Opinion
04-23-00683-CR
08-11-2023
Robert KOTARA, Appellant v. The STATE of Texas, Appellee
From the 227th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas Trial Court No. 2021CR4435 Honorable Christine Del Prado, Judge Presiding
ORDER
Irene Rios, Justice
Pursuant to a plea-bargain agreement, appellant pleaded nolo contendere to one count of theft. The trial court assessed punishment at nine months and eleven days confinement and a fine of $1,500.00. On May 3, 2023, the trial court signed a certification of defendant's right to appeal stating this "is a plea-bargain case, and the defendant has NO right of appeal." See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(a)(2).
Generally, in a plea bargain case, a defendant may appeal only: (1) those matters that were raised by written motion filed and ruled on before trial; (2) after getting the trial court's permission to appeal; or (3) where the specific appeal is expressly authorized by statute. See id. 25.2(a)(2). The clerk's record, which contains a written plea bargain, establishes the punishment assessed by the court does not exceed the punishment recommended by the prosecutor and agreed to by the appellant. See id. The clerk's record does not include a written motion filed and ruled upon before trial; nor does it indicate that the trial court gave its permission to appeal. See id. The trial court's certification, therefore, appears to accurately reflect that this is a pleabargain case and that appellant does not have a right to appeal. We must dismiss an appeal "if a certification that shows the defendant has the right of appeal has not been made part of the record ...." Id. 25.2(d).
This appeal will be dismissed pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 25.2(d) unless an amended trial court certification showing that appellant has the right to appeal is made part of the appellate record by August 21, 2023. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d), 37.1; Daniels v. State, 110 S.W.3d 174 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2003, order).
We ORDER all other appellate deadlines suspended until further order of the court.