Ex parte Rubac

Decision Date04 March 1981
Docket NumberNo. 66921,No. 3,66921,3
PartiesEx parte Richard Emil RUBAC
CourtTexas Court of Criminal Appeals

Melvyn Carson Bruder, Dallas, for appellant.

Edward J. Walsh, Dist. Atty. and Ken Anderson, Asst. Dist. Atty., Georgetown, Robert Huttash, State's Atty., Austin, for the State.

Before DAVIS, McCORMICK and TEAGUE, JJ.

OPINION

McCORMICK, Judge.

This is an appeal from a denial of the trial court to reduce bail pending appeal. Article 44.04(g), V.A.C.C.P. On April 4, 1980, petitioner was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Prior to trial, petitioner was released on a $50,000 bond. On December 19, 1980, a jury convicted petitioner of possession with intent to deliver, methamphetamine, on an indictment alleging possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and possession of LSD. On January 8, 1981, punishment was assessed at ten years. At sentencing, petitioner gave notice of appeal and requested the right to remain on the previously set $50,000 bond pending appeal. However, the trial court set the appeal bond at $100,000.

On January 15, 1981, the trial court conducted a hearing on appellant's request for a reduction of the $100,000 bond. Petitioner presented evidence that he had complied in every respect with conditions of his previous bonds, and that he had made all court appearances required. Petitioner's background reveals that he is thirty-five years old, holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University, and has no previous convictions. Petitioner was raised in Central Texas, and has lived in Dallas the past twelve years. Petitioner was unemployed at the time of arrest, but has prospective employment if released on bail pending appeal. Appellant also asserts that he has another $50,000 appearance bond on another indictment, and that he presently has, at the most, $3,000 to use for appeal bond in this cause.

The State offered no evidence, but on cross-examination attempted to show petitioner's ability to pay by showing that the increase over the original $50,000 bond would only cost petitioner $7500. In addition, testimony revealed that approximately $45,000 had been seized from petitioner when he was arrested. However, the evidence demonstrates that petitioner's resources are either depleted or are being held subject to forfeiture by the federal or state governments.

Article 17.15, V.A.C.C.P., provides:

"The amount of bail to be required in any case is to be regulated by the court, judge, magistrate, or officer taking the bail; they are to be governed in the exercise of this discretion by the Constitution and by the following rules:

"1. The bail shall be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that the undertaking will be complied with.

"2. The power to require bail is not to be so used as to make it an instrument of oppression.

"3. The nature of the offense and the circumstances under which it was committed are to be considered.

"4. The ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may be taken upon this point."

The burden of proof is on petitioner for reduction in bail to show that the bail set is excessive. Ex parte August, 552 S.W.2d 169 (Tex.Cr.App.1977); Ex parte Vasquez, 558 S.W.2d 477 (Tex.Cr.App.1977).

The primary objective of the appeal bond is to secure appellant's apprehension if his conviction is subsequently affirmed. Article 17.15(1), supra; see, Ex parte Branch, 553 S.W.2d 380 (Tex.Cr.App.1977). In considering what constitutes reasonable bail on appeal, certain factors should be considered. The primary factors are the length of the sentence, Mayo v. State, 611 S.W.2d 442 (No. 66,489, February 11, 1981); Ex parte August, supra; and the nature of the offense, Mecom v. United States, 434 U.S. 1340, 98 S.Ct. 19, 54 L.Ed.2d 49 (1977); Ex parte Rodriguez, 595 S.W.2d 549 (Tex.Cr.App.1980). Other supportive data that this Court deems relevant includes: petitioner's work record, family ties, and length of residency, Ex parte Ivey, 594...

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410 cases
  • Ex parte Krupps
    • United States
    • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    • June 11, 1986
    ...the constant review that we give to claims of excessive bail. See Ex parte Davila, 623 S.W.2d 408 (Tex.Cr.App.1981); Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848 (Tex.Cr.App.1981). The Supreme Court has used several factors to determine whether a contempt sentence is appropriately within the discretion o......
  • Duncan v. Stephens
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of Texas
    • September 22, 2015
    ...bails. See Maldonado v. State, 999 S.W.2d 91, 93 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1999, pet. ref'd) (citing Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 849-50 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981)); Ex parte Milburn, 8 S.W.3d 422, 425 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 1999, no pet.). These considerations are also designed to gauge ......
  • Odonnell v. Harris Cnty.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of Texas
    • April 28, 2017
    ...evidentiary standard for bail-setting hearings. The burden of proof is on a defendant who claims bail is excessive. Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 849 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981) ; Ex parte Martinez–Velasco, 666 S.W.2d 613, 614 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1984, no pet.). In reviewing a trial......
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    • United States
    • Texas Court of Appeals
    • June 14, 2016
    ...Const. amend. VIII ; Tex. Const. art. I, § 11. We review a challenge to the excessiveness of bail for abuse of discretion. See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 850 (Tex.Crim.App. [Panel Op.] 1981). Under this standard, we may not disturb the trial court's decision if it falls within the zone......
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24 books & journal articles
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    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Archive Texas DWI Manual - 2014 Legal Principles
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    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Archive Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. Volume 1 - 2019 Contents
    • August 16, 2019
    ...has the burden of demonstrating that the trial court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive condition of bond. Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1981). A defendant must object to a bond condition when it is imposed or he fails to preserve error for appeal. ......
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    • James Publishing Practical Law Books Archive Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. Volume 1 - 2017 Contents
    • August 17, 2017
    ...has the burden of demonstrating that the trial court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive condition of bond. Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1981). A defendant must object to a bond condition when it is imposed or he fails to preserve error for appeal. ......
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