Rustin Cole Simpson v. the State of Texas
CourtTexas Court of Appeals, 3rd District (Austin)
Date FiledAugust 26, 2026
Docket03-26-00415-CR
StatusPublished
📰 News Coverage: Read the LAWS.com news report on this case
Full Opinion
TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-26-00415-CR
Rustin Cole Simpson, Appellant
v.
The State of Texas, Appellee
FROM THE 27TH DISTRICT COURT OF BELL COUNTY
NO. FR83066, THE HONORABLE DEBBIE GARRETT, JUDGE PRESIDING
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant Rustin Cole Simpson was convicted of the second-degree felony of
sexual assault and sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment. Tex. Penal Code §§ 12.33(a),
22.011(A)(1). He appealed his conviction.
Simpson’s court-appointed appellate counsel filed a motion to withdraw
supported by an Anders brief contending that the appeal is frivolous and without merit. See
Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744-45 (1967). Counsel’s brief meets the requirements of
Anders by presenting a professional evaluation of the record and demonstrating that there are no
arguable grounds to be advanced. See id.; Garner v. State, 300 S.W.3d 763, 766 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2009); see also Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 81-82 (1988) (explaining that Anders briefs
serve purpose of “assisting the court in determining both that counsel in fact conducted the
required detailed review of the case and that the appeal is . . . frivolous”). Counsel informed the
Court that she provided copies of the motion and brief to Simpson; advised him of his right to
examine the appellate record, file a pro se brief, and pursue discretionary review following the
resolution of the appeal in this Court; and provided him with a form motion for pro se access to
the appellate record along with the mailing address of this Court. See Kelly v. State, 436 S.W.3d
313, 319-20 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014). Simpson did not file a pro se brief, nor did he request an
extension of time to do so.
After independently reviewing the record and considering the brief filed by
counsel, we have found nothing that might arguably support the appeal. See Anders, 386 U.S. at
744; Garner, 300 S.W.3d at 766. We agree with counsel that the appeal is frivolous and without
merit. Accordingly, we grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm the trial court’s judgment
adjudicating guilt.
__________________________________________
Darlene Byrne, Chief Justice
Before Chief Justice Byrne, Justices Kelly and Theofanis
Affirmed
Filed: August 26, 2026
Do Not Publish
2