In the
Court of Appeals
Second Appellate District of Texas
at Fort Worth
No. 02-25-00171-CR
No. 02-25-00172-CR
DAMORIAN DANTE HALL, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS
On Appeal from the 297th District Court
Tarrant County, Texas
Trial Court Nos. 1474436D, 1493382D
Before Sudderth, C.J.; Wallach and Walker, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Wallach
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant Damorian Dante Hall appeals the trial court’s judgments adjudicating
his guilt after revoking his deferred adjudication community supervision. We affirm
the trial court’s judgment as modified.
I. Procedural Background
In 2018, pursuant to a plea agreement, Hall pled guilty (in trial court cause
number 1474436D) to aggravated robbery and (in cause number 1493382D) to
indecency with a child by exposure. The trial court placed him on seven years’
deferred adjudication with a $700 fine in each case.
Within months, the State petitioned to proceed to adjudication in both cases,
alleging that Hall had violated multiple terms and conditions of his community
supervision.1 At the hearing on the State’s amended petitions, Hall pled “true” to all
the paragraphs but one—which the State then abandoned—in each of the amended
petitions.
The trial court accepted Hall’s pleas of true and sentenced him to ten years’
imprisonment in the indecency case and fifteen years’ imprisonment in the robbery
case. The trial court did not orally pronounce a fine at that time; however, its
judgment in the indecency case includes a $700 fine, and its judgment in the robbery
case includes a $659 fine. Each judgment also includes a “Special Finding” that Hall
1
The State later amended its petition in each case. The specific allegations in the petitions are not at issue in this appeal.
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owes reparations in the amount of $415 (in the indecency case) and $4,718 (in the
robbery case). Further, the judgment in the robbery case reflects that Hall is ordered
to pay $2,560 in “Reimbursement Fees.” Hall timely filed a notice of appeal in each
case, and the trial court appointed him appellate counsel.
II. Anders Brief and Motion to Withdraw
With a supporting brief, Hall’s court-appointed appellate attorney has moved to
withdraw as counsel. See Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744–45, 87 S. Ct. 1396,
1400 (1967). Counsel’s brief and motion meet the requirements of Anders, which
requires presenting a professional evaluation of the record and demonstrating why
there are no arguable grounds for reversal. Id., 87 S. Ct. at 1400. Hall’s counsel
provided him with a copy of the Anders brief and his motion to withdraw, notified
him by letter of his right to file a pro se response and to file a petition for
discretionary review in the Court of Criminal Appeals, and provided him with a form
motion for pro se access to the appellate record. Hall did not file the form motion or
a pro se response in this court.
Although he argues in his Anders brief that “this appeal is non-meritorious,”
Hall’s counsel directs our attention to “issues pertaining to the trial court’s assessment
of outstanding fines, fees, [and] reparations.” He contends that the fines and
reparation orders should be deleted from the judgments and that the trial court
abused its discretion by ordering Hall to pay reimbursement for attorney’s fees
because the trial court did not find that there had been a material change in Hall’s
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financial circumstances.2 The State did not file a brief but instead filed a letter stating
that it agrees with Hall’s counsel that Hall has no meritorious grounds upon which to
advance an appeal in this case and that it “further agrees with [Hall]’s counsel
regarding the fines and reimbursement fees.” 3 With one exception, so do we.
III. Our Analysis
We have independently examined the record, as is our duty upon the filing of
an Anders brief. See Stafford v. State, 813 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991);
Mays v. State, 904 S.W.2d 920, 923 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1995, no pet.); see also
Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 82–83, 109 S. Ct. 346, 351 (1988). After carefully reviewing
the record, we have determined that—other than some correctable errors in the
judgments and bills of costs pertaining to fines and other improper assessments—the
appeal is wholly frivolous and without merit. Our independent review of the record
reveals nothing further that might arguably support the appeal. See Bledsoe v. State,
178 S.W.3d 824, 827–28 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); see also Meza v. State, 206 S.W.3d 684,
685 n.6 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
2
The court appreciates counsel’s diligence and earnest evaluation of the record for any discernable error. In the future, court-appointed counsel practicing before this court are welcome to file a merits brief if the only issue on appeal is clerical error requiring modification, but not reversal, of the trial court’s judgment.
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The State’s letter does not expressly address the reparations. For the reasons below, we will modify the judgments to delete the fines in both cases and the reimbursement fees and the reparations in the robbery case, but we will not delete the $415 in reparations in the indecency case.
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A. The Fines
When an accused receives deferred adjudication community supervision, no
sentence is imposed. Taylor v. State, 131 S.W.3d 497, 502 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).
Then, when guilt is adjudicated, the judgment adjudicating guilt sets aside the order
deferring adjudication, including any previously imposed fine. Id. When a variation
exists between the oral pronouncement of sentence at adjudication and the written
memorialization of the sentence, the oral pronouncement controls. Id.
