Efrain Carrera v. Starr County--Appeal from 200th District Court of Travis County

State: Texas

Court: Texas Northern District Court

Docket No: 03-95-00528-CV

Case Date: 10/16/1996

Plaintiff: Efrain Carrera

Defendant: Starr County--Appeal from 200th District Court of Travis County

Preview:Ex Parte Sharon Kay Hammond--Appeal from of
County
Ex parte Hammond /**/
IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-94-046-CV
EX PARTE SHARON KAY HAMMOND
Original Proceeding
O P I N I O N
Relator Sharon Kay Hammond filed an application for writ of habeas corpus alleging that she was illegally confined
and restrained of her liberty in the Ellis County jail pursuant to a contempt judgment and a commitment order
resulting from her failure to pay child support. She alleges the contempt judgment and commitment order are void
because the trial court failed to inform Relator of her right to be represented by counsel and of her right to the
appointment of an attorney if she was found to be indigent. She further alleges that the trial court failed to inquire
about her financial status, and provide her with an opportunity, if she claimed indigency, to request that an attorney be
appointed and to conduct a hearing to determine the question of Relator's indigency as mandated by section 14.32(f) of
the Family Code. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. 14.32(f) (Vernon 1994); Ex parte John E. Gunther, 758 S.W.2d 226-27
(Tex. 1988).
Relator was released on bond set by this court and the matter was set for a hearing. The statement of facts shows
Realtor's allegations to be true that she was not represented by an attorney, was not advised of her right to be so
represented, nor advised that one would be appointed if she were indigent.
The real party in interest, Wesley Leroy Hammond, filed a response in which he acknowledged that the record contains
no evidence that Relator was informed that if she was indigent she was entitled to have an attorney appointed by the
court. Hammond admits that without such a record, in the interest of justice, Relator should be discharged from the
order revoking suspension and for commitment to the county jail.
Given Hammond's response and the record's total failure to reflect that Relator was informed of her right to counsel,
we advance the case without oral argument and grant the writ. We hold that the judgment and commitment order are
void and order that the Sheriff of Ellis County discharge Relator from custody.
PER CURIAM
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Before Chief Justice Thomas,
Justice Cummings, and
Justice Vance
Writ granted
Opinion delivered and filed June 1, 1994
Do not publish
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