DAVID PURYEAR, Justice.
We grant the Travis County District Attorney's motion for rehearing, withdraw our previous opinion and judgment dated August 6, 2010, and substitute the following en banc opinion and judgment in their place. See Tex.R.App. P. 41.2 (allowing appellate courts to decide to consider case en banc).
The Travis County District Attorney appeals from the trial court's order granting M.M.'s petition for expunction of two charges arising from an arrest in 2004. In the 2004 incident, M.M. was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI), resisting arrest, and assault of a public servant. Later, as part of a negotiated plea bargain, the Travis County Attorney abandoned the DWI charge, M.M. pled no contest to the resisting-arrest charge, and M.M. admitted guilt as to the charge of assault of a public servant and asked the trial court to take the admitted offense into account in sentencing her for resisting arrest. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.45 (West 2011). The court sentenced M.M. to two years of deferred-adjudication community supervision. See Tex.Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.12, § 5 (West Supp. 2011). M.M. later filed a petition seeking to expunge all records and files relating to her DWI and assault charges, and the trial court granted the petition.
On appeal, the Travis County District Attorney challenges the trial court's order expunging the assault and DWI charges, contending that M.M. did not meet the requirements with respect to either charge. We agree and reverse the trial court's order.
The facts of this case are undisputed. In 2004, a state trooper conducted a traffic
After her arrest, M.M. was charged by indictment for the felony offense of assault of a public servant and by information for the misdemeanor offenses of DWI and resisting arrest. As part of a plea bargain, the Travis County Attorney abandoned the DWI charge, M.M. pled no contest to the resisting-arrest charge, and M.M. admitted guilt as to the felony offense of assault of a public servant. Pursuant to section 12.45 of the penal code, M.M. asked the trial court to take the admitted felony offense into consideration in sentencing her for the charge of resisting arrest. The trial court agreed to do so and ultimately sentenced M.M. to two years' deferred-adjudication community supervision.
In 2007, M.M. filed a petition to expunge the records pertaining to the DWI and assault charges. The Travis County District Attorney ("the DA"), the Travis County Attorney, and the Texas Department of Public Safety opposed the petition for expunction, arguing that M.M. did not meet the statutory criteria for expunction. After a hearing, the trial court granted M.M.'s petition. The DA appeals from the trial court's order.
We use an abuse-of-discretion standard in reviewing trial-court rulings on petitions for expunction. Heine v. Texas Dep't of Pub. Safety, 92 S.W.3d 642, 646 (Tex.App.-Austin 2002, pet. denied). A trial court abuses its discretion if it acts arbitrarily or unreasonably, without reference to guiding rules and principles of law. Cire v. Cummings, 134 S.W.3d 835, 838-39 (Tex.2004). We review the trial court's legal conclusions de novo because the trial court has no discretion in determining the meaning of the law or applying the law to the facts. See Texas Dep't of Pub. Safety v. Nail, 305 S.W.3d 673, 678 (Tex.App.-Austin 2010, no pet.).