Because the trial court did not orally pronounce any fine at the time it revoked
Hall’s community supervision, adjudicated him guilty of the underlying offense, and
sentenced him, the judgments must be modified to delete the fines. See id.; see also
Demerson v. State, No. 02-18-00003-CR, 2018 WL 3580893, at *3 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth July 26, 2018, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
B. The “Reimbursement Fees” in the Robbery Case
We may modify a trial court’s judgment to correct clerical errors that contradict
the record. Alexander v. State, 496 S.W.2d 86, 87 (Tex. Crim. App. 1973); see Bray v.
State, 179 S.W.3d 725, 726 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.) (holding that an
appellate court has the authority to modify a judgment in an Anders appeal). Because
“[o]nly statutorily authorized court costs may be assessed against a criminal
defendant,” Johnson v. State, 423 S.W.3d 385, 389 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014), we may
modify the bill of costs to reflect the appropriate statutory costs and to delete
improper charges. See id. at 396.
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Here, the bill of costs in the robbery case clarifies that the $2,560 in
“Reimbursement Fees” listed in the judgment is for attorney’s fees under Code of
Criminal Procedure Article 26.05. Article 26.05(g) “requires a present determination
of financial resources,” and the defendant’s financial resources and ability to pay are
explicit, critical elements in the trial court’s determination of the propriety of ordering
reimbursement of costs and fees. Cates v. State, 402 S.W.3d 250, 251–
52 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).
Although the record indicates that Hall initially had retained counsel after first
being charged with aggravated robbery back in 2016, that counsel withdrew in 2018.
Hall was then appointed counsel, who was his attorney at the time of his guilty plea.
He also had court-appointed counsel in the revocation proceeding. Nothing in the
record shows that Hall had the ability to pay attorney’s fees when he originally pled
guilty or when his community supervision was revoked.4 Accordingly, we delete the
$2,560 in “Reimbursement Fees” from the judgment and the corresponding
attorney’s-fee charge from the bill of costs in the robbery case. See Ruyle v. State,
No. 02-24-00199-CR, 2025 WL 938131, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 27, 2025,
no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
We also strike as premature the $25 time-payment fee listed in the bill of costs
and incorporated into the order to withdraw funds from Hall’s inmate trust account.
We note that all the orders appointing Hall counsel, including appellate
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counsel, reflect his “Indigency Status” as “Full.”
6
Due to Hall’s offense date, we apply the former version of the time-payment-fee
statute. 5 The Court of Criminal Appeals has held that “[t]he pendency of an appeal
stops the clock for purposes of the time[-]payment fee.” Dulin v. State, 620 S.W.3d
129, 133 (Tex. Crim. App. 2021). Thus, imposition of the time-payment fee against
Hall is premature because Hall’s timely appeal tolled the time for him to pay the court
costs re-imposed in the judgment. See Garza v. State, No. 02-20-00155-CR,
2022 WL 488933, at *3–4 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Feb. 17, 2022, no pet.) (mem op.,
not designated for publication). The assessment of the time-payment fee against Hall
should accordingly be deleted without prejudice to future assessment if, more than
thirty days after mandate issues, Hall has failed to fully pay any other court cost
imposed. See Dulin, 620 S.W.3d at 133; Garza, 2022 WL 488933, at *4.
5
Former Local Government Code Section 133.103 provided that
a person convicted of an offense shall pay . . . a fee of $25 if the person:
(1) has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor; and (2) pays any part
of a fine, court costs, or restitution on or after the 31st day after the date
on which a judgment is entered assessing the fine, court costs, or
restitution.
Act of June 2, 2003, 78th Leg., R.S., ch. 209, 2003 Tex. Gen. Laws 979, 996–97, redesignated as Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 102.030. The redesignated section became effective on January 1, 2020, and applies only to convictions with offense dates on or after that date. See Act of May 23, 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., ch. 1352, §§ 2.54, 4.40(33), 5.01, 5.04, 2019 Tex. Gen. Laws 3981, 4010, 4035. Because Hall’s offenses were committed in 2016 and 2018, the former statute applies.
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C. The Reparations
We have previously held that when reparations are comparable to fees—and
are therefore not punishment and not part of a defendant’s sentence—they do not
have to be included in the trial court’s oral pronouncement of sentence to be properly
included in the written judgment. See Brown v. State, No. 02-08-00063-CR,
2009 WL 1905231, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth July 2, 2009, no pet.) (per curiam)
(mem. op., not designated for publication). To include such fees, however, the State
must supply evidence that the defendant actually owes them. Lewis v. State,
423 S.W.3d 451, 460–61 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013, pet. ref’d); see also Romo v.
State, No. 02-23-00197-CR, 2024 WL 1100790, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth
Mar. 14, 2024, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication). Thus, we have
struck reparations when we were unable to determine the authority for their
imposition. See Lewis, 423 S.W.3d at 461; see also Harris v. State, No. 02-25-00173-CR,
2026 WL 1041694, at *1–2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Apr. 16, 2026, no pet.) (mem.
op., not designated for publication) (collecting cases, including Lewis and Romo).
