Charity Irvin v. State ( 2021 )


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  •                                   NO. 12-19-00347-CR
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
    TYLER, TEXAS
    CHARITY IRVIN,                                   §      APPEAL FROM THE 114TH
    APPELLANT
    V.                                               §      JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    APPELLEE                                         §      SMITH COUNTY, TEXAS
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    Charity Irvin appeals her conviction for possession of less than one gram of
    methamphetamine. In three issues, Appellant argues that the evidence is insufficient to support
    the trial court’s judgment, the trial court erred by empaneling a jury in which one juror
    purportedly could not understand the English language, and the trial court improperly assessed a
    “time payment” fee in its judgment. We modify and affirm as modified.
    BACKGROUND
    Appellant was charged by indictment with possession of less than one gram of
    methamphetamine and pleaded “not guilty.” The matter proceeded to a jury trial. At the trial’s
    conclusion, the jury found Appellant “guilty” as charged. Following a trial on punishment, the
    jury assessed Appellant’s punishment at imprisonment for twenty-four months. The trial court
    sentenced Appellant accordingly, and this appeal followed.
    EVIDENTIARY SUFFICIENCY
    In her first issue, Appellant argues that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the
    trial court’s judgment.
    Standard of Review
    The Jackson v. Virginia 1 legal sufficiency standard is the only standard that a reviewing
    court should apply in determining whether the evidence is sufficient to support each element of a
    criminal offense that the state is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. See Brooks v.
    State, 
    323 S.W.3d 893
    , 895 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). Legal sufficiency is the constitutional
    minimum required by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to sustain a
    criminal conviction. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 315–16, 99 S. Ct. at 2786–87; see also Escobedo
    v. State, 
    6 S.W.3d 1
    , 6 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 1999, pet. ref’d). The standard for reviewing a
    legal sufficiency challenge is whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
    elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 320, 99 S. Ct. at
    2789; see also Johnson v. State, 
    871 S.W.2d 183
    , 186 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). The evidence is
    examined in the light most favorable to the verdict. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 320, 99 S. Ct. at
    2789; Johnson, 
    871 S.W.2d at 186
    . A jury is free to believe all or any part of a witness’s
    testimony or disbelieve all or any part of that testimony. See Lee v. State, 
    176 S.W.3d 452
    , 458
    (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2004), aff’d, 
    206 S.W.3d 620
     (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). A
    successful legal sufficiency challenge will result in rendition of an acquittal by the reviewing
    court. See Tibbs v. Florida, 
    457 U.S. 31
    , 41–42, 
    102 S. Ct. 2211
    , 2217–18, 
    72 L. Ed. 2d 652
    (1982).
    Circumstantial evidence is as probative as direct evidence in establishing guilt, and
    circumstantial evidence alone can be sufficient to establish guilt. Rodriguez v. State, 
    521 S.W.3d 822
    , 827 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2017, no pet.) (citing Sorrells v. State, 
    343 S.W.3d 152
    , 155 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011)). Each fact need not point directly and independently
    to the guilt of the appellant, provided that the cumulative force of all the incriminating
    circumstances is sufficient to support the conviction. See Hooper v. State, 
    214 S.W.3d 9
    , 13
    (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Juries are permitted to draw multiple reasonable inferences so long as
    each inference is supported by the evidence presented at trial. 
    Id. at 15
    . Juries are not permitted
    to reach conclusions based on mere speculation or factually unsupported inferences or
    presumptions. 
    Id.
     An inference is a conclusion reached by considering other facts and deducing
    a logical consequence from them, while speculation is mere theorizing or guessing about the
    possible meaning of facts and evidence presented. 
    Id. at 16
    .
    1
    
    443 U.S. 307
    , 315–16, 
    99 S. Ct. 2781
    , 2786–87, 
    61 L. Ed. 2d 560
     (1979).
    2
    The sufficiency of the evidence is measured against the offense as defined by a
    hypothetically correct jury charge. See Malik v. State, 
    953 S.W.2d 234
    , 240 (Tex. Crim. App.
    1997). Such a charge would include one that “accurately sets out the law, is authorized by the
    indictment, does not unnecessarily increase the State’s burden of proof or unnecessarily restrict
    the State’s theories of liability, and adequately describes the particular offense for which the
    defendant is tried.” 
