IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

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NO. PD-0001-07

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THE STATE OF TEXAS

v.

JAMES CROOK, Appellee

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ON STATE'S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

FROM THE EIGHTH COURT OF APPEALS

EL PASO COUNTY

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Cochran, J., filed a dissenting opinion in which, Womack, J., joined.

O P I N I O N

Time runs; money is paid. A term of imprisonment runs for a period of time; a fine is paid, either immediately or over a period of time. One term of imprisonment may run concurrently with another term of imprisonment. One fine cannot "run" concurrently with another fine. At least not until today. Before today, all fines could be paid at the same time, i.e. concurrently, but each fine had to be paid.

Never before has a $200 fine for speeding "run" with a $100 fine for simultaneously failing to wear a seat belt. One has never before paid the fine for the single most expensive traffic ticket violation and let all the others ride free. But a new day has dawned. Traffic-ticket scofflaws may rejoice.

I respectfully dissent.

Filed: February 6, 2008

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