                          COURT OF APPEALS
                           SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
                                FORT WORTH

                                 NO. 2-09-190-CV

IN RE THEODIS DODSON, JR.                                               RELATOR

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                             ORIGINAL PROCEEDING

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                         MEMORANDUM OPINION 1

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        Relator asks this court to compel the trial court to rule on his motion for

DNA testing and request for counsel to assist with his motion for DNA testing

under chapter 64 of the code of criminal procedure. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc.

Ann. art. 64.01 (Vernon 2006).

        Nothing in the record indicates that this motion has been presented to the

trial court. Presentment of the motion to the trial court is a prerequisite to

mandamus relief. See O’Connor v. First Court of Appeals, 837 S.W.2d 94, 97

(Tex. 1992) (“Mandamus will issue when there is a legal duty to perform a

non-discretionary act, a demand for performance, and a refusal.”); In re Chavez,

62 S.W.3d 225, 228 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding) (“Indeed,




   1
       … See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
one can hardly be faulted for doing nothing if he were never aware of the need

to act.”). Accordingly, relator’s petition for writ of mandamus is denied.


                                                PER CURIAM


PANEL: MCCOY, J.; CAYCE, C.J.; and LIVINGSTON, J.

DELIVERED: July 14, 2009




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