    Id.
    Discussion
    To support Appellant’s conviction for possession of methamphetamine, the State was
    required to prove that she (1) exercised control, management, or care over the substance and
    (2) knew the matter possessed was contraband. See Poindexter v. State, 
    153 S.W.3d 402
    , 405
    (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); see also TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 481.102(6) (West
    Supp. 2019), 481.115(a), (b) (West 2017). A person acts knowingly, or with knowledge, with
    respect to the nature of her conduct or to circumstances surrounding her conduct when she is
    aware of the nature of her conduct or that such circumstances exist. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN.
    § 6.03(b) (West 2011). The State must establish, to the requisite level of confidence, that the
    accused’s connection with the drug was more than just fortuitous. Poindexter, 
    153 S.W.3d at 406
    . When the accused is not in exclusive possession of the place where the substance is found,
    we cannot conclude that she had knowledge of and control over the contraband unless there are
    additional independent facts and circumstances which link the accused to the contraband. 
    Id.
    Links that may circumstantially establish the sufficiency of the evidence to prove that a
    defendant had knowing “possession” of contraband include the following: (1) the defendant’s
    presence when a search is conducted; (2) whether the contraband was in plain view; (3) the
    defendant’s proximity to and the accessibility of the narcotic; (4) whether the defendant was
    under the influence of narcotics when arrested; (5) whether the defendant possessed other
    contraband or narcotics when arrested; (6) whether the defendant made incriminating statements
    when arrested; (7) whether the defendant attempted to flee; (8) whether the defendant made
    furtive gestures; (9) whether there was an odor of contraband; (10) whether other contraband or
    drug paraphernalia were present; (11) whether the defendant owned or had the right to possess
    the place where the drugs were found; (12) whether the place where the drugs were found was
    enclosed; (13) whether the defendant was found with a large amount of cash; and (14) whether
    the conduct of the defendant indicated a consciousness of guilt. See Evans v. State, 
    202 S.W.3d
                                    3
    158, 162 n.12 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). It is not the number of links that is dispositive, but rather
    the logical force of all of the evidence, both direct and circumstantial. 
    Id.
     Ultimately, the
    question of whether the evidence is sufficient to link the appellant to the contraband must be
    answered on a case by case basis. See Whitworth v. State, 
    808 S.W.2d 566
    , 569 (Tex. App.–
    Austin 1991, pet. ref’d).
    In the instant case, Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Londoff testified that on May
    20, 2018, he initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driving in the southwest portion of Smith
    County, Texas based on the driver’s failure to display a registration sticker or a front license
    plate. Londoff made contact with the driver and Appellant, the passenger. During this time,
    Londoff asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle, which she gave him. Londoff stated
    that while he searched the passenger side interior of the vehicle, he discovered several handbags.
    According to Londoff, Appellant told him prior to his search of the vehicle that these handbags
    belonged to her. Londoff testified that in one of these handbags, he discovered a cut, red straw
    in which there was a “real fine . . . powder-like substance.” Londoff further testified that he told
    Appellant that the substance he observed in the red straw appeared to be cocaine, to which
    Appellant responded, “It’s not cocaine, it’s meth[.]” Londoff’s body camera video depicting his
    interaction between Appellant and the vehicle’s driver and his search of the vehicle was admitted
    into evidence. Tyler Crime Lab Forensic Scientist Karen Collins testified that the substance
    Londoff discovered in the red straw was methamphetamine, which weighed 0.01 grams.
    We next consider whether the evidence links Appellant to the contraband.                 See
    Poindexter, 
    153 S.W.3d at 406
    . We begin by noting that Appellant was not under the influence
    of narcotics, nor did she possess other contraband or narcotics when arrested. She did not
    attempt to flee and made no furtive gestures. There was no evidence that Londoff detected the
    odor of contraband, nor was other contraband or drug paraphernalia located during his search of
    the vehicle. Further, it is undisputed that Appellant did not own or have the right to possess the
    vehicle in question and did not possess a large amount of cash at the time of her arrest.
