Bell, Dominque Rashad

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-97,605-01

EX PARTE DOMINQUE RASHAD BELL, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. C-297-W012759-1712051-A
IN THE 297TH DISTRICT COURT
TARRANT COUNTY

Per curiam.

OPINION

Applicant was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and

sentenced to eleven years’ imprisonment. He filed this application for a writ of

habeas corpus in the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this

Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

Applicant contends that he was denied his right to an appeal because

appellate counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal. Based on the record, the
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trial court has found that counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal.

Relief is granted. Ex parte Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988);

Jones v. State, 98 S.W.3d 700 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Applicant may file an out-

of-time appeal of his conviction in cause number 1712051 from the 297th District

Court of Tarrant County. It appears that Applicant is represented by counsel.

However, if Applicant is not represented by counsel, the trial court shall

determine, within ten days from the date of this Court’s mandate, whether

Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wants to be represented by

counsel, the trial court shall appoint counsel to represent him on direct appeal.

Should Applicant decide to appeal, he must file a written notice of appeal in the

trial court within thirty days from the date of this Court’s mandate.

Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal

Justice–Correctional Institutions Division and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Delivered: June 11, 2026
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