The State of Texas v. Terry Neal Hanna, Jr.
Court
Court of Appeals of Texas
Decided
June 26, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Importance
44%
Practice Areas
Case Summary
Court of Appeals Tenth Appellate District of Texas 10-25-00116-CR The State of Texas, Appellant v. Terry Neal Hanna, Jr., Appellee On appeal from the 13th District Court of Navarro County, Texas Judge James E. Lagomarsino, presiding Trial Court Cause No. D41552-CR CHIEF JUSTICE JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the Court. MEMORANDUM OPINION The State appealed from the trial court’s “Order on Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Based on Prosecutorial Vindictiveness” signed by the trial court on May 1, 2025. The trial court’s order dismissed the indictment against Hanna, Jr. with prejudice to refiling. The State has filed a “State’s Notice for Non-Suit with Prejudice” with this Court on June 18, 2025, which we will construe as a voluntary motion to dismiss the appeal. See TEX. R. APP. P. 42.2(a). Accordingly, the State’s motion to voluntarily dismiss the appeal is granted, and this appeal is dismissed with prejudice. Id. MATT JOHNSON Chief Justice OPINION DELIVERED and FILED: June 26, 2025 Before Chief Justice Johnson, Justice Smith, and Justice Harris Appeal dismissed Do not publish CR25 State v. Hanna, Jr. Page 2
Case Details
Case Details
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Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 26, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
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Case Overview
Case Name: The State of Texas v. Terry Neal Hanna, Jr.
Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
Date: June 26, 2025
Jurisdiction: SA
Trial Court: 13th District Court of Navarro County, Texas
Judge: James E. Lagomarsino
In this case, the State of Texas appealed a trial court order that dismissed an indictment against Terry Neal Hanna, Jr. The dismissal was based on the grounds of prosecutorial vindictiveness, a significant legal principle that protects defendants from retaliatory actions by the prosecution.
Key Legal Issues
- Prosecutorial Vindictiveness: The core issue revolves around whether the prosecution acted vindictively in pursuing charges against Hanna, Jr.
- Dismissal with Prejudice: The trial court's decision to dismiss the indictment with prejudice prevents the State from refiling the charges.
Court's Decision
The Court of Appeals granted the State's motion for a voluntary dismissal of the appeal. The order was issued on June 26, 2025, following the State's notice for non-suit with prejudice filed on June 18, 2025. The appeal was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the State cannot pursue the appeal further.
Legal Reasoning
Chief Justice Matt Johnson delivered the opinion of the Court, emphasizing the procedural aspects of the appeal. The court noted that the State's filing of a notice for non-suit with prejudice constituted a voluntary motion to dismiss the appeal, which is permissible under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 42.2(a).
The trial court had previously dismissed the indictment against Hanna, Jr. due to concerns regarding prosecutorial conduct, which the appellate court recognized as a valid basis for the trial court's ruling.
Key Holdings
- The trial court's dismissal of the indictment against Terry Neal Hanna, Jr. was upheld.
- The State's appeal was dismissed with prejudice, preventing any further action on the indictment.
- The court acknowledged the procedural validity of the State's motion for non-suit with prejudice.
Precedents and Citations
- TEX. R. APP. P. 42.2(a): This rule allows for voluntary dismissal of appeals under certain conditions.
- Prosecutorial Vindictiveness Cases: The court's decision aligns with previous rulings that protect defendants from retaliatory prosecution.
Practical Implications
- This case underscores the importance of prosecutorial conduct in the judicial process and the potential consequences of vindictive actions.
- The dismissal with prejudice serves as a protective measure for defendants, ensuring that they are not subjected to repeated prosecutions based on questionable motives.
- Legal practitioners should take note of the procedural rules regarding voluntary dismissals, as they play a crucial role in appellate practice.
In summary, the Court of Appeals of Texas upheld the trial court's dismissal of the indictment against Terry Neal Hanna, Jr., emphasizing the significance of prosecutorial integrity and the procedural avenues available for dismissing appeals.
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Case Details
Legal case information
Status
Decided
Date Decided
June 26, 2025
Jurisdiction
SA
Court Type
federal
Legal Significance
Case importance metrics
Metadata
Additional information
Quick Actions
Case management tools