Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, 2012

Bryant, Bria and Other Occupants v. US Bank National Association as Trustee for the Registered Holder of ABFC2007

Bryant, Bria and Other Occupants v. US Bank National Association as Trustee for the Registered Holder of ABFC2007
Court of Civil Appeals of Texas · Decided October 10, 2012

Bryant, Bria and Other Occupants v. US Bank National Association as Trustee for the Registered Holder of ABFC2007

Opinion

1)ISMISS; Opinion issued October 10, 2012

In The Qtmirt uf .ppra1s iftti Ihtrirt uf tIJixa at t1atIa No. 05-li-00121-CV

BR1A BRYANT, Appellant V. US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATiON AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF ABFC 2007-WMCI TRUST, Appellee On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 5 Dallas County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. CC-i I -00057-E

MEMORANDUM OPINION Before Chief Justice Wright and Justices Francis and Lang-Miers Opinion By Chief Justice Wright In this appeal. Bria Bryant challenges the trial court’s order dismissing for want of prosecution the forcible detainer action brought against her by US Bank National Association as Trustee for the Registered Holder of ABFC 2007-WMCI Trust. Because it did not appear Bryant’s rights were prejudiced by the trial court’s order, a requirement to be entitled to appellate review, we questioned Bryant’s standing to bring, and ourj urisdiction over, this appeal. See Jack Jones Hearing Ctrs.. Inc. v. Slate Comm. ojExamn ‘rs in Fitting andDispensingo learinglnstrumenis, 363 S.W.3d 911,914 (Tex. App.—Austin 2012, no pet.). By letter dated April 17, 2012, we directed Bryant to file a letter brief addressing our concern within ten days of the date of the letter. We directed US Bank to file any response within fourteen days. To date. Bryant has not filed the brief or otherwise communicated with the Court.

Standing, which focuses on who may bring a lawsuit, is a prerequisite to subject matter jurisdiction, which is essential to a court’s powcr to decide a case. See Frost Nat 1 Bank v. Fernandez, 315 S.W.3d 494,502 (Tex. 2010), ccii. denied, 131 S. Ct. 1017(2011); Ta Ass ‘n of Bus. v. Ta Air Control Bc!, 852 S.W.2d 440,443 (Tex. 1993). To have standing on appeal. and invoke the subject matter jurisdiction of the reviewing court, a party to a suit must make a prima facie showing that its interests have been prejudiced or adversely affected by thejudgment See Jack Jones, 363 S.W.3d at 914. Standing. like subject matterjurisdiction, is never presumed and may be raised sua sponte by the reviewing court at any time during the pendency of the appeal. Ta Workers’ Cony.;. Comm ¶n v. Garcia, 893 S.W.2d 504,517 n. 15 (Tex. 1995); Ta Ass ¶n ofBus., 852 S.W.2d at 443—44; Concerned Cms’y Involved Dev.. Inc. v. City ofHouston. 209 S.W.3d 666.670 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006. pet. denied).

Because a dismissal of a suit for want of prosecution has the same effect as if the suit had never been filed. it affects the rights of the party bringing the suit. See Show v. Corcoran, 570 S.W.2d 96,98 (Tex. App.—Austin 1978, no writ). Having brought the suit. US Bank was the party affected by the dismissal order, not Bryant Accordingly, because Bryant’s rights were not affected by the dismissal order, she lacks standing to pursue the appeal and we lack jurisdiction over the appeal. We dismiss the appeal. See TEx. R. APP. p. 42.3(a).

11012 1F.P05 tiiirt øf \ppia1 1ift1i iitrirt uf irxw tt Jt1ta JUDGMENT BRIA BRYANT, Appellant Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 5 of Dallas County, Texas. (Tr.Ct.No. CC-I 1- No. 05-1 i-00121-CV V. 0005 7-E).

Opinion delivered by Chief Justice Wright.

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS Justices Francis and Lang-Miers participating.

TRUSTEE FOR TI IL REGISTERED 1-TO LDER OF ABFC 2007-WMCI TRUST.

Appel lee In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, we DiSMISS the appeal. We ORDER that appellee ITS Bank National Association as Trustee ftr the Registered Ilolder of ABFC 2007- WMCI Trust recover its costs. if any. of this appeal from appellant Bria Bryant.

Judgment entered October 10, 2012.

(‘,\RI:)l YN WRIGHT (‘I 111:1 ii. •s iic;i

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.