Jerry Nicholas Watts v. the State of Texas

Appeal dismissed and Memorandum Opinion filed September 10, 2024.

In The

Fourteenth Court of Appeals

NO. 14-24-00569-CR

JERRY NICHOLAS WATTS, Appellant

V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 337th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 1714416

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Appellant entered a plea of guilty to the charge of murder. Appellant and the
State agreed that appellant’s punishment would not exceed confinement in prison
for more than thirty-five years. In accordance with the terms of this plea bargain
agreement with the State, the trial court sentenced appellant to confinement for
thirty-five years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice on November 30, 2022.

The trial court entered a certification of the defendant’s right to appeal in
1
which the court certified that this is a plea-bargain case and the defendant has no
right of appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 25.2(a)(2). An agreement that places a cap on
punishment is a plea bargain for purposes of Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure
25.2(a)(2). Shankle v. State, 119 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Waters
v. State, 124 S.W.3d 825, 826–27 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d)
(holding reviewing court lacked jurisdiction where defendant pled guilty with a
sentencing cap of ten years, even though trial judge mistakenly certified defendant
had right of appeal); Threadgill v. State, 120 S.W.3d 871, 872 (Tex. App.—Houston
[1st Dist.] 2003, no. pet.) (holding statement in record indicating that there was no
agreed recommendation did not convert proceeding into an open plea where plea
was entered pursuant to agreed sentencing cap).

Because appellant’s plea was made pursuant to a plea bargain, he may appeal
only matters raised by a written pre-trial motion or with the trial court’s permission.
See Tex. R. App. P. 25.2(a)(2). The record does not contain any adverse pre-trial
rulings, and the record does not reflect that the trial court has given permission to
appeal any matter.

Moreover, as appellant did not file a timely motion for new trial, appellant’s
notice of appeal was due December 30, 2022. See Tex. R. App. P. 26.2(a)(1).

A court of appeals may grant an extension of time if, within 15 days after the
deadline for filing the notice of appeal, the party files (a) the notice of appeal in the
trial court, and (b) a motion for extension of time in the court of appeals. See Tex.
R. App. P. 26.3; see also Tex. R. App. P. 10.5(b)(2) (governing motion for extension
of time to file notice of appeal). Accounting for a weekend and a holiday, this meant
a motion for extension of time had to be filed by January 17, 2023. See Tex. R. App.
P. 4.1(a).

Appellant filed the underlying notice of appeal on July 30, 2024, a date that is
2
not within 15 days of the due date.

A notice of appeal that complies with the requirements of Texas Rule of
Appellate Procedure 26 is essential to vest the court of appeals with jurisdiction.
Olivo v. State, 918 S.W.2d 519, 522 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). When a notice of
appeal is not filed within the 15-day period, the court of appeals can take no action
other than to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. See id.

On August 12, 2024, the parties were notified that the appeal was subject to
dismissal without further notice unless a party demonstrated that the court has
jurisdiction. No response has been received.

Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.

PER CURIAM

Panel consists of Chief Justice Christopher and Justices Wise and Hassan.

Do Not Publish — Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).

3