Stanford C. Todd v. Christine M. David--Appeal from 52nd District Court of Coryell County
Annotate this CaseDISMISSED
SEPTEMBER 13, 1990
NO. 10-90-116-CV
Trial Court
# 24,503
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE
TENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT WACO
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STANFORD C. TODD,
Appellant
v.
CHRISTINE M. DAVID,
Appellee
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
From 52nd Judicial District Court
Coryell County, Texas
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O P I N I O N
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On May 3, 1990, Stanford Todd, Appellant, was held in contempt for failing to pay child support and assessed 78 months in jail and a $6,500 fine. However, on that date the court suspended imposition of the commitment order, and placed him on probation for five years.
Appellant has attempted a direct appeal of the May 3rd order to this court.
A decree of contempt, though probated or suspended, constitutes a restraint on one's liberty. Ex parte Conner, 746 S.W.2d 527 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1988) (abating appeal). Such an order can lead to incarceration and is thus quasi-criminal in nature. Ex parte Conner, 749 S.W.2d 241, 242 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 1988, no writ). This court does not have jurisdiction over a direct appeal from such an order. Wagner v. Warnasch, 156 Tex. 334, 295 S.W.2d 890 (1956); Ex parte Dillard, 577 S.W.2d 519, 520 (Tex. Civ. App.--Texarkana 1979, no writ).
The appeal is dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
PER CURIAM
DO NOT PUBLISH
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