpus relief.
This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues. The issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order. If any continuances are granted, a copy of the order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. A supplemental transcript containing all affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any hearing or deposition, along with the trial court's supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall be returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order. Any extensions of time shall be obtained from this Court. Do not publish