Andres Alejandro Barragan v. the State of Texas
Court
Court of Appeals of Texas
Decided
June 20, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
44%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN NO. 03-25-00293-CR Andres Alejandro Barragan, Appellant v. The State of Texas, Appellee FROM THE 20TH DISTRICT COURT OF MILAM COUNTY NO. CR27,921, THE HONORABLE JOHN YOUNGBLOOD, JUDGE PRESIDING ORDER AND MEMORANDUM OPINION PER CURIAM Appellant Andres Alejandro Barragan was convicted of sexual assault of a child and sentenced to twelve years’ confinement by the trial court. See Tex. Penal Code § 22.011(a)(2). Pursuant to a plea bargain, Barragan pleaded guilty, judicially confessed to the indicted offense, and waived his “right to appeal[,] including the right to appeal any decisions made by the Court in any and all pre-trial hearings.” In exchange, the parties agreed that the available sentencing range would be capped at fifteen years, and the State recommended that the trial court consider an unadjudicated charge of marijuana possession. See Tex. Penal Code § 12.45 (barring prosecution for unadjudicated offenses considered during sentencing hearing); Kennedy v. State, 297 S.W.3d 338, 342 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009) (reaffirming that charge-bargaining constitutes plea bargain for purposes of Rule 25.2(a)(2)); Shankle v. State, 119 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (explaining that “[s]entence-bargaining may be for binding or non-binding recommendations to the court on sentences, including a recommended ‘cap’ on sentencing”); Threadgill v. State, 120 S.W.3d 871, 872 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, no pet.) (listing cases holding that “an agreement to a punishment cap is a plea agreement within the meaning of Rule 25.2 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure”). The State’s recommendation—signed by Barragan and his attorney—also contained a checked box next to the provision: “WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO APPEAL, INCLUDING NOTICE OF APPEAL AND MOTIONS FOR NEW TRIAL. WITHDRAW ALL PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS.” The trial court accepted the plea bargain. The parties acknowledged the existence of the sentencing cap during the punishment hearing, and the judgment of conviction noted both the cap and the trial court’s consideration of the unadjudicated marijuana-possession charge. Barragan’s right to appeal was not addressed at the hearing. In its certification of Barragan’s right of appeal, the trial court certified that this is “a plea-bargain case, and the defendant has NO right of appeal.” See Tex. R. App. P. 25.2 (requiring certification of defendant’s right of appeal). However, next to the certification, the trial judge wrote “sentencing guilt/innocence.” The judge did not check the box providing that this is “a plea-bargain case, but the trial court has given permission to appeal.” It is unclear from the record whether the trial court’s notation was intended to signify that the court had given Barragan permission to appeal and, if so, from what. Accordingly, we abate this appeal and remand the cause to the trial court for entry of an amended certification clarifying Barragan’s right of appeal. See Dears v. State, 154 S.W.3d 610, 614–15 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (requiring court of appeals to obtain another certification when certification in record “is correct in form but . . . proves to be inaccurate”); Saldana v. State, 2 No. 03-17-00151-CR, 2017 WL 2856456, at *1 (Tex. App.—Austin June 27, 2017, order) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (abating for clarification due to “conflicting information in the clerk’s record about [defendant]’s right to appeal”). The trial court is instructed to prepare and file with this Court an amended certification specifying whether this is a plea-bargain case for which Barragan has no right of appeal, whether he has waived his right of appeal, or whether the trial court has given him permission to appeal. If the trial court has given Barragan permission to appeal, it shall note the scope of the permission. The supplemental clerk’s record containing the amended certification shall be forwarded to this Court within fifteen days of the date reflected in this opinion. It is so ordered on June 20, 2025. Before Justices Triana, Theofanis, and Crump Abated and Remanded Filed: June 20, 2025 Do Not Publish 3
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 20, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Summary
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Case Overview
Case Name: Andres Alejandro Barragan v. The State of Texas
Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
Date: June 20, 2025
Citation: Unknown
Jurisdiction: SA
In the case of Andres Alejandro Barragan v. The State of Texas, the appellant, Barragan, was convicted of sexual assault of a child and sentenced to twelve years’ confinement. The conviction arose from a plea bargain wherein Barragan pleaded guilty, judicially confessed to the offense, and waived his right to appeal any decisions made during pre-trial hearings.
Key Legal Issues
- Plea Bargain Validity: The implications of waiving the right to appeal in a plea bargain.
- Judicial Certification: The clarity of the trial court's certification regarding the right to appeal.
- Sentencing Cap: The legality and implications of a sentencing cap in plea agreements.
Court's Decision
The Texas Court of Appeals abated the appeal and remanded the case back to the trial court for clarification on Barragan's right to appeal. The court noted conflicting information in the trial court's certification regarding whether Barragan had waived his right to appeal or if the court had granted permission to appeal.
Legal Reasoning
The court's decision was grounded in the need for clarity in the certification of appeal rights. The trial court's notation was ambiguous, leading to uncertainty about Barragan's rights under the plea agreement. The appellate court referenced Dears v. State and Saldana v. State to support the necessity of obtaining an accurate certification when the existing record is unclear.
Key Holdings
- The appellate court requires an amended certification from the trial court to clarify Barragan's right to appeal.
- The trial court must specify whether this is a plea-bargain case with no right to appeal, if Barragan waived his right to appeal, or if the court granted permission to appeal.
- The supplemental clerk’s record with the amended certification must be filed within fifteen days.
Precedents and Citations
- Texas Penal Code § 22.011(a)(2): Defines sexual assault of a child.
- Texas Penal Code § 12.45: Discusses unadjudicated offenses during sentencing.
- Kennedy v. State, 297 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009): Addresses charge-bargaining as part of plea agreements.
- Shankle v. State, 119 S.W.3d 808 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003): Explains sentence-bargaining in plea agreements.
- Threadgill v. State, 120 S.W.3d 871 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003): Discusses agreements on sentencing caps.
- Dears v. State, 154 S.W.3d 610 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005): Mandates obtaining accurate certifications for appeals.
- Saldana v. State, No. 03-17-00151-CR (Tex. App.—Austin June 27, 2017): Clarifies conflicting information in appeal rights.
Practical Implications
This case underscores the importance of precise legal documentation and clarity in plea agreements. Legal practitioners should ensure that all aspects of plea bargains, especially concerning appeal rights, are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. The decision also highlights the appellate court's role in safeguarding defendants' rights by requiring accurate certifications from trial courts. This case serves as a reminder for defense attorneys to thoroughly review plea agreements and ensure their clients are fully aware of their rights and any waivers involved.
By addressing these issues, the court aims to maintain the integrity of the judicial process and protect defendants' rights in plea bargain situations.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 20, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case importance metrics
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Additional information
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