Nabelek v. District Attorney of Harris County

MAJORITY OPINION

Appellant, Ivo Nabelek, appeals the dismissal of his suit against appellee, the District Attorney of Harris County, Texas. In his suit, Nabelek, an inmate at a state correctional facility proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, sought declaratory and injunctive relief to determine the validity and constitutionality of section 552.028 of the Texas Open Records Act. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 552.028 (Vernon 2004). The trial court dismissed Nabelek’s suit as frivolous pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 14.003(a)(2). Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 14.003(a)(2) (Vernon 2002). Nabelek raises five issues on appeal. We affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On June 14, 1995, Nabelek sent a letter to the District Attorney of Harris County (the “DAHC”) requesting copies “of the entire records and all exhibits including the complete transcripts and everything pertaining to the trial of Texas State [sic] v. Ivo Nabelek, Case No. 657516 and case No. 657528”1 pursuant to the Texas Open Records Act.2 On June 28, 1995, the DAHC responded to Nabelek’s letter, denying Nabelek’s request, citing section 552.027 of the Texas Government Code. See Act effective June 5, 1995, 74th Leg., R.S., ch. 302, § 1, 1995 Tex. Gen. Laws 2670, 2670 (amended 2003) (current version at Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 552.028 (Vernon 2004)). The version of section 552.027 in effect at that time granted governmental bodies such as the DAHC the discretion whether to comply with a request for information from an incarcerated individual. Section 552.027 provided as follows:

*226Sec. 552.027. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL

(a) A governmental body is not required to accept or comply with a request for information from an individual who is imprisoned or confined in a correctional facility.

(b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a governmental body from disclosing to an individual described by that subsection information held by the governmental body pertaining to that individual.

(c) In this section, “correctional facility” has the meaning assigned by Section 1.07(a), Penal Code.

Id.

In 1996 and 2000, Nabelek sent correspondence to the DAHC specifically inquiring about the whereabouts of certain personal property seized from him by the Houston Police Department when he was arrested in 1993. Nabelek’s 1996 and 2000 correspondence did not reference the Texas Open Records Act. The DAHC responded to Nabelek’s correspondence, informing Nabelek that it did not have any items in its possession that did not relate to the prosecution of his cases and it had no knowledge of the whereabouts of his personal property. Unlike its response to the 1995 request for information, the DAHC did not deny Nabelek’s 1996 and 2000 inquiries about the whereabouts of his personal property pursuant to section 552.027 or 552.028.3

In July 2001, Nabelek filed this suit against the DAHC seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to determine the constitutionality of section 552.028 as applied to the DAHC’s denial of his access to information. In his petition, Nabelek alleged the DAHC wrongfully denied him access to information in its possession under the Texas Open Records Act. Nabelek argued he was acting as his own attorney when he requested the information from the DAHC and his status as a pro se litigant entitled him to the information he sought.4

The DAHC filed a motion for summary judgment and a motion to dismiss Nabe-lek’s suit as frivolous under Chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code based on the following two grounds: (1) Nabelek failed to file an affidavit or unsworn declaration as required by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section *22714.004, requiring dismissal of his claims; and (2) Nabelek’s claims against the DAHC are frivolous because there is no arguable basis in law to support his claims. Nabelek filed a response to the DAHC’s motions and a cross-motion for summary judgment.

An “order setting hearings,” dated August 29, 2002, notified the parties the pending motions, including the DAHC’s motions and eight of Nabelek’s motions, were set for a hearing on September 13, 2002, and, pursuant to its order, the trial court held a telephonic hearing on September 18, 2002. On October 18, 2002, the trial court dismissed Nabelek’s claims as frivolous as follows:

ORDER DISMISSING CASE

On September 13, 2002 the Court heard [the DAHCJ’s Motion to Dismiss Frivolous Action and Motion for Summary Judgment. At the hearing the Court heard and considered the pleadings and arguments of [Nabelek] (who participated in the hearing without counsel) and counsel for [the DAHC]. The Court’s file indicates that through the date of this Order [Nabelek] has never been represented by an attorney of record in this case. [Nabelek] stated at the commencement of the hearing that he did not have counsel representing him in the case or in connection with the hearing, and that he was ready to proceed with the hearing without counsel. The Court orders as follows in connection with the Motions.

It is Ordered that the claims of [Nabe-lek] in this case are dismissed under Sec[t]ion 14.003(a)(2) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code as frivolous claims.

On appeal, Nabelek raises five issues, arguing the trial court erred in: (1) not having a stenographic or other recording made of the September 13, 2002 telephonic hearing; (2) not ruling on Nabelek’s pending motions; (3) dismissing Nabelek’s claims as frivolous under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 14.003(a)(2) for non-compliance with Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 14.004; (4) not specifying whether the dismissal of Nabelek’s claims was with or without prejudice; and (5) dismissing Na-belek’s claims as frivolous under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 14.003(a)(2) for lack of arguable basis in law.

DISCUSSION

I. The Trial Court’s Dismissal of Nabe-lek’s Suit Under Section 14.003(a)(2)

In issues three and five, Nabelek argues the trial court erred in dismissing his claims as frivolous under section 14.003(a)(2) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

A. Section 14.003(a)(2)

The dismissal of lawsuits brought by inmates who file affidavits of inability to pay is governed by chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, entitled “Inmate Litigation.” See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. §§ 14.001-14.014 (Vernon 2002). Section 14.003(a)(2) specifically allows a trial court to dismiss an inmate’s claim as frivolous, before or after service of process, if it finds “(1) the claim’s realistic chance of ultimate success is slight; (2) the claim has no arguable basis in law or in fact; (3) it is clear that the party cannot prove facts in support of the claim; or (4) the claim is substantially similar to a previous claim filed by the inmate because the claim arises from the same operative facts.” Id. at § 14.003(a)(2), (b). The trial court may hold a hearing when dismissing a case under section 14.003(a), and a hearing may be held before or after service of *228process. Id. at § 14.003(c); see also id. at § 14.008 (discussing manners by which trial court may hold a hearing under Chapter 14).

A trial court has broad discretion to dismiss an inmate’s suit as frivolous. See Retzlaff v. Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, 94 S.W.3d 650, 654 (Tex.App.Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. denied). Trial courts are given broad discretion under section 14.003 because: “(1) prisoners have a strong incentive to litigate; (2) the government bears the cost of an in forma pauperis suit; (3) sanctions are not effective; and (4) the dismissal of unmeritorious claims accrues to the benefit of state officials, courts, and meritorious claimants.” Id. at 653.

Our review of whether a claim is legally cognizable is de novo. Id. For a claim to have no arguable basis in law, it must be based on “an indisputably merit-less legal theory,” or be based on wholly incredible or irrational factual allegations. Gill v. Boyd Distrib. Ctr., 64 S.W.3d 601, 603 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2001, pet. denied) (quoting Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989), and citing Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 33, 112 S.Ct. 1728, 118 L.Ed.2d 340 (1992)). An inmate’s cause of action may not be dismissed merely because the court considers the allegations “unlikely.” Id. at 603-04 (quoting Denton, 504 U.S. at 33, 112 S.Ct. 1728).

B. Dismissal of Nabelek’s Claims Under Section 14.003(a)(2)

In its motion to dismiss and motion for summary judgment, the DAHC asserted two grounds for dismissal of Nabelek’s claims. First, the DAHC argued Nabelek failed to comply with section 14.004 by not filing a declaration or affidavit identifying previous litigation. Second, the DAHC argued Nabelek’s suit was frivolous and had no arguable basis in law for three reasons: (1) limitations barred Nabelek’s claims; (2) Nabelek’s interpretation of section 522.028(a)’s attorney exception had no arguable basis in law; and (3) no arguable constitutional claim was stated. After holding a telephonic hearing, the trial court dismissed Nabelek’s claims under section 14.003(a)(2) as frivolous.5

Nabelek argues that as a pro se litigant, he is his own attorney of record. As such, Nabelek contends that when he requested information from the DAHC, the DAHC was required to comply with his requests for information under Texas Government Code section 552.028(a)(2), which currently provides as follows:

A governmental body is not required to accept or comply with a request for information from:

(1) an individual who is imprisoned or confined in a correctional facility; or

(2) an agent of that individual, other than that individual’s attorney when the attorney is requesting information that is subject to disclosure under this chapter.

See Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 552.028(a) (Vernon 2004) (emphasis added). Subsection (a)(2) did not go into effect until 1999.

The DAHC sought dismissal of Na-belek’s suit based on the statute of limitations, arguing Nabelek’s suit was barred by the four-year residual statute of limitations. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 16.051 (Vernon 1997) (“Every action for which there is no express limitations period ... must be brought not later than four years after the day the cause of action *229accrues.”). We agree with the DAHC that because there is no specific deadline for filing a suit challenging the denial of rights under the Texas Open Records Act under chapter 552 of the government code, the four-year residual statute of limitations applies.

The DAHC’s denial of Nabelek’s request for information under section 552.027 of the Texas Open Records Act occurred six years prior to Nabelek filing suit against the DAHC. Nabelek filed suit against the DAHC on July 27, 2001. The only request Nabelek made to the DAHC for information pursuant the Texas Open Records Act was on June 14, 1995, and the DAHC denied this request for information pursuant to its discretion to do so under section 552.027 on June 28, 1995.6 Nabelek’s suit was commenced well beyond the four-year statute of limitations period and is time-barred.

