ON APPLICATIONS FOR WRITS OF PROHIBITION

IN CAUSE NOS. 09-649-K368 & 09-650-K368

IN THE 368^th DISTRICT COURT FROM

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Relators filed motions for leave to file motions to stay the underlying proceedings in the trial court until this Court decides their pending mandamus applications. In re Charles Kevin Bowen and Jennifer Bowen, AP-76,519 & AP-76,520 (argued and submitted May 4, 2011). Relators allege that the trial court has set the cases for a pre-trial hearing on June 1, 2011 and for trial on June 13, 2011.

We construe these motions as motions for leave to file applications for writs of prohibition ⁽¹⁾ pursuant to our constitutional authority to issue writs of prohibition in both criminal law matters and in protection of our jurisdiction. Tex. Const. art. V, § 5(c).

The respondent, the Judge of the 368^th District Court of Williamson County, and the real party in interest, the Williamson County District Attorney, are invited to submit responses for the Court's consideration.

Any response by any party shall be submitted to this Court by 12:00 p.m. on May 27, 2011. The motions for leave to file applications for writs of prohibition will be held in abeyance until that time.

Filed: May 25, 2011

Do not publish

1. Historically, this Court has refused to "be delimited by the denomination of the pleadings by the relator" and will look to the essence of pleadings, including the prayers. State ex rel. Vance v. Clawson, 465 S.W.2d 164, 169 (Tex. Crim. App. 1971).