252nd District Court accepts guilty pleas, imposes probation and jail terms, and resets several cases

At a session of the 252nd District Court, the presiding judge accepted guilty pleas in multiple cases, issued sentences in several matters and reset others for sentencing or additional preparation.

Courtroom activity included both plea bargains the judge followed and open pleas that were taken and continued for presentence reports. The judge repeatedly ordered defendants who had made bond to try to hire private counsel and, if they could not, to consult with at least three attorneys before their next court date; failure to comply risked an increase in bond and return to custody.

Court decisions and filings announced from the bench included: Courtney Harris pleaded guilty to theft with prior convictions and, under a negotiated agreement approved by the court, was placed on a two-year deferred adjudicated probation, ordered to pay a $500 fine and to follow all conditions of probation; the judge waived a presentence report in that case and entered the judgment in accordance with the agreement.

Chelsea Bork pleaded guilty to fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and, per the parties' agreement accepted by the court, was sentenced to nine months in state jail; the judge provided the defendant with the trial-court certification reflecting a waiver of appeal and a written admonishment about ineligibility to possess firearms under Texas law.

James Bueller pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution; the court accepted the parties' agreement to a two-year deferred adjudication and ordered a $500 fine and conditions of probation. The judge waived a presentence report and entered the deferred adjudication as agreed.

The court accepted Richard Rogers’ plea of guilty to driving while intoxicated (third or more). The plea papers filed by the parties reflected a negotiated cap of 10 years that would be probated, with five years of probation and a $500 fine, plus an initial, short jail term the parties referenced; the judge found Rogers competent and accepted the plea but reset the case for sentencing so the probation department could prepare a presentence report.

Leroy Smith Jr. entered an open plea of guilty to criminal mischief with multiple prior convictions alleged by the state. The court accepted the plea, advised Smith of the full statutory punishment range given the enhancement allegations (including exposure to a sentence of between two and 20 years), found sufficient evidence to enter a finding of guilt and reset the matter for sentencing while ordering a presentence report.

Devonte (Davonte) Savoy pleaded guilty to tampering or fabricating physical evidence. The parties’ written agreement on the record indicated a disposition calling for a four-year deferred adjudication, a $300 fine and forfeiture of a weapon listed in the case; the judge accepted the plea, admitted the state's exhibit and reset the case for sentencing so probation could prepare a presentence report and the court could sign any necessary forfeiture order at that time.

Other docket activity included defendants rejecting plea offers and having cases set for trial, discovery disputes resolved by order where counsel reported production was complete, and several matters continued to allow defense counsel or prosecutors time to obtain records (for example, child-protective-services records) or to serve witnesses. In multiple initial-appearance matters the court reiterated that defendants who had made bond must either hire counsel or consult three attorneys and return with the names of lawyers they contacted.

The court instructed defendants to speak with probation before leaving the courtroom when a presentence report was ordered and set next-court dates or trial-docket dates as required. Several cases were continued so prosecutors and defense counsel could complete discovery or attempt to resolve cases before the next setting.