









IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS





NO. WR-70,284-02


EX PARTE ROBERT J. JAMES, Applicant





ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 4760-A IN THE 1ST DISTRICT COURT

FROM NEWTON COUNTY



 Per curiam.

O R D E R


	Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for writ of habeas corpus.  Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967).  Applicant was convicted of aggravated sexual
assault of a child and sentenced to life imprisonment.  The Ninth Court of Appeals affirmed his 
conviction. James v. State, NO. 09-01-500-CR, (Tex. App. - Beaumont, 2002, no pet.) (not
designated for publication).  
	Applicant contends that his  appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance because counsel
failed to timely notify Applicant that his  conviction had been affirmed and failed to advise him of
his  right to petition for discretionary review pro se.
	Applicant has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 608 (1984); Ex parte Lemke, 13 S.W.3d 791,795-96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000).  In these
circumstances, additional facts are needed.  Pursuant to Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294
(Tex. Crim. App. 1960), the trial court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.  The trial court
shall provide appellate counsel with the opportunity to respond to Applicant's claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel in that it shall order counsel to file an affidavit addressing whether counsel
advised Applicant that his appeal had been affirmed and that he had a right to file a pro se petition
for discretionary review.   The affidavit shall also identify the date(s) counsel rendered said advice. 
The trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 11.07, § 3(d).  In the
appropriate case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection.  Id.
	If the trial court elects to hold a hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent. If
Applicant is indigent and wishes to be represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an
attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04. 
	The trial court shall make findings of fact as to whether Applicant's appellate counsel timely
informed Applicant that his  conviction had been affirmed and that he has a right to file a pro se
petition for discretionary review.  The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and
conclusions of law that it deems relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claim for
habeas corpus relief.
	This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues.  The
issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order.  If any continuances are granted, a copy of the
order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. A supplemental transcript containing all
affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any hearing or
deposition, along with the trial court's supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall
be returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order.   Any extensions of time shall be
obtained from this Court. 

Filed: November 19, 2008
Do not publish
