Opinion
NO. 03-18-00061-CV
02-01-2018
In re Renee M. White
ORIGINAL PROCEEDING FROM BELL COUNTY
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Renee M. White, an inmate proceeding pro se, has filed a document that we construe as an application for writ of habeas corpus, based on its substance. See Surgitek, Bristol-Myers Corp. v. Abel, 997 S.W.2d 598, 601 (Tex. 1999) (courts look at substance of pleading rather than its caption or form to determine its nature). Although White does not designate his request as an application for writ of habeas corpus, in effect the relief he seeks amounts to a request for habeas relief. White complains of his confinement in the Bell County jail. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. arts. 11.01 (defining writ of habeas corpus as "the remedy to be used when any person is restrained in his liberty"); 11.21 (defining "confinement"), 11.22 (defining "restraint"). We do not have jurisdiction to grant the relief that White seeks.
Article V, Section 6, of the Texas Constitution provides that courts of appeals "shall have original or appellate jurisdiction, under such restrictions and regulations as may be prescribed by law." Tex. Const. art. V, § 6. Pursuant to this constitutional directive, the Legislature established the authority of a court of appeals to issue writs in Section 22.221 of the Government Code. See Tex. Gov't Code § 22.221. Under Section 22.221, this Court has no original habeas corpus jurisdiction in criminal-law matters; our original jurisdiction to entertain applications for writ of habeas corpus extends solely to the actions of judges in civil cases. See id. § 22.221(d) (providing original habeas jurisdiction to courts of appeals where relator's liberty is restrained by virtue of order, process, or commitment issued by court or judge in civil case); see also Lewis v. State, 191 S.W.3d 225, 229 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2005, pet ref'd); Watson v. State, 96 S.W.3d 497, 500 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2002, pet ref'd); Ex parte Hearon, 3 S.W.3d 650, 650 (Tex. App.—Waco 1999, orig. proceeding) (per curiam). Our habeas corpus jurisdiction in criminal matters is appellate only. See Tex. Gov't Code § 22.221(d); see also In re Graham, No. 03-14-00270-CV, 2015 WL 5781102, at *1 (Tex. App.—Austin Oct. 2, 2015, orig. proceeding); In re Sowell, No. 12-14-00311-CR, 2014 WL 5499850, at *1 (Tex. App.—Tyler Oct. 30, 2014, orig. proceeding) (per curiam). Original jurisdiction to grant a writ of habeas corpus in a criminal case is vested in the Court of Criminal Appeals, the district courts, the county courts, or a judge of those courts. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.05; see In re Hall, No. 03-17-00778-CV, 2017 WL 5985541, at *1 (Tex. App.—Austin Nov. 30, 2017, orig. proceeding).
Accordingly, we dismiss White's application for writ of habeas corpus for want of jurisdiction. See Tex. R. App. P. 52.8(a).
/s/_________
Melissa Goodwin, Justice Before Chief Justice Rose, Justices Goodwin and Field Filed: February 1, 2018