    On the other hand, Appellant was present when Londoff conducted his search of the
    vehicle. And while the contraband was not in plain view and the handbag where the contraband
    was found amounted to an enclosed space, Appellant told Londoff before he commenced his
    search that the handbags on the passenger’s side floorboard belonged to her. Furthermore, the
    straw containing the methamphetamine was discovered in a handbag in the passenger’s side
    4
    footwell in front of Appellant’s seated position and, thus, was accessible by Appellant.
    Moreover, Appellant made an incriminating statement, which also indicated her consciousness of
    guilt, when she corrected Londoff’s statement that the substance in the straw was cocaine by
    informing him that it was, in fact, methamphetamine.
    Appellant argues that the evidence supports only a conclusion that she merely was in the
    presence of contraband, which does not amount to evidence of possession. But in making this
    argument, Appellant wholly ignores and omits any reference to the evidence that she (1) stated to
    Londoff that she owned the handbag in which the contraband was discovered and
    (2) demonstrated knowledge of what the contraband was when she corrected Londoff’s statement
    that he believed the substance to be cocaine. 2
    Having examined the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude that
    the jury reasonably could have determined beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant exercised
    control, management, or care over the methamphetamine at issue, which she knew to be
    contraband. See 
    id. at 405
    . Therefore, we hold that the evidence is legally sufficient to support
    the trial court’s judgment. Appellant’s first issue is overruled.
    JUROR QUALIFICATION
    In her second issue, Appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion by
    proceeding to trial over her objection and motion to disqualify a newly sworn and empaneled
    juror, who advised the court of her concerns about being able to communicate in English.
    Appellant contends that the trial court’s abuse of discretion resulted in her being tried by an
    eleven-member jury in violation of her constitutional rights.
    Standard of Review and Governing Law
    The determination as to whether a juror is disabled is within the discretion of the trial
    court. Brooks v. State, 
    990 S.W.2d 278
    , 286 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Absent an abuse of that
    discretion, no reversible error will be found. 
    Id.
     A trial court does not abuse its discretion if its
    ruling falls within the “zone of reasonable disagreement.” Montgomery v. State, 
    810 S.W.2d 372
    , 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). We review with considerable deference because the trial
    2
    See In re Lerma, 
    144 S.W.3d 21
    , 27 (Tex. App.–El Paso 2004) (orig. proceeding) (discussing attorney’s
    duty regarding portrayal of record on appeal).
    5
    judge is in the best position to evaluate a veniremember’s demeanor and responses. Cf. Gardner
    v. State, 
    306 S.W.3d 274
    , 295–96 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
    Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 35.16(a)(11) requires that a prospective juror
    have more than a very limited ability to read and write. TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
    35.16(a)(11) (West 2006). Mere ability to read or write one’s own name will not suffice. Hodge
    v. State, 
    896 S.W.2d 340
    , 343 (Tex. App.–Amarillo 1995, pet. ref’d).                             The requirement
    contemplates that the juror shall be able to express her ideas in writing. 
    Id.
     Encompassed within
    Article 35.16(a)(11) is that a juror may be challenged based on her inability to understand
    English. See Stillwell v. State, 
    466 S.W.3d 908
    , 912 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2015, no pet.).
    Discussion
    In the instant case, after the jury was empaneled and sworn, a juror brought her concerns
    over her ability to communicate in English with others to the court’s attention, and the following
    exchange took place:
    Judge, I’m so glad that - - you know in the Philippines, our English language is our
    second language.
    ....
    And I - - I understand in English. But when he talks about 100 percent, you know it’s
    just like I don’t really get it. I mean, I’m just, oh, Lord. I’m kind of nervous. Oh, my goodness,
    why are they going to pick me . . . .
    Thereafter, the following discussion was undertaken among the trial court, trial counsel, and the
    juror:
    The Court: Did you think about bringing that up before the Court called your name as a
    juror? Like when we were asking the questions and everything, did you think about saying, “You
    know what, I’m not sure I speak English well enough to be on the jury”?
    Juror: I’m sorry, Judge, I supposed to -- I supposed to get up and say something -- say
    something about that.
    The Court: Well, when you were downstairs, they offered you a chance to be excused
    because you don’t read, write, or understand English well enough. Did you not understand that?
    Juror: I understand it. But it’s kind of too late for me --
    The Court: It’s what for you?
    [Juror]: It’s kind of too late for me to say that because I thought they were talking about
    those health issues. But then I said, oh, my gosh, why I didn’t, you know.