When construing statutes, we use a de novo standard of review, and our primary objective is to ascertain and give effect to the legislature's intent. Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 312.005 (West 2005); F.F.P. Operating Partners, L.P. v. Duenez, 237 S.W.3d 680, 683 (Tex.2007). To discern that intent, we begin with the statute's words. Tex. Gov't Code Ann. §§ 312.002,.003 (West 2005); State v. Shumake, 199 S.W.3d 279, 284 (Tex.2006). If a statute uses a term with a particular meaning or assigns a particular meaning to a term, we are bound by the statutory usage. See Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 311.011 (West 2005); Texas Dep't of Transp. v. Needham, 82 S.W.3d 314, 318 (Tex.2002). Undefined terms in a statute are typically given their ordinary meaning, but if a different or more precise definition is apparent from the term's use in the context of the statute, we apply that meaning. In re Hall, 286 S.W.3d 925, 928-29 (Tex.2009). If a statute is unambiguous, we adopt the interpretation supported by its plain language unless such an interpretation would lead to absurd results that the legislature could not possibly have intended. Texas Dep't of Protective & Regulatory Servs. v. Mega Child Care, Inc., 145 S.W.3d 170, 177 (Tex.2004). We consider statutes as a whole rather than their isolated provisions. Texas Dep't of Transp. v. City of Sunset Valley, 146 S.W.3d 637, 642 (Tex.2004). We presume that the legislature chooses a
This appeal is governed by a former version of article 55.01 of the code of criminal procedure ("the expunction statute"), which sets out the requirements for expunction. See Act of May 28, 2003, 78th Leg., R.S., ch. 1236, § 1, 2003 Tex. Gen. Laws 3499, 3499 ("former art. 55.01") (amended 2011) (current version at Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 55.01 (West Supp. 2011)); Heine, 92 S.W.3d at 648. Expunction is neither a constitutional nor common-law right; rather, it is a statutory privilege. Ex parte S.C., 305 S.W.3d 258, 260 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.). "[A] person is entitled to expunction only when all statutory conditions have been met." Harris County Dist. Att'y v. Lacafta, 965 S.W.2d 568, 569 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1997, no pet.); see In re Wilson, 932 S.W.2d 263, 266 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1996, no writ). The trial court has no power to extend equitable relief beyond the clear meaning of the expunction statute. Texas Dep't of Pub. Safety v. J.H.J., 274 S.W.3d 803, 806 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, no pet.). The cause of action created by the expunction statute is civil rather than criminal in nature, and the burden of proving compliance with the statutory requirements rests with the petitioner. Houston Police Dep't v. Berkowitz, 95 S.W.3d 457, 460 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, pet. denied).
The version of article 55.01(a) in effect when M.M. sought to expunge the charges provided, in relevant part, as follows:
Former art. 55.01. The current version of subarticle 55.01(a)(2) differs from the former subarticle, but the introductory portion of the current version of subarticle 55.01(a) is identical to the former version. Compare Tex.Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art.
M.M. contends on appeal that the trial court did not err in granting her petition for expunction because she satisfied all of the requirements of the expunction statute with respect to her DWI and assault charges. She asserts that the unit of expunction is "the criminal conduct [that] forms the basis for a criminal charge," not the criminal conduct that forms the basis for an arrest, which could include several separate criminal charges. In other words, she contends that the legislature's use of the term "the arrest" in former subarticle 55.01(a) refers to each charge arising from the arrest and that her DWI and assault charges can therefore be divorced from the other charge and individually expunged.
Specifically under the circumstances of this case, we conclude that M.M. is not entitled to expunction of the DWI and assault charges because an indictment for the felony offense of assault of a public servant was presented against her in this case and was not dismissed, thus disqualifying her for expunction under former subarticle (a)(2)(A) of the statute as to any offense arising out of the transaction for which she was arrested. See former art. 55.01(a)(2)(A). Our conclusion is based on two determinations: (1) the felony indictment for assault of a public servant presented against M.M. and taken into consideration in sentencing her for the resisting-arrest charge was not dismissed, and (2) given that the indictment was not dismissed, M.M. is disqualified from expunction under former subarticle (a)(2)(A) for all charges arising from her arrest. We address each determination separately below.
In the trial court, M.M. admitted guilt as to the felony charge of assault of a public servant, and the trial court agreed
Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.45. The trial court later granted M.M.'s petition to expunge the felony charge, concluding that the charge had been dismissed when it was taken into consideration under section 12.45.
Although M.M. correctly points out that the State could no longer prosecute her on the assault charge under the terms of section 12.45, see id., that is not the same as a dismissal, see Black's Law Dictionary 537 (9th ed. 2009) (defining "dismissal" as "[t]ermination of an action or claim without further hearing, esp[ecially] before the trial of the issues involved"). To begin with, the record in this case does not contain a motion by the State seeking to dismiss the felony assault charge, and accordingly, there is no order dismissing the charge. Further, the plain language of section 12.45 does not include the word "dismissal" or otherwise suggest that an admitted offense under the statute should be or is dismissed at the time that it is taken into consideration in the sentencing of another offense. Moreover, unlike a dismissal in which there is a termination of the action without consideration of a defendant's guilt for the crime alleged, in this case, M.M.'s culpability for the felony assault charge was considered by the trial court in sentencing M.M. on the resisting-arrest charge. In light of the preceding, we must conclude that even though the State was not permitted to prosecute her for the admitted offense, that indictment was not dismissed and remained pending.
