EX PARTE BILLY DOYCE BECK, JR. (other)

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IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. WR-69,095-01

EX PARTE BILLY DOYCE BECK, JR., Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS

CAUSE NO. C-34,214-A IN THE 244TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM ECTOR COUNTY

Per curiam.

O R D E R

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 possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to 15 months' state jail. He did not appeal his conviction.

Applicant contends that his plea was involuntary because counsel refused to answer questions about the consequences of pleading guilty and that he, thus, did not have an understanding about his "other options." He alleges that counsel threatened that she would tell the trial judge that he was refusing to accept the plea offer unless he "hurried up" and made a decision. Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). 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 may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d) in that it shall order trial counsel to file an affidavit responding to Applicant's allegations. 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 and conclusions of law in regard to Applicant's claim that his plea was involuntary. The trial judge shall make findings as to whether Applicant was admonished as to the consequences of his plea before he entered it. The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and conclusions of law 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 the trial court's written admonishments, a copy of the plea agreement, Applicant's judicial confession and waivers, 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.

Filed: March 19, 2008

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