BARRY JEROME GREEN APPELLANT v. THE STATE OF TEXAS APPELLEE (2017)

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Barry Jerome Green appeals his conviction of engaging in organized criminal activity. In one issue, Appellant argues that the trial court improperly assessed court costs in its judgment. We affirm.

BACKGROUND

Appellant was charged by indictment with engaging in organized criminal activity. The indictment further alleged that Appellant previously had been convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Appellant pleaded “guilty” as charged and pleaded “true” to the enhancement allegation. The matter proceeded to a trial on punishment, following which the trial court found Appellant “guilty” as charged, found the enhancement allegation to be “true,” and sentenced him to imprisonment for ten years. This appeal followed.

COURT COSTS

In his sole issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in withdrawing funds from Appellant's inmate trust account based on costs assessed in the trial court's judgment because those costs are not supported by a statutorily required bill of costs. Since the filing of Appellant's brief, the record has been supplemented with a bill of costs. See Johnson v. State, 405 S.W.3d 350, 353 (Tex. App.–Tyler 2013, no pet.) (permitting supplementation of record with bill of costs). Accordingly, we review Appellant's issue as a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting court costs.

Standard of Review and Applicable Law

A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence supporting court costs is reviewable on direct appeal in a criminal case. See Armstrong v. State, 340 S.W.3d 759, 767 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011). We measure sufficiency by reviewing the record in the light most favorable to the award. Mayer v. State, 309 S.W.3d 552, 557 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010); Cardenas v. State, 403 S.W.3d 377, 382 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, no pet.). Requiring a convicted defendant to pay court costs does not alter the range of punishment, is authorized by statute, and is generally not conditioned on a defendant's ability to pay. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.16 (West 2006); Armstrong, 340 S.W.3d at 767; see also Johnson, 405 S.W.3d at 354.

Evidence Supporting Assessment of Costs

The judgment of conviction reflects that the trial court assessed $304.00 in court costs and $3,055.64 in restitution. 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 $3,359.64. The certified bill of costs itemizes the court costs imposed, which total $304.00. We have reviewed each of the fees listed in the bill of costs. All of the costs and fees are authorized by statute. See, e.g., Ireland v. State, No. 03-14-00616-CR, 2015 WL 4914982, at *3 n.3 (Tex. App.–Austin Aug. 12, 2015, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication). Therefore, we hold that the costs imposed in the trial court's judgment are supported by legally sufficient evidence. Appellant's sole issue is overruled.

DISPOSITION

Having overruled Appellant's sole issue, we affirm the trial court's judgment.

JUDGMENT

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 there was no error in the judgment.

It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment of the court below be in all things affirmed, and that this decision be certified to the court below for observance.

JAMES T. WORTHEN Chief Justice