M.M. also references definitions of "dismissal" addressed in the DA's brief and argues that if the definitions apply to this case, then the trial court's consideration of the admitted offense pursuant to section 12.45 falls within the definitions. See State v. Moreno, 807 S.W.2d 327, 329, 332 (Tex.Crim.App.1991) (defining "dismisse[d]" as "effectively terminat[ing] the prosecution in favor of the defendant"); Harris County Dist. Attorney's Office v. R.R.R., 928 S.W.2d 260, 264 (Tex.App.-Houston
R.R.R. is also distinguishable from this case because there, the indictment presented against the defendant was quashed, and the prosecutor notified the defendant that the State would not reindict the defendant for that offense. 928 S.W.2d at 263. The two actions indicated to the R.R.R. court that there was an absence of probable cause. Id. at 264. Thus, R.R.R. was consistent with Moreno's definition of "dismissal" because in R.R.R., the proceedings against the defendant were terminated in the defendant's favor. Here, the trial court took no action on the felony indictment, and the felony proceedings were not terminated in M.M.'s favor.
Further, holding that an offense taken into account under section 12.45 constituted a dismissal under former subarticle (a)(2)(A) of the expunction statute would not be consistent with a primary purpose of the expunction statute, which is to permit the expunction of records of wrongful arrests. Harris County Dist. Attorney's Office v. J.T.S., 807 S.W.2d 572, 574 (Tex.1991); T.C.R. v. Bell County Dist. Attorney's Office, 305 S.W.3d 661, 671 (Tex.App.-Austin 2009, no pet.). When a defendant admits guilt as to an offense arising out of an arrest, she necessarily admits that she was not wrongfully arrested. See Ex parte P.D.H., 823 S.W.2d 791, 793 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1992, no writ) ("In the instant case, appellee pled guilty and by doing so admitted that she was not wrongfully arrested."); see also J.T.S., 807 S.W.2d at 574 ("[T]he expunction law clearly was not `intended to allow a person who is arrested, pleads guilty to an offense, and receives probation pursuant to a guilty plea to expunge arrest and court records concerning that offense.'" (quoting Texas Dep't of Pub. Safety v. Failla, 619 S.W.2d 215, 217 (Tex.Civ.App.-Texarkana 1981, no writ))). Here, M.M. admitted guilt as to the felony assault charge, and the offense was taken into account in sentencing her on the resisting-arrest charge. By admitting guilt as to the assault charge, she also admitted that her arrest was not wrongful. See P.D.H., 823 S.W.2d at 793; J.T.S., 807 S.W.2d at 574.
For all of the reasons given above, we hold that the trial court erred in determining that consideration of M.M.'s admission of guilt as to the assault charge in sentencing her on the resisting-arrest charge pursuant to section 12.45 constituted a "dismissal" of the assault charge under former subarticle (a)(2)(A) of the expunction statute.
Having determined that M.M.'s felony assault charge was not dismissed, we must also conclude that M.M. failed to satisfy former subarticle (a)(2)(A) of the expunction statute, which requires that any felony indictment presented as a result
Former art. 55.01(a), (a)(2)(A).
Neither party makes a specific argument regarding former subarticle (a)(2)(A) of the expunction statute. Rather, the parties focus on former subarticle (a)(2)(B) of the statute, which sets forth the second requirement that must be satisfied before a person is entitled to expunction. See id. (a)(2)(B). However, M.M. does not reach the second requirement because she does not satisfy the first requirement. As previously stated, we use a de novo standard of review in construing statutes and in reviewing the trial court's legal conclusions, and an individual is only entitled to expunction if she satisfies all of the statutory requirements. See F.F.P. Operating Partners, 237 S.W.3d at 683; Nail, 305 S.W.3d at 678; Lacafta, 965 S.W.2d at 569. Thus, regardless of the focus of the parties' briefs, we conclude that if M.M. fails to satisfy any of the requisites of the expunction statute, she is not entitled to expunction as a matter of law.