Here, the trial court’s judgment in the robbery case includes a “Special
Finding” ordering Hall to pay $4,718 in reparations. However, the trial court did not
orally pronounce these reparations at sentencing, and there is nothing in the record
itemizing them or explaining their purpose. Outside of the judgment itself, the only
record reference to “reparations” is found in a docket entry dated May 27, 2025—the
day of the revocation hearing. In pertinent part, this entry states, consistent with the
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judgment, “REPARATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,718.00 PAYABLE.”
Further, although it does not use the word “reparations,” the order to withdraw funds
dated June 3, 2025, states that Hall “currently has incurred court fees and costs in the
District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, as above entitled and represented in the
certified Judgment and Bill of Costs attached hereto in the amount of $8,251.00.”
This number equals the sum total of the $4,718 in reparations; the $2,560 in attorney’s
fees; the $659 fine; and the $314 in court costs reflected in the judgment. However,
the record contains no other evidence showing that Hall actually owes any reparations
and no support for the $4,718 amount.
On this record, there is nothing that would allow us to determine what portion
of the $4,718, if any, is for fines—which must be orally pronounced at sentencing—
and what portion is merely for fees and costs. Compare Bradley v. State,
No. 02-17-00009-CR, 2017 WL 5895350, at *1 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 30,
2017, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (modifying judgment
adjudicating guilt to delete fine where trial court did not include fine in its oral
pronouncement of sentence at probationer’s revocation hearing), with Brown,
2009 WL 1905231, at *2 (holding that reparations need not be orally pronounced
when they are comparable to fees).
Unlike the record in the robbery case, however, the record in the indecency
case contains some support for the $415 in reparations that Hall was ordered to pay.
A “Revocation Restitution / Reparation Balance Sheet” filed May 27, 2025, breaks
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down the $415 in reparations as $10 “Due to CSCD - CRIME STOPPERS” and
$405 “Due to CSCD - SEX OFFENDER SPECIAL FEE.” The record also reflects
that Hall was ordered to pay “CRIME STOPPERS . . . the amount of $20.00” in
2018 and “a sex offender fee of $5.00 each month” as conditions of his deferred
adjudication community supervision. We have previously held that such a “Balance
Sheet” supports a reparations award where the record also reflects that the fees
itemized in the Balance Sheet were fees that the appellant was ordered to pay as a
condition of his probation. See Hongpathoum v. State, 578 S.W.3d 213, 217 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2019, no pet.);6 see also Garza, 2022 WL 488933, at *2–3 & n.2; Levine v.
State, No. 02-19-00414-CR, 2020 WL 5414974, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Sept.
10, 2020, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (clarifying that although
“evidentiary-sufficiency principles do not apply to reparations,” the reparations
“must . . . have some sort of record support”). We similarly hold that the record in the
indecency case supports the $415 that Hall was ordered to pay in reparations.
IV. Disposition and Conclusion
In appellate cause number 02-25-00171-CR (the robbery case), we modify the
judgment to delete the $659 fine, the $2,560 in “Reimbursement Fees,” and the
$4,718 in reparations. We also modify the robbery case’s bill of costs to strike the
6
As we wrote in Hongpathoum, “[c]ommunity supervision” and “probation” are synonymous and generally used interchangeably. 578 S.W.3d at 214 n.1 (quoting Maslyk v. State, No. 02-16-00295-CR, 2017 WL 2289098, at *1 n.2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth May 25, 2017, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication)).
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$2,560 reimbursement and $25 time-payment line items and to reflect that Hall owes
nothing in reimbursement fees. We will strike the time-payment fee without prejudice,
however, because it may be assessed if Hall fails to completely pay his other court
costs more than thirty days after the issuance of the appellate mandate in this case.
See Dulin, 620 S.W.3d at 133. We modify the order to withdraw funds from Hall’s
inmate trust account to reduce the amount of court fees and costs that Hall owes to
$289.
In appellate cause number 02-25-00172-CR (the indecency case), we modify the
judgment to delete the $700 fine. We also modify the order to withdraw funds from
Hall’s inmate trust account to reduce the amount of court fees and costs that Hall
owes to $1,054. 7
Except for these necessary modifications, we agree with Hall’s appointed
counsel that this appeal is wholly frivolous and without merit. See Bledsoe, 178 S.W.3d
at 827–28. We grant counsel’s motion to withdraw; modify the judgments, the orders
to withdraw, and—in the robbery case only—the bill of costs to reflect the above
deletions; and affirm the judgments as modified. See Tex. R. App. P. 43.2(b); Bray,
179 S.W.3d at 729.
This amount equals the sum total of the $639 in court costs and $415 in
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reparations.
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/s/ Mike Wallach
Mike Wallach
Justice
Publish
Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b)
Delivered: June 25, 2026
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