    6
    The Court: Well, you’ve understood everything I’ve said, right?
    Juror: Yes.
    The Court: Did you understand the questioning from Ms. Anderson?
    Juror: I understand.
    The Court: Did you answer the questions truthfully with Ms. Anderson?
    Juror: Yes.
    The Court: Did you understand Mr. Adams’[s] questions?
    Juror: Yes.
    The Court: Did you answer those questions truthfully?
    Juror: Yes.
    The Court: Are you understanding what I’m saying?
    Juror: I understand.
    The Court: And are you -- what makes you think you’re not going to be able to
    understand?
    Juror: Maybe if there is a questions come up, but I don’t really, you know, understand,
    you know. And I don’t know how I say it and I don’t know how to answer it.
    The Court: Any questions from the State?
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: Ma’am, you said you grew up in the Philippines?
    Juror: Yes.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: And English is your second language?
    Juror: Yes.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: And when you were growing up in the Philippines, did you learn
    English -- did they teach English in school in the Philippines?
    Juror: Yes.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: How long have you at least been familiar with the English --
    English language?
    Juror: From -- from since when I was elementary up through college.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: Okay. You’re specifically worried about that -- and maybe I
    misunderstood you -- that if something happens during the trial that you -- you don’t fully
    understand, you won’t be able to ask anyone or know how to ask about whatever it was that you
    didn’t understand?
    7
    Juror: I mean, when -- when I answer the question and I don’t know if -- if -- example, if
    you understand the way I answer your question.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: Okay. So are you more concerned with whether or not someone
    can understand you or whether or not you can understand the speaker?
    Juror: Someone if -- can understand me.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: Okay.
    Juror: Kind of understand.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: Because it sounds like you understand and you speak English
    pretty well.
    Juror: I’m just trying.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: You -- and what I mean by that is, it seems to me that we are --
    we are able to communicate with one another --
    Juror: (Nods head affirmatively).
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: -- and understand each other. Would you agree with that?
    Juror: I agree with that.
    [Prosecuting Attorney]: I don’t have any further questions, Your Honor. I --
    The Court: Mr. Adams, --
    ....
    -- do you have any questions?
    [Defense Counsel]: Ma’am, are you worried about not being able to understand things
    that are said during a trial that have to do with legal terms?
    JUROR: Yes.
    [Defense Counsel]: Okay. Do you have any idea what that might be?
    Juror: What idea you’re talking about? What idea are you talking about? I mean . . . [.]
    [Defense Counsel]: Well, I guess, if there’s -- if there’s a -- if there’s a legal term that
    might come up during the trial that you wouldn’t be familiar with, then you wouldn’t know what it
    is, right?
    Juror: Yes.
    [Defense Counsel]: Okay.
    Thereafter, the trial court and the juror had the following discussion:
    The Court: [Y]ou seem like you understand everything I’m saying to you.
    8
    Juror: (Nods head affirmatively.)
    The Court: Yes?
    Juror: Yes.
    The Court: And I’m not sure what you’re afraid you are not going to understand. I
    understand you think your speaking might not be understood as well, but you certainly can make
    yourself understood. In a jury deliberation context is the only time you would be speaking, and
    you could certainly explain to the jurors with other words. You wouldn’t be required to speak in
    an open courtroom about things. So the only part I would have -- be concerned about is if you
    wouldn’t understand things that are discussed in the evidence. But that’s just average people
    coming in and saying what they saw and what they did. They’re really not a lot of -- I’m trying to
    think if there are any legal terms usually in, you know, evidence presentation. And maybe, but I
    don’t know. Is that what you’re concerned about? I don’t understand exactly what you’re
    concerned about not getting. I’m not understanding.
    Juror: I said a while ago if I’m -- if I am answering the question, if I don’t say it right.
    The Court: Well, right. But that’s what I’m saying. You won’t be doing any talking.
    Juror: Okay.
    The Court: That’s what I’m trying to understand. If it’s your speaking to me or to other
    people or us speaking to you. If it’s us -- are you concerned about not understanding things that
    people tell you or that you hear? Are you concerned about that?
    Juror: Yes.
    The Court: Okay. So what kind of things are you concerned about that you won’t
    understand?
