Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, 1985

White v. State

White v. State
Court of Civil Appeals of Texas · Decided October 30, 1985 · Butts, Cantu, Esquivel
699 S.W.2d 380; 1985 Tex. App. LEXIS 12429 (South Western Reporter, Second Series)

White v. State

Opinion of the Court

OPINION

PER CURIAM.

On State’s Motion to Dismiss Appeal

The State has filed a motion to dismiss the appeal in the instant cause. The State alleges that appellant failed to give notice of appeal as required by TEX.CODE CRIM. PROC.ANN. art. 44.08 (Vernon Supp. 1985). We disagree with the State and deny the motion.

The State overlooks the fact that the transcript in this cause contains a “Certificate of Appeal to the Court of Appeals.” This typed document shows on it’s face that appellant gave oral notice of appeal on May 9, 1985. It also contains the cause number, the court in which the conviction occurred, the offense and the punishment assessed. This certificate is signed by the clerk of the court. The judgment shows that May 9, 1985 was the date sentence was suspended and appellant placed on probation.

The pertinent portion of article 44.08(a) recites:

... If notice is given orally in open court, the clerk shall reduce the same to writing. In either case, the clerk of the trial court shall note upon the duplicate the file number of the case and the date notice of appeal was filed or given and forward it to the appropriate court of appeals_ [Emphasis ours.]

We hold that the certificate of appeal signed by the clerk and contained in the transcript complies with the foregoing provision of article 40.09, supra, as the reduction to writing of appellant’s oral notice of appeal.

We hold that appellant has given timely notice of appeal as required by article 40.-09, supra. Accordingly, the State’s motion is denied.

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