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Serena Rojas v. State
13-12-00465-CR
Tex. App.
Sep 5, 2013
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Background

  • Appellant Serena Rojas pleaded guilty to burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony.
  • In 2007, the trial court deferred adjudication and placed her on five years’ deferred-adjudication probation.
  • In 2009, the trial court revoked supervision and adjudicated guilt, sentencing to 20 years’ confinement and ordering costs of $281.25 and restitution of $2,750.
  • The appeal challenged (1) court costs amount and (2) restitution amount.
  • Record lacked a certified bill of costs; increased costs appeared without explanation in the record.
  • Court modified the judgment: $276.00 in costs and deletion of $2,750 restitution; judgment affirmed as modified.

Issues

Issue Plaintiff's Argument Defendant's Argument Held
Court costs wrong amount due to lack of record support Rojas State Costs reduced to $276.00; insufficient evidence supports $281.25.
Restitution not orally pronounced; must be deleted Rojas State Restitution of $2,750 deleted; amended judgment to reflect no restitution.

Key Cases Cited

  • Mayer v. State, 309 S.W.3d 552 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) (sufficiency review of court costs; evidence required to support costs)
  • Solomon v. State, 392 S.W.3d 309 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012) (sufficiency of evidence to support court costs; waiver not required for issue on appeal)
  • Cates v. State, 402 S.W.3d 250 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013) (modification of judgment to delete erroneously included costs)
  • Nolan v. State, 39 S.W.3d 697 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2001) (reforming judgment to reflect costs or penalties inaccurately stated)
  • Thompson v. State, 108 S.W.3d 287 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (oral pronouncement controls when conflict with judgment exists)
  • Alexander v. State, 301 S.W.3d 361 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009) (restitution must be included in the oral pronouncement of sentence)
  • Taylor v. State, 131 S.W.3d 497 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) (deferred adjudication lacks final conviction; restitution requirements depend on pronouncement)
Read the full case

Case Details

Case Name: Serena Rojas v. State
Court Name: Court of Appeals of Texas
Date Published: Sep 5, 2013
Docket Number: 13-12-00465-CR
Court Abbreviation: Tex. App.