State v. Monica Griffin

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AT AUSTIN NO. 3-92-367-CR THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLANT vs. MONICA GRIFFIN, APPELLEE FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 2 OF HAYS COUNTY, NO. 36,672, HONORABLE LINDA A. RODRIGUEZ, JUDGE PRESIDING PER CURIAM The State appeals an order of the county court at law granting appellee's motion to dismiss this cause. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 44.01(a)(1) (West Supp. 1992); see State v. Eaves, 800 S.W.2d 220, 224 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). The underlying offense is driving while intoxicated. Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 6701l-1 (West Supp. 1992). In her motion to dismiss, appellee alleged that the Southwest Texas State University police officer who arrested her did not have jurisdiction at the location of the arrest. In two points of error, the State urges that the court should not have granted the motion to dismiss because appellee did not tender evidence in support of her allegation and because the statute governing university police officers has been amended to extend their jurisdiction to off-campus areas. We do not address either contention, as we find that the court's order exceeded its constitutional and statutory authority. In general, a trial court cannot dismiss a prosecution except on the motion of the prosecuting attorney. State v. Shelton, 802 S.W.2d 80 (Tex. App.--Austin 1990), vacated on other grounds, 830 S.W.2d 605 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992); State v. Gray, 801 S.W.2d 10 (Tex. App.--Austin 1990, no pet.). Although there are certain circumstances under which a trial court is authorized to dismiss a prosecution on its own or the defendant's motion, appellee's motion to dismiss did not invoke any of the constitutional or statutory provisions on which such implicit authority is based. Whether appellee's arrest was lawful may be determined by a motion to suppress evidence. If a motion to suppress is filed and granted, the prosecutor, as the officer charged with the responsibility for preparing and prosecuting criminal suits, may decide whether a prosecution is sustainable. State v. Nolan, 808 S.W.2d 556, 560 (Tex. App.--Austin 1991, no pet.). The order granting appellee's motion to dismiss is reversed and the cause is remanded to the county court at law. [Before Chief Justice Carroll, Justices Jones and Kidd] Reversed and Remanded Filed: November 4, 1992 [Do Not Publish]