    Juror: Just like -- just like when we -- you know, the presentation a while ago, you know,
    there are -- there are questions that I don’t really get it.
    The Court: Okay. Okay. Your primary concern is expressing your thoughts in English,
    but you do have some concerns also about understanding what is spoken in your presence?
    Juror: Yes, Judge.
    The juror then explained to the trial court that she attended elementary and secondary schools as
    well as college in the Philippines and that the classes were taught in English. She further related
    to the trial court that she completed her juror questionnaire on her own and works as a preschool
    teacher where she reads to children.
    In Hodge v. State, the court reviewed a trial court’s denial of a motion for mistrial based
    on a juror’s expression to the trial court during deliberations about his difficulty understanding
    English. See 896 S.W.2d at 341. The trial court, trial counsel, and the juror met in chambers to
    discuss the juror’s qualifications to serve. Id. During this meeting, the juror clearly answered
    questions about his length of residence in the county, the entity which employed him, the nature
    9
    of his work, facts about his family, and facts about living in Texas and Mexico. See id. He
    acknowledged that he completed his juror questionnaire, and he had no difficulty in answering
    any questions from the judge in the first three pages. Id. But he expressed that he had
    difficulties communicating in long conversations and that he is unable to make his point,
    admitted that he did not have a clear picture of what “they” tried to say, and acknowledged that
    he did not understand some of the words used. Id. He stated that although he went to the twelfth
    grade in La Paz, Chihuahua, Mexico, he did not take English in school but learned it from
    conversations. Id. Lastly, the juror admitted that although he had been a citizen of the United
    States for the preceding three years, he had “a problem with speaking [and] writing English
    clearly.” Id. at 342. Following this discussion, the trial court denied the appellant’s motion for
    mistrial. Id.
    In concluding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in finding the juror to be
    qualified to serve, the court of appeals reasoned that the juror exhibited a greater command of the
    English language than merely writing his name and reading on a fourth grade level. Id. at 343
    (citing cf. Johnson v. State, 
    773 S.W.2d 322
    , 331–32 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989) (upholding
    disqualification of venireperson when she had only a fourth-grade education and the juror
    questionnaire contained words she did not understand); Allridge v. State, 
    762 S.W.2d 146
    , 164–
    65 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988) (upholding determination of disqualification where venireperson
    volunteered, “I don’t know how to read or write too well,” did not fill out his jury questionnaire
    “because I don’t know how to write,” and only had gone to the fourth grade and had no other
    English training)).   The court further noted that the juror was able, without assistance, to
    complete the juror questionnaire. See Hodge, 896 S.W.2d at 343 (citing cf. Montoya v. State,
    
    810 S.W.2d 160
    , 169–70 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989) (no reversible error where venireperson
    excused because he needed the assistance of interpreter and testified he had limited
    understanding of English and became confused when the prosecutor attempted to explain the
    procedures); Goodwin v. State, 
    799 S.W.2d 719
    , 735–36 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (evidence
    sufficient to sustain a challenge where venireperson had to have help in filling out questionnaire
    because she could not write)).      Lastly, the court emphasized that the juror was able to
    communicate verbally and answer questions propounded to him by the trial judge. See Hodge,
    896 S.W.2d at 343. And although it acknowledged that the juror expressed some difficulty in
    10
    communicating with large words or for long periods of time, it determined that these matters
    standing alone are not sufficient to establish disqualification as a matter of law. See id. at 343.
    In this case, the juror communicated at length in English with the trial court, and it later
    was determined that she completed her elementary, secondary, and college education in the
    Philippines in classes taught in English. The juror further confirmed that she understood what
    was said during voir dire, that she effectively could communicate in English, and that she
    completed the juror questionnaire herself. She also conveyed that she works as a preschool
    teacher where she reads to children. Based on the foregoing, giving considerable deference to
    the trial court, which was in the best position to evaluate the juror’s demeanor and responses, we
    conclude that the trial court’s ruling that the juror was qualified to serve was not outside the zone
    of reasonable disagreement. See Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 391; see also Hodge, 896 S.W.2d
    at 343; Cf. Gardner, 
    306 S.W.3d at
    295–96. Therefore, we hold that the trial court did not abuse
    its discretion in overruling Appellant’s motion to disqualify the juror. Appellant’s second issue
    is overruled.