M.M. does not satisfy the first requirement of the expunction statute as set forth under former subarticle (a)(2)(A) because former subarticles (a) and (a)(2)(A) permit the expunction of records pertaining to the arrest, not to individual charges arising from the arrest. Specifically, former subarticle (a) sets forth the relief that will be granted to a person who meets the requirements of the statute, stating that a person is entitled to have "all records and files relating to the arrest expunged" (emphasis added) if the person meets the three requirements set forth in subparts (A), (B), and (C) of former subarticle (a)(2) of the statute. Thus, from the beginning of the statute, the plain language refers to "the arrest" and grants relief related to "the arrest," not to individual charges arising from the arrest.
The plain language in former subarticle (a)(2)(A) is consistent with that in former subarticle (a). Former subarticle (a)(2)(A) requires that:
Former art. 55.01(a)(2)(A) (emphasis added). Based on the italicized portion of the provision, a trial court may not expunge an arrest record if the transaction for which the person was arrested resulted in a felony indictment that was not dismissed. Thus, former subarticle (a)(2)(A) disqualifies a person from expunction for all charges arising from the arrest if any felony indictment was presented for any offense arising from the arrest. This meaning is made especially clear given the language of former subarticle (a), which refers only to "the arrest" and states that
To hold otherwise would require us to change various portions of the language in former subarticles (a) and (a)(2)(A). For example, we would first need to read subarticle (a) as authorizing the expunction of all records and files relating to "each charge arising from the arrest," rather than "the arrest." We would then need to read subarticle (a)(2)(A) as prohibiting the presentation of a felony indictment for "the charge the person is seeking to expunge" rather than for "an offense arising out of the transaction for which the person was arrested." As we previously stated, an individual must comply with all of the requirements in order to be entitled to expunction, and courts do not have equitable power to grant relief beyond the plain language of the expunction statute. S.C., 305 S.W.3d at 260; J.H.J., 274 S.W.3d at 806; Lacafta, 965 S.W.2d at 569. We cannot ignore or alter various portions of the language of the statute in order to achieve a construction that allows for the expunction of one of multiple charges arising from an arrest.
Further, allowing a person to expunge individual charges when there is no suggestion that the arrest that resulted in the charges was wrongful would be contrary to a primary purpose of the expunction statute, which is to allow the record of a wrongful arrest to be expunged, see J.T.S., 807 S.W.2d at 574. Here, M.M. admitted guilt as to the assault charge, was convicted of the resisting-arrest charge, and was not prosecuted for the DWI charge only because the county attorney abandoned the charge as part of a plea bargain. As previously stated, an admission of guilt as to an offense arising from an arrest is also an admission that the arrest was not wrongful.
We recognize that former subarticle (a)(2)(B) makes reference to the phrase "the charge" in setting forth the second requirement necessary for expunction, but under the circumstances of this case, M.M. does not reach the second requirement because she does not satisfy the first requirement. Even if she were not disqualified under the first requirement, a reference to "the charge" in one provision of the statute does not change the plain language of former subarticles (a) and (a)(2)(A), which are written from the perspective of "the arrest" and which are consistent with the primary purpose of the statute. Any conflict in the language of the statute must be resolved by the legislature, not the courts. If the legislature intends something different, it could amend the statute to authorize the expunction of all records and files relating to an individual charge, rather than an arrest, and could further clarify the requirements for expunction to make it clear that each charge may be expunged individually if it meets the necessary requirements, even if the arrest itself was not wrongful and even if the arrest resulted in a conviction on another charge.
In light of the foregoing, we reverse the trial court's expunction order and render judgment denying expunction for M.M.'s DWI and assault charges.