X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

OPINION A jury found Appellant Henry Lee Hutchinson guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assessed punishment at 75 years’ imprisonment.[1] The trial court entered a judgment of Appellant’s conviction that stated “N/A” regarding a deadly weapon finding. After Appellant was released on parole, the court entered a nunc pro tunc judgment of conviction that stated “Yes Not Firearm” regarding a deadly weapon finding. Due to the addition of the affirmative deadly weapon finding in the nunc pro tunc judgment, the Board of Pardons and Parole reversed its earlier parole decision and Appellant was reincarcerated. He now appeals from the entry of the nunc pro tunc judgment. In Issue One, Appellant argues that his federal constitutional rights were violated because his parole was revoked without notice, a hearing, or the ability to be represented by counsel. Appellant further alleges a violation of TEX.GOV’T CODE ANN.§§ 508.281(a) and 508.2811, which provide that a person released on parole is entitled to a hearing before revocation of parole can occur. Appellant admits, however, that this Court may only consider the propriety of the entry of the nun pro tunc judgment and that we lack jurisdiction to consider the revocation of his parole, which is properly raised in an application for writ of habeas corpus. Appellant alternately argues in Issue Two that the doctrine of laches bars entry of the nunc pro tunc judgment due to the eight- year delay in the entry of the judgment. The State concedes that the nunc pro tunc judgment was improperly entered due to the lack of notice to Appellant, a proper hearing, or Appellant’s representation by counsel in a hearing. The State also agrees to the limited relief of remanding the case to the trial court to conduct a hearing on the nunc pro tunc judgment. Our review of the record confirms the absence of a hearing on the entry of the nunc pro tunc judgment. We thus conclude that the trial court erred by entering the judgment without affording Appellant notice of a hearing or the opportunity to be present and represented by counsel at the hearing. See Guthrie-Nail v. State, 506 S.W.3d 1, 2 (Tex.Crim.App. 2015), citing Shaw v. State, 539 S.W.2d 887, 890 (Tex.Crim.App. 1976) (“Before any unfavorable nunc pro tunc orders are entered the person convicted should be given an opportunity to be present for the hearing, represented by counsel, in order to accord him due process of law.”). However, we express no opinion and take no action on the merits of Appellant’s parole revocation, which is properly raised in an application for writ of habeas corpus filed with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals under TEX.CODE CRIM.PROC.ANN. art. 11.07. See Garza v. State, 435 S.W.3d 258, 264 (Tex.Crim.App. 2014) (the Court of Criminal Appeals has jurisdiction to consider habeas actions filed under article 11.07); Ex parte Reaves, No. 10-21-00159-CR, 2021 WL 2964694, at *1 (Tex.App.–Waco July 14, 2021, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (intermediate courts of appeals lack jurisdiction to consider post-conviction habeas actions filed under article 11.07). Appellant’s Issue One is sustained insofar as it complains of the lack of notice and opportunity to participate in the entry of the nunc pro tunc judgment. Having sustained Issue One, we need not reach Issue Two. We reverse the nunc pro tunc judgment and sentence and remand this case for the limited purpose of conducting a hearing on the nunc pro tunc judgment. JEFF ALLEY, Justice Date October 14, 2022 Before Rodriguez, C.J., Palafox, and Alley, JJ. (Do Not Publish)

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
April 08, 2025 - April 09, 2025
Chicago, IL

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
November 18, 2024 - November 19, 2024
New York, NY

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
November 27, 2024
London

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession in the UK.


Learn More

We are seeking two experienced Litigation Associates with 2 to 7 years of experience to join our defense teams in our downtown New York City...


Apply Now ›

Description: Fox Rothschild has an opening for a Litigation Counsel in our Seattle office. Experience with insurance bad faith and coverage ...


Apply Now ›

Robert C. Gottlieb & Associates PLLC is a 40-year-old litigation boutique looking to hire a civil attorney who has concentrated in civil...


Apply Now ›