In Re Rita Elizabeth Jones, Individually and on Behalf of the Estate of Estela Tibuni Romano, A/K/ Estella Tibuni Romano, Stella Tibuni Romano v. the State of Texas
Court
Court of Appeals of Texas
Decided
June 17, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
44%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
COURT OF APPEALS EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS EL PASO, TEXAS IN RE § 08-25-00148-CV RITA ELIZABETH JONES, § AN ORIGINAL PROCEEDING INDIVIDUALLY and ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF ESTELA TIBUNI § IN MANDAMUS ROMANO, DECEASED, A/K/ ESTELLA TIBUNI ROMANO, STELLA TIBUNI § ROMANO § Relator. MEMORANDUM OPINION Relator Elizabeth Rita Jones 1 has filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of this original proceeding. See Tex. R. App. P. 42.1(a)(1) (governing voluntary dismissals). The motion is granted, and this original proceeding is dismissed. The temporary administrative stay issued on May 21, 2025 is lifted and all pending motions are denied as moot. Further, we deny the request made by the Real Party in Interest for sanctions pursuant to Tex. R. App. P. 52.11. Court costs are assessed against Relator. See Tex. R. App. P. 42.1(d) (court to tax costs against relator absent agreement of the parties). MARIA SALAS MENDOZA, Chief Justice June 17, 2025 Before Salas Mendoza, C.J., Palafox, J., and Rodriguez, C.J. (Ret) Rodriguez, C.J. (Ret.) (Sitting by Assignment) 1 Individually and on behalf of the Estate of Estela Tibuni Romano, Deceased, a/k/ Estella Tibuni Romano, Stella Tibuni Romano.
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 17, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Overview
Case Name: In Re Rita Elizabeth Jones, Individually and on Behalf of the Estate of Estela Tibuni Romano, A/K/A Estella Tibuni Romano, Stella Tibuni Romano v. the State of Texas
Citation: Unknown
Court: Court of Appeals of Texas (Federal)
Date: June 17, 2025
Jurisdiction: San Antonio (SA)
This case involves a voluntary dismissal motion filed by Rita Elizabeth Jones on behalf of the estate of Estela Tibuni Romano, deceased. The Court of Appeals of Texas addressed this original proceeding in mandamus, ultimately granting the motion for dismissal.
Key Legal Issues
- Voluntary Dismissal under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 42.1(a)(1)
- Sanctions request by the Real Party in Interest under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 52.11
- Assessment of court costs against the relator
Court's Decision
The Court granted the motion for voluntary dismissal, resulting in the following outcomes:
- The original proceeding was dismissed.
- The temporary administrative stay issued on May 21, 2025, was lifted.
- All pending motions were declared moot.
- The request for sanctions was denied.
- Court costs were assessed against the relator, Rita Elizabeth Jones.
Legal Reasoning
The Court's decision was based on the provisions outlined in the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The relator's motion for voluntary dismissal was in accordance with Tex. R. App. P. 42.1(a)(1), which allows a party to dismiss an appeal or original proceeding without the need for a court's permission. The Court emphasized the procedural adherence to the rules governing voluntary dismissals and the implications of such actions on pending motions and costs.
Key Holdings
- Voluntary Dismissal Granted: The Court accepted the relator's motion for voluntary dismissal, effectively terminating the proceeding.
- Sanctions Denied: The request for sanctions from the Real Party in Interest was denied, indicating the Court's discretion in sanctioning parties in appellate matters.
- Costs Assessed: The Court ruled that court costs would be taxed against the relator, reinforcing the principle that the losing party typically bears the costs of litigation.
Precedents and Citations
- Tex. R. App. P. 42.1(a)(1) - Governs voluntary dismissals in Texas appellate courts.
- Tex. R. App. P. 52.11 - Addresses the imposition of sanctions in appellate proceedings.
- Tex. R. App. P. 42.1(d) - Pertains to the taxation of costs against the relator in cases of voluntary dismissal.
Practical Implications
This case highlights several important aspects of Texas appellate procedure:
- Understanding Voluntary Dismissals: Legal practitioners must be aware of the procedural rules that allow for voluntary dismissals and their implications on ongoing litigation.
- Sanctions in Appellate Courts: The denial of sanctions emphasizes the Court's cautious approach in penalizing parties, which can influence future litigation strategies.
- Cost Assessment: The ruling on court costs serves as a reminder for parties to consider the financial implications of their legal actions, especially in voluntary dismissals.
In conclusion, the Court of Appeals of Texas effectively navigated the procedural landscape surrounding voluntary dismissals, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established appellate rules while also clarifying the consequences of such dismissals on costs and sanctions.
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 17, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools