in Re Demarcus Steadman, Relator ( 2010 )

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MEMORANDUM OPINION
No. 04-10-00502-CR
IN RE Demarcus STEADMAN
Original Mandamus Proceeding1
PER CURIAM
Sitting: Karen Angelini, Justice
Phylis J. Speedlin, Justice
Marialyn Barnard, Justice
Delivered and Filed: July 21, 2010
PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS DENIED
On July 7, 2010, relator Demarcus Steadman filed a petition for writ of mandamus,
complaining of the trial court’s failure to rule on his pro se motion to dismiss his appointed counsel.
However, in order to obtain a writ of mandamus compelling the trial court to consider and
rule on a motion, a relator must establish that the trial court: (1) had a legal duty to perform a non-
discretionary act; (2) was asked to perform the act; and (3) failed or refused to do so. In re Molina,
94 S.W.3d 885, 886 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003, orig. proceeding) (per curiam). When a
properly filed motion is pending before a trial court, the act of giving consideration to and ruling
upon that motion is ministerial, and mandamus may issue to compel the trial judge to act. See
… This proceeding arises out of Cause No. 2009-CR-7043B, styled State of Texas v. Demarcus Steadman,
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in the 227th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas, the Honorable Philip Kazen presiding.
04-10-00502-CR
Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Garcia, 945 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997, orig.
proceeding). However, mandamus will not issue unless the record shows that a properly filed
motion has awaited disposition for an unreasonable amount of time. See id. It is relator’s burden
to provide this court with a record sufficient to establish his right to relief. Walker v. Packer, 827
S.W.2d 833, 837 (Tex. 1992); TEX . R. APP . P. 52.3(k), 52.7(a).
The record before us fails to establish relator is entitled to the relief requested. Relator
indicates he filed his pro se motion to dismiss his appointed counsel on July 4, 2010, just three days
prior to filing this petition for writ of mandamus. A trial court has a reasonable time within which
to perform its ministerial duty. See Safety-Kleen, 945 S.W.2d at 269. Relator has not established
the motion has awaited disposition for an unreasonable amount of time.
Because relator has not met his burden of providing a record establishing that a motion was
properly filed and has awaited disposition for an unreasonable amount of time, he has not provided
this court with grounds to usurp the trial court’s inherent authority to control its own docket. See
In re Mendoza, 131 S.W.3d 167, 168 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004, orig. proceeding).
Accordingly, relator’s petition for writ of mandamus is denied. TEX . R. APP . P. 52.8(a).
PER CURIAM
DO NOT PUBLISH
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