    COURT COSTS
    In her third issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in assessing a “time
    payment” fee previously authorized by Texas Local Government Code, Section 133.103 in its
    judgment. 3 The State concedes that this fee is facially unconstitutional. We agree. See Salinas
    v. State, 
    523 S.W.3d 103
    , 112 n. 54 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017); see also Ovalle v. State, 
    592 S.W.3d 615
    , 618 n.1 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2020, pet. filed); Simmons v. State, 
    590 S.W.3d 702
    ,
    712 (Tex. App.–Waco 2019, no pet.); Dulin v. State, 
    583 S.W.3d 351
    , 353 (Tex. App.–Austin
    2019, no pet.); Johnson v. State, 
    573 S.W.3d 328
    , 340 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2019, no
    pet.) (concluding that, because the portions of time payment fee authorized by subsections
    Section 133.103(b) and (d) were deposited in general revenue and were not sufficiently allocated
    3
    The Texas Legislature passed legislation, effective January 1, 2020, that transfers Texas Local
    Government Code, Section 133.103 to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 102.030 and revises the statute to
    provide that all of the fees collected under the section are “to be used for the purpose of improving the collection of
    outstanding court costs, fines, reimbursement fees, or restitution or improving the efficiency of the administration of
    justice in the county or municipality.” See Act of May 23, 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., S.B. 346, § 2.54, 2019 Tex. Sess.
    Law Serv. Ch. 1352. The changes apply only to a cost, fee, or fine assessed on a conviction for an offense
    committed on or after the effective date of the Act. Id. § 5.01. Because the offense in this case was committed
    before January 1, 2020, the former law applies. See Ovalle v. State, 
    592 S.W.3d 615
    , 617 n.1 (Tex. App.–Dallas
    2020, pet. filed).
    11
    to administration of criminal justice system, those subsections were facially unconstitutional as
    violating the separation-of-powers provision of Texas Constitution).
    Here, the judgment of conviction reflects that the trial court assessed $289.00 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 $289.00.              The certified bill of costs itemizes the court costs
    imposed, which total $289.00 with a $289.00 balance remaining. The bill of costs indicates that
    the $25.00 time payment fee will be assessed if any part of the court costs is paid on or after the
    31st day after the date the judgment assessing the court costs is entered. But see TEX. LOC.
    GOV’T CODE ANN. § 133.1103(c) (West Supp. 2019) (treasurer shall deposit ten percent of fees
    collected under this section in general fund of county or municipality for purpose of improving
    efficiency of administration of justice in county or municipality).
    The proper remedy when a trial court erroneously includes amounts as court costs is to
    modify the judgment to delete erroneous amounts. See Sturdivant v. State, 
    445 S.W.3d 435
    , 443
    (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. ref’d). Accordingly, we will modify the trial court’s
    judgment and Attachment A to reflect the appropriate assessment of court costs that do not
    include the time payment fee. See Ovalle, 592 S.W.3d at 618. Appellant’s third issue is
    sustained.
    CONCLUSION
    Having sustained Appellant’s third issue, we modify the trial court’s judgment to reflect
    that the amount of court costs is $266.50. See TEX. R. APP. P. 43.2(b). We also modify
    Attachment A to state that the total amount of “court costs, fees and/or fines and/or restitution” is
    $266.50. See id. Having overruled Appellant’s first and second issues, we affirm the trial
    court’s judgment as modified.
    JAMES T. WORTHEN
    Chief Justice
    Opinion delivered September 9, 2020.
    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.
    (DO NOT PUBLISH)
    12
    COURT OF APPEALS
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
    JUDGMENT
    SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
    NO. 12-19-00347-CR
    CHARITY IRVIN,
    Appellant
    V.
    THE STATE OF TEXAS,
    Appellee
    Appeal from the 114th District Court
    of Smith County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 114-1520-18)
    THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
    herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that the judgment of the trial
    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 $266.50. It is further
    ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECRED that Attachment A is modified to state that the total
    amount of “court costs, fees and/or fines and/or restitution” is $266.50, and as modified, the
    judgment of the trial court is affirmed; and that this decision be certified to the court below for
    observance.
    James T. Worthen, Chief Justice.
    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.