In Re Kenneth Johnson, Jr. v. the State of Texas
Court
Court of Appeals of Texas
Decided
June 16, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
44%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
NUMBER 13-25-00322-CR COURT OF APPEALS THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS CORPUS CHRISTI – EDINBURG IN RE KENNETH JOHNSON JR. ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS MEMORANDUM OPINION Before Justices Silva, Peña, and Cron Memorandum Opinion by Justice Silva1 Relator Kenneth Johnson Jr. has filed a pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus seeking the dismissal of the indictment against him in trial court cause number 25352 in the 23rd District Court of Wharton County, Texas. Relator’s petition for writ of habeas corpus includes an emergency motion to suspend the warrant for his arrest. 1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not required to do so. When granting relief, the court must hand down an opinion as in any other case.”); id. R. 47.4 (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions). Original habeas jurisdiction in criminal proceedings is limited to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the district courts, and the county courts. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 11.05; Ex parte Braswell, 630 S.W.3d 600, 601 (Tex. App.—Waco 2021, orig. proceeding); In re Quinata, 538 S.W.3d 120, 120 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2017, orig. proceeding). Therefore, as an intermediate court of appeals, we lack original habeas jurisdiction in criminal matters. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d); In re Neal, 653 S.W.3d 346, 346 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2022, orig. proceeding); In re Spriggs, 528 S.W.3d 234, 236 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2017, orig. proceeding). Instead, our jurisdiction in such matters is appellate in nature. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d); Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833, 835 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, no pet.); Denby v. State, 627 S.W.2d 435, 435 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1981, orig. proceeding) (per curiam). The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of habeas corpus and the applicable law, is of the opinion that we lack jurisdiction to issue the requested relief. See TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d); In re Neal, 653 S.W.3d at 346; In re Spriggs, 528 S.W.3d at 236. Accordingly, we dismiss this original proceeding and relator’s emergency motion to suspend the warrant for his arrest for lack of jurisdiction. CLARISSA SILVA Justice Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2 (b). Delivered and filed on the 16th day of June, 2025. 2
Case Details
Case Details
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 16, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
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Case Summary
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Case Overview
Case Name: In Re Kenneth Johnson, Jr. v. the State of Texas
Court: Court of Appeals of Texas (federal)
Date: June 16, 2025
Citation: Unknown
Jurisdiction: SA
In this case, relator Kenneth Johnson Jr. filed a pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus seeking the dismissal of an indictment against him in the 23rd District Court of Wharton County, Texas. The petition included an emergency motion to suspend the warrant for his arrest.
Key Legal Issues
- Habeas Corpus Jurisdiction: The primary legal issue revolves around whether the Court of Appeals has original jurisdiction to hear a habeas corpus petition in criminal matters.
- Indictment Dismissal: Johnson sought to dismiss the indictment based on the habeas corpus petition.
Court's Decision
The Court of Appeals, composed of Justices Silva, Peña, and Cron, ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to grant the requested relief. Consequently, the court dismissed both the habeas corpus petition and the emergency motion to suspend the arrest warrant.
Legal Reasoning
The Court's decision was grounded in the following legal principles:
- Original Jurisdiction: The Court of Appeals noted that original habeas jurisdiction in criminal proceedings is limited to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, district courts, and county courts, as outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 11.05.
- Appellate Jurisdiction: As an intermediate appellate court, the Court of Appeals clarified that its jurisdiction in such matters is strictly appellate, referencing Texas Government Code § 22.221(d).
Key Holdings
- The Court of Appeals dismissed the habeas corpus petition due to lack of jurisdiction.
- The emergency motion to suspend the arrest warrant was also dismissed for the same reason.
Precedents and Citations
- Ex parte Braswell, 630 S.W.3d 600 (Tex. App.—Waco 2021)
- In re Quinata, 538 S.W.3d 120 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2017)
- In re Neal, 653 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2022)
- In re Spriggs, 528 S.W.3d 234 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2017)
- Dodson v. State, 988 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999)
- Denby v. State, 627 S.W.2d 435 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1981)
Practical Implications
This case underscores the jurisdictional limitations of the Texas Court of Appeals regarding habeas corpus petitions in criminal matters. Legal practitioners must be aware that:
- Habeas corpus petitions must be directed to the appropriate courts with original jurisdiction.
- The dismissal of such petitions in appellate courts can affect defendants' strategies in challenging indictments.
The ruling serves as a reminder for defendants and their counsel to carefully consider the appropriate venue for habeas corpus relief and the procedural requirements involved.
This case highlights the importance of understanding the jurisdictional boundaries within Texas criminal law, particularly in habeas corpus proceedings. Legal professionals should ensure that they file petitions in the correct court to avoid dismissal based on jurisdictional grounds.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 16, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools