Valerie Lauren Mata v. the State of Texas

Summary

The Texas Court of Appeals for the First District dismissed Valerie Lauren Mata’s appeal from a conviction for improper relationship with a student. The court held that Mata validly waived her right to appeal as part of her guilty plea in exchange for the State waiving its right to a jury trial, leaving the court without jurisdiction.

Holdings

1. A defendant may validly waive the right to appeal as part of a plea agreement, even when sentencing is not agreed upon, if consideration is given for the waiver; the record here showed that the State gave up its right to a jury trial in exchange for Mata's waiver.
2. A valid waiver of the right to appeal deprived the court of jurisdiction, requiring dismissal of the appeal.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Mata validly waived her right to appeal as part of her guilty plea.
2. Whether the court of appeals had jurisdiction to consider an appeal that the defendant had validly waived.

Disposition

dismissed