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Herminia Lopez v. State

Citation: Not availableDocket: 04-02-00415-CR

Court: Court of Appeals of Texas; August 30, 2002; Texas; State Appellate Court

Original Court Document: View Document

Narrative Opinion Summary

Herminia Lopez was found guilty and sentenced in two cases on August 13, 2001. Her previous appeals were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction on November 8, 2001. On June 7, 2002, Lopez filed a motion for "shock" probation to suspend the execution of her sentences, which the trial court denied on June 10, 2002. She filed notices of appeal on May 23, 2002. The court concluded that the judgments against Lopez were final and unappealable, and it lacked jurisdiction to review the denial of her "shock probation" motions, referencing the case of Zepeda v. State. Lopez did not respond to the court's order to show cause regarding the jurisdiction issue. Consequently, the court dismissed the appeals for lack of jurisdiction.

Legal Issues Addressed

Denial of Shock Probation

Application: The trial court's decision to deny Lopez's motion for 'shock' probation was deemed non-reviewable due to the finality of the judgments.

Reasoning: On June 7, 2002, Lopez filed a motion for 'shock' probation to suspend the execution of her sentences, which the trial court denied on June 10, 2002.

Finality of Judgments

Application: The court determined that once a judgment is final, it is not subject to appeal, which applied to Lopez's case as her judgments were considered final.

Reasoning: The court concluded that the judgments against Lopez were final and unappealable, and it lacked jurisdiction to review the denial of her 'shock probation' motions.

Jurisdiction in Appeals

Application: The court emphasized its lack of jurisdiction to entertain appeals when the judgments are final, leading to the dismissal of Lopez's appeals.

Reasoning: Consequently, the court dismissed the appeals for lack of jurisdiction.

Procedural Requirement for Appeals

Application: Lopez's failure to respond to the order to show cause on jurisdiction resulted in the dismissal of her appeals.

Reasoning: Lopez did not respond to the court's order to show cause regarding the jurisdiction issue.