In Re Paige Mycoskie 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. 03-25-00431-CV In re Paige Mycoskie ORIGINAL PROCEEDING FROM TRAVIS COUNTY MEMORANDUM OPINION Relator Paige Mycoskie has filed a petition for writ of mandamus complaining of the trial court’s order granting real party in interest Johnson-Power Construction, Inc.’s Amended Fourth Motion to Compel Discovery and for Sanctions. We deny mandamus relief for the reasons stated below. Relator did not file a mandamus record with her petition but instead solely filed an appendix. “Because relator attempts to use the appendix as a mechanism for attaching what should be included in the mandamus record, [s]he must comply with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 52.7(a)(1).” In re Pentland, No. 03-22-00717-CV, 2023 WL 307476, at *1 (Tex. App.—Austin Jan. 19, 2023, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.). Thus, relator “must file with the petition . . . a properly authenticated transcript of any relevant testimony from any underlying proceeding, including any exhibits offered in evidence, or a statement that no testimony was adduced in connection with the matter complained.” Tex. R. App. P. 52.7(a)(2). The trial court’s order indicates that it heard real party’s motion on June 11, 2025, and considered “the pleadings on file, the admissible evidence, and the arguments of the parties” in reaching its decision. Yet, relator has not supplied this Court with a transcript from the hearing and any exhibits admitted at that hearing, nor has she stated that no testimony was adduced in connection with this matter. See id. It is relator’s burden to provide a sufficient mandamus record to establish their right to relief. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 837 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding). “This court cannot make a sound decision based on an incomplete picture.” In re Le, 335 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, orig. proceeding). “Those seeking the extraordinary remedy of mandamus must follow the applicable procedural rules. Chief among these is the critical obligation to provide the reviewing court with a complete and adequate record.” Id. (footnote omitted); accord In re Smith, No. 03-14-00478-CV, 2014 WL 4079922, at *1 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 13, 2014, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.). Because we lack a sufficient mandamus record, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus without prejudice to her refiling a petition in the future. Tex. R. App. P. 52.8(a); see In re Smith, 2014 WL 4079922, at *2. We also deny relator’s motion for emergency relief. __________________________________________ Maggie Ellis, Justice Before Justices Triana, Kelly, and Ellis Filed: June 20, 2025 2
Case Details
Case Details
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 20, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Summary
AI-generated comprehensive summary with legal analysis
Case Overview
In Re Paige Mycoskie v. the State of Texas is a significant case decided by the Court of Appeals of Texas on June 20, 2025. The case revolves around a petition for writ of mandamus filed by relator Paige Mycoskie against the trial court's order that granted Johnson-Power Construction, Inc.'s motion to compel discovery and impose sanctions.
Key Legal Issues
The primary legal issues in this case include:
- The sufficiency of the mandamus record provided by the relator.
- Compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 52.7 regarding the submission of relevant transcripts and evidence.
- The burden of proof on the relator to establish the right to mandamus relief.
Court's Decision
The Court of Appeals denied the petition for writ of mandamus, highlighting the relator's failure to provide a sufficient record to support her claims. The court emphasized that without a complete record, it could not make an informed decision regarding the merits of the petition.
Legal Reasoning
The court's reasoning centered on the following points:
- Inadequate Record: The relator did not submit a mandamus record, which is essential for the court to assess the validity of the claims made in the petition. Instead, she only provided an appendix, which does not meet the requirements set forth in Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 52.7(a)(1).
- Burden of Proof: The court reiterated that it is the relator's responsibility to provide a complete and adequate record to establish her right to relief. Citing Walker v. Packer, the court noted that an incomplete record prevents the court from making a sound decision.
Key Holdings
- The petition for writ of mandamus was denied due to the lack of a sufficient record.
- The relator's motion for emergency relief was also denied.
- The court allowed for the possibility of refiling the petition in the future, provided that a complete record is submitted.
Precedents and Citations
The court referenced several important precedents in its decision:
- In re Pentland, No. 03-22-00717-CV, 2023 WL 307476 (Tex. App.—Austin Jan. 19, 2023)
- Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833 (Tex. 1992)
- In re Le, 335 S.W.3d 808 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2011)
- In re Smith, No. 03-14-00478-CV, 2014 WL 4079922 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 13, 2014)
Practical Implications
This case serves as a critical reminder for legal practitioners regarding the importance of adhering to procedural rules when seeking extraordinary relief through mandamus. Key takeaways include:
- Compliance with Procedural Rules: Attorneys must ensure that all necessary documentation, including transcripts and evidence, is included in their filings to avoid dismissal of their petitions.
- Understanding Burden of Proof: It is essential for relators to understand their burden in mandamus proceedings and prepare a comprehensive record to support their claims.
- Potential for Refiling: The court's allowance for future refiling provides an opportunity for relators to correct procedural deficiencies, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation in legal proceedings.
This case highlights the procedural rigor required in Texas appellate practice and serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking mandamus relief without a complete record.
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Case Details
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 20, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools