Michael Dewayne McCollister v. the State of Texas ( 2021 )


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  •                                  NO. 12-20-00048-CR
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
    TYLER, TEXAS
    MICHAEL DEWAYNE                                §      APPEAL FROM THE 241ST
    MCCOLLISTER,
    APPELLANT
    V.                                             §      JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    APPELLEE                                       §      SMITH COUNTY, TEXAS
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    Michael Dewayne McCollister appeals the trial court’s assessment of costs following his
    conviction for aggravated sexual assault. In one issue, Appellant argues that the trial court
    improperly assessed costs for the “county specialty court account” and the “courthouse security
    fund.” We modify and affirm as modified.
    BACKGROUND
    Appellant was charged by indictment with aggravated sexual assault and pleaded “not
    guilty.” The matter proceeded to a jury trial. Ultimately, the jury found Appellant “guilty” as
    charged and assessed his punishment at imprisonment for thirty years. The trial court sentenced
    Appellant accordingly, and this appeal followed.
    COURT COSTS
    In his sole issue, Appellant argues that the trial court improperly assessed costs for the
    “county specialty court account” and the “courthouse security fund.” The State concedes that
    these fees were assessed erroneously and, further, acknowledges that all applicable fees
    authorized under the “Local Consolidated Fee on Conviction of Felony” should not have been
    assessed. We agree.
    The commission date of the offense for which Appellant was convicted is April 28, 2019.
    The Local Consolidated Fee on Conviction of Felony applies only to defendants who are
    convicted of offenses committed on or after January 1, 2020.         See Hayes v. State, No.
    12˗20˗00222-CR, 
    2021 WL 1418400
    , at *2 (Tex. App.–Tyler Apr. 14, 2021, no pet. h.) (mem.
    op., not designated for publication) (citing TEX. LOC. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 134.101 (West Supp.
    2020)). Section 134.101 assesses an additional $105 fee for a person who is convicted of a
    felony. See TEX. LOC. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 134.101(a). That fee is to be allocated to the
    following specific accounts and funds: the clerk of the court account, the county records
    management and preservation fund, the county jury fund, the courthouse security fund, the
    county and district court technology fund, and the county specialty court account. See
    id. § 134.101(b). In
    the instant case, the judgment reflects that the trial court assessed $601.50 in court
    costs. The judgment includes a document identified as “Attachment A Order to Withdraw
    Funds,” which states that Appellant has incurred “[c]ourt costs, fees and/or fines and/or
    restitution” in the amount of $601.50. The certified bill of costs includes the following costs
    assessed pursuant to Section 134.101: $40.00 Clerk of the Court; $4.00 County and District
    Court Technology Fund; $1.00 County Jury Fund; $25.00 County Records Management and
    Preservation; $25.00 County Specialty Court Account; and $10.00 Courthouse Security Fund.
    See
    id. The sum of
    these costs is $105.00. Because the offense in this case was committed
    before January 1, 2020, Appellant is not obligated to pay the “Local Consolidated Fee on
    Conviction of Felony.” See Hayes, 
    2021 WL 1418400
    , at *2. Accordingly, we will modify the
    trial court’s judgment and Order to Withdraw to reflect the removal of these fees. See TEX. R.
    APP. P. 43.2(b); Reyes v. State, 
    324 S.W.3d 865
    , 868 (Tex. App.–Amarillo 2010, no pet.).
    Appellant’s sole issue is sustained.
    CONCLUSION
    Having sustained Appellant’s sole issue, we modify the trial court’s judgment to reflect
    that the amount of court costs is $496.50. We also modify Attachment A Order to Withdraw
    Funds to state that the total amount of “court costs, fees and/or fines and/or restitution” is
    $496.50. We affirm the trial court’s judgment as modified.
    2
    GREG NEELEY
    Justice
    Opinion delivered May 12, 2021.
    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.
    (DO NOT PUBLISH)
    3
    COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
    JUDGMENT
    MAY 12, 2021
    NO. 12-20-00048-CR
    MICHAEL DEWAYNE MCCOLLISTER,
    Appellant
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    Appellee
    Appeal from the 241st District Court
    of Smith County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 241-1056-19)
    THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and the briefs filed
    herein, and the same being considered, because it is the opinion of this court that the judgment of
    the court below should be modified and as modified, affirmed.
    It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment
    of the court below be modified to reflect that the amount of court costs is $496.50. We also
    modify Attachment A Order to Withdraw Funds to state that the total amount of “court costs,
    fees and/or fines and/or restitution” is $496.50; in all other respects the judgment of the trial
    court is affirmed; and that this decision be certified to the court below for observance.
    Greg Neeley, Justice.
    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 12-20-00048-CR

Filed Date: 5/12/2021

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 5/17/2021