TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-25-00499-CV

In re Cliff Stephens

ORIGINAL PROCEEDING FROM TRAVIS COUNTY

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Relator Cliff Stephens has filed a pro se petition for writ of mandamus. Having reviewed the petition, we dismiss the petition for writ of mandamus for want of jurisdiction. See Tex. R. App. P. 52.8(a).

Relator has listed as respondents the Texas Department of Emergency Management and Cass County. This Court’s mandamus jurisdiction is expressly limited by statute to: (1) writs against a district court judge or county court judge in this Court’s district, and (2) all writs necessary to enforce our jurisdiction. See Tex. Gov’t Code § 22.221. As to the former, the Third Court of Appeals has jurisdiction of appeals from the trial courts located in Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Fayette, Hays, Irion, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, McCulloch, Milam, Mills, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Sterling, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties. See id. § 22.201(d). This is an original proceeding from Cass County. See id. § 22.221.

Thus, even if that Relator’s petition were directed to a district court, we have no jurisdiction to issue a writ of mandamus against a district court judge outside this Court’s district. See id. As to the latter, Relator has not demonstrated that the exercise of our writ power is necessary to enforce our jurisdiction in this case. Therefore, Relator has not established that we have jurisdiction to issue the writ he seeks.

The petition for writ of mandamus is dismissed for want of jurisdiction. See Tex. R. App. P. 52.8(a).

__________________________________________ Rosa Lopez Theofanis, Justice Before Justices Triana, Kelly, and Theofanis Filed: July 25, 2025