Nabelek argues he filed suit within the relevant limitations period based on his March 2000 correspondence to the DAHC seeking information relating to his criminal cases. We disagree. Copies of Nabelek’s March 2000 correspondence and the DAHC’s response were attached to the DAHC’s motion to dismiss. In his March 2000 correspondence, Nabelek did not seek information from the DAHC pursuant to the Texas Open Records Act, and the DAHC did not deny Nabelek’s request for information pursuant to section 552.028. In its response to Nabelek’s 2000 request, the DAHC informed appellant that “this office has nothing in its litigation files that did not relate to [his] prosecution” and that the DAHC would not respond to any further requests for information from Na-belek “[pjursuant to the discretion accorded it for requests for information from incarcerated individuals.” Thus, because Nabelek’s March 2000 request does not invoke the Open Records Act, that request does not save his claims from being barred by the statute of limitations.

Moreover, in addition to being barred by limitations, Nabelek’s claims against the DAHC also lack an arguable basis in law because the 1999 amendment to section 552.028, the subject of Nabelek’s constitutional attacks, was not in effect when he requested information from the DAHC in 1995 and 1996 and, with regard to his 2000 request, Nabelek did not seek information from the DAHC in that request pursuant to the Texas Open Records Act or state that he was acting as a pro se attorney on his own behalf when requesting information from the DAHC. Furthermore, it is undisputed that Nabelek is not a licensed attorney in the state of Texas and may not avail himself of the attorney exception within section 552.028(a)(2). Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 552.028(a)(2) (providing that “[a] governmental body is not required to accept or comply with a request for information from: (1) an individual who is imprisoned or confined in a correctional facility; or (2) an agent of that individual, other than that individual’s attorney when the attorney is requesting information that is subject to disclosure under this chapter ”) (emphasis *230added). Thus, as pled, Nabelek’s constitutional attacks on section 552.028(a)(2) do not have an arguable basis in law and present, at most, only a theoretical dispute.7

We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing Na-belek’s suit as frivolous, and we overrule issue five.8

In issue three, Nabelek contends the trial court erred in dismissing his suit as frivolous for non-compliance with section 14.004 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which requires indigent inmates to file an affidavit relating to previous filings. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 14.004 (Vernon 2002). Having concluded the trial court properly dismissed Nabelek’s claims under section 14.003(a)(2) as frivolous claims, we need not address this alternative ground for dismissal, and we overrule issue three.

II. Notice and Record of the September 13, 2002 Hearing

In issue one, Nabelek contends the trial court erred in failing to have the September 13, 2002 telephonic hearing steno-graphically or otherwise recorded. Nabe-lek appeared at the September hearing via telephone. Nabelek asserts he orally requested that a record of the hearing be made at the beginning of the hearing and that the trial court erred in denying his oral request. Nabelek contends harm is shown because his “claims, evidence and arguments presented at the September 13, 2002 hearing substantially altered those presented in the written pleadings.” Na-belek also complains of not having received notice of the September 13 hearing.

The record shows that on August 29, 2002, the trial court signed an order setting the DAHC’s motions and eight of Nabelek’s pending motions for a telephonic hearing on September 13, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. Nabelek appeared at the hearing via telephone. There is no written record of the hearing.

Nabelek argues the court reporter was required to make a record of the September 13 hearing pursuant to Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 13.1 and 13.2.9 Tex.R.Apf. P. 13.1, 13.2. Rule *23113.1 provides in pertinent part, “The official court reporter or court recorder must: (a) unless excused by agreement of the parties, attend court sessions and make a full record of the proceedings....” Tex. R.App. P. 13.1(a). Rule 13.2 lists a court reporter’s duties, such as ensuring the recording equipment is functioning and making a detailed log of all proceedings being recorded. Tex.R.App. P. 13.2. Nabelek essentially argues these rules impose upon court reporters an absolute duty to record all proceedings.

We first determine whether Nabelek has preserved these issues for appellate review. Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 33.1 provides that, in general, as a prerequisite to presenting a complaint for appellate review, the record must show a timely, specific objection and a ruling by the trial court. Tex.R.App. P. 33.1(a). Likewise, Texas Government Code section 52.046,10 which sets forth the general powers and duties of court reporters, provides that a party must request a court reporter to make a record of proceedings. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 52.046(a)(2) (requiring court reporter to attend court and make a record “[o]n request”); see Pótasele v. State, 16 S.W.3d 82, 88-89 (Tex.App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, pet. ref'd) (holding rule 13.1(a) void and proper rule stated by Texas Government Code section 52.046(a)). Here, contrary to Nabelek’s assertions, the record does not show he requested that the court reporter record the September 13, 2002 hearing.11 Simi*232larly, with regard to Nabelek’s complaint regarding lack of notice of the hearing, the record shows appellant attended the hearing via telephone and did not object to the lack of proper notice of the hearing. By failing to request that the court reporter record the hearing or object to the reporter’s failure to record and by failing to object to a lack of notice of the hearing, Nabelek has failed to preserve these issues for review. See Tex.R.App. P. 33.1(a).

Furthermore, even if Nabelek properly had preserved these issues for review, they are without merit. It is well-settled a trial court is not required to conduct an oral hearing before dismissing a suit under section 14.003 or ruling on a motion for summary judgment. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 14.003(c) (Vernon 2002) (providing a trial court may hold a hearing to decide whether to dismiss a suit under section 14.003); Tex.R. Civ. P. 166a(c) (providing “[n]o oral testimony shall be received” at a hearing on a motion for summary judgment); Houston v. Clear Creek Basin Authority, 589 S.W.2d 671, 677 (Tex.1979) (noting that having a court reporter record summary judgment hearings is “a practice neither necessary nor appropriate to the purposes of such a hearing.”); Thomas v. Bilby, 40 S.W.3d 166, 168 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 2001, no pet.) (noting trial court is not required to hold a hearing before dismissing a suit under section 14.003(a)). In addition, based on our review of the record, there were no evidentiary proceedings for the court reporter to record, and, thus, the absence of a record did not cause Nabelek any resulting harm. Moreover, Nabelek does not explain how the absence of a record of the hearing or lack of notice of the hearing caused the rendition of an improper judgment or prevented him from properly presenting his case to this court. See Tex.R.App. P. 44.1(a) (“No judgment may be reversed on appeal on the ground that the trial court made an error of law unless the court of appeals concludes that the error complained of: (1) probably caused the rendition of an improper judgment; or (2) probably prevented the appellant from properly presenting the case to the court of appeals.”). Thus, any error in the trial court’s failure to have the court reporter record the telephonic hearing was harmless.

Accordingly, we overrule issue one.

III. Ruling on Nabelek’s Pending Motions

In issue two, Nabelek asserts the trial court erred in not ruling on his pending motions before dismissing his case under section 14.003. Nabelek’s pending motions were set for a hearing on September 13, 2002, along with the DAHC’s motions. The trial court later dismissed Nabelek’s claims as frivolous but did not specifically rule on the other pending motions.

The DAHC argues the trial court’s dismissal of Nabelek’s claims as frivolous rendered Nabelek’s pending motions moot. We agree. Under section 14.003(a), a court may dismiss a claim either before or after service of process if it finds a claim is frivolous. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 14.003(a)(Vernon 2002). In our discussion of issue five, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing Nabelek’s suit as frivolous. Thus, the trial court had no obligation to rule on *233Nabelek’s pending motions. Additionally, the record does not show Nabelek requested the trial court to specifically rule on his pending motions or that the trial court refused to rule on the motions, thus waiving this issue, and Nabelek’s motions were effectively denied when the trial court dismissed Nabelek’s suit.

Accordingly, we overrule issue two.

IV. Dismissal of Nabelek’s Claims “With” or “Without” Prejudice

Nabelek’s final issue on appeal concerns the trial court not specifying in the order of dismissal whether Nabelek’s claims were dismissed with or without prejudice. Nabelek argues such a determination is important because of res judicata concerns if the dismissal is “with prejudice.”

A dismissal with prejudice constitutes an adjudication on the merits and operates as if the case had been fully tried and decided. See Ritchey v. Vasquez, 986 S.W.2d 611, 612 (Tex.1999). Orders dismissing cases with prejudice have full res judicata and collateral estoppel effect, barring subsequent relitigation of the same causes of action or issues between the same parties. See Barr v. Resolution Trust Corp., 887 S.W.2d 627, 680-31 (Tex.1992). A dismissal with prejudice is improper if the plaintiffs failure can be remedied. See Hickman v. Adams, 35 S.W.3d 120, 124 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no pet.). If the error resulting in the dismissal of an inmate’s suit cannot be remedied, a dismissal with prejudice is proper. See id.

We have concluded Nabelek’s claims have no arguable basis in law and are frivolous. Because Nabelek cannot remedy the errors resulting in the dismissal of his suit, dismissal with prejudice under these circumstances is appropriate. Accordingly, we reform the judgment to reflect the cause is dismissed “with prejudice” and overrule issue four.

Conclusion

We reform the judgment to reflect the cause is dismissed “with prejudice.” As reformed, the judgment is affirmed.