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  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
  • Vickie Polk  vs.  DeMarkus SandersMOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT document preview
						
                                

Preview

I DALLAS COUNTY 6/12/2018 11:10 AM FELICIA PITRE DISTRICT CLERK CAUSE NO. DC-17-17525 VICKIE POLK, IN THE DISTRICT COURT Plaintiff 1628? JUDICIAL DISTRICT DeMARKUS SANDERS, Defendants DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT AND REQUEST FOR HEARING THEREON OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, THAT THE COURT SUA SPONTE, REINSTATE THE CASE TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT: NOW COMES Vickie Polk, Plaintiff in the above- entitled and numbered cause, files this, Plaintiff’ s Motion for Reinstatement and Request for Hearing Thereon, Or, In the Altemative, That the Court Sua Sponte, Reinstate the Case, and in support of this motion would show unto the Court as follows: I This case arises out of a motor vehicle accident which occurred on or about April 9, 2016, which resulted in bodily injuries to Plaintiff. IL. When negotiations with the insurance company failed and the claim did not settle, alawsuit was filed on December 22, 2017. As per the process server's affidavit, service of process was attempted at 13 Bryan Court Mansfield, Texas 76063. Said personal service was unsuccessful as set forth in the Plaintiffs Motion for Substituted Service, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto and labeled as Exhibit 1 and which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth at length, which Plaintiff asks the Court to take judicial notice of. Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate 1) 01/16/18 - Wendy Santiago sent a message to Defendant on Facebook to contact her regarding legal papers. There was no response. 2) 03/13/18- Mrs. Santiago was contacted by Defendant and stated he would call the next day to discuss time and location for service. Defendant suggested service at his parent’s house located at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063. 3) On 03/16/18 @ 1:25 P.M. - Process server Wendy Santiago attempted to reach Defendant and left a detailed voicemail message. A) On 03/21/18@ 9:10 A.M. - Mrs. Santiago again attempted to reach Defendant and left a detailed voicemail message. 5) Finally, on 03/29/18 @ 8:00 A.M - Mrs. Santiago again attempted to reach Defendant and again left a detailed voicemail message. Til. On March 27, 2018, the Court issued a Notice of Intent of Intent to Dismiss (for failure to prosecute diligently), a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto and labeled as Exhibit 3, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein at length, therein stating in relevant patt, as follows: “Thisis not an oral hearing. Sulmission Hearing Date is set for 05/25/18 at 9:00 am, Your written response must be received by the C ourt 3 days before the above date and time.” On or about April 10, 2018, Plaintiff filed a response to the Notice of Intent to Dismiss via a Motion for Substituted Service, (Exhibit 1), therein detailing the repeated attempts to contact the defendant in order to serve him at the agreed upon location, to wit, his parents’ home. Unfortunately, the defendant reneged on the agreement to be served at his parents’ address. As the Notice of Intent to Dismiss was set by submission on May 25, 2018, Plaintiff’s counsel did not appear for any hearing thereon, because, he believed that no hearing would be had. on the matter. If your undersigned’s counsel’s belief was in error, it was not intentional or the result of conscious indifference but was the result of a mistake or accident. Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate On May 29, 2018, the Court signed an Order of Dismissal for Want of Prosecution, a tue and correct copy of whichis attached hereto and labeled as Exhibit4, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein at length. However, with all due respect to the Court, the order may be incorrect wherein it states that “Plaintiff(s) failed to file a written response’ . “and failed to appear at the dismissal hearing” Again, the Plaintiff filed a response via a Motion for Substituted Service. (Exhibit 1). And, the Plaintiff did not fail to appear at the dismissal hearing because there was no hearing as the matter was set by submission. (Exhibit 4). IV Argument and Authorities It is noted that a trial court can reinstate the case on its own initiative without a motion within thirty (30) days after dismissal. Request is hereby made for the C ourt to consider this option, without the need for hearing, within thirty (30) days of the Order of Dismissal for ‘Wantof Prosecution. Neesev. Wray, 893 S.W.2d 169, 170 (Tex.App.— Houston [1* Dist] 1995, no writ). In Texas DPS v. Deck, 954 S.W.2d 108, 111-112 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1997, no writ), the court held that it could not conclude that the trial court abused its discretion by reinstating the case and therein stated that in part that “[O]ther courts have found that a court, on its own, can reinstate a case after dismissal. See Stelter v. Langoria, 687 S.W.2d 498, 499 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1985, no writ) (noting that motion to reinstate does not have to be filed in order for court to reinstate case); cf. Charles L. Hardtke, Inc. *112 v. Katz, 813 S.W.2d 548, 550 (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] 1991, no writ) (determining that sua sponte docket entry by court was sufficient to order reinstatement of case previously dismissed). On the face of the present record, the court sua sponte reinstated the case. By reinstating the case on its own motion, the court was not Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate obligated under Rule 165a(3) to notify the DPS of an adversarial hearing since none was held nor ” necessaly. A trial court is authorized to dismiss a case for want of prosecution by mule of civil procedure 165a and by exercise of its inherent power to manage its docket. Villarreal v. San Antonio Truck & Equip., 994 S.W.2d 628, 630 (Tex. 1999). A trial court may dismiss a case under tule 165a on "failure of any party seeking affirmative relief to appear for any hearing or trial of which the party had notice" or when a case is "not disposed of within the time standards promulgated" by the supreme court. Tex. R. Civ. P. 165a(1), (2). The trial court also has the inherent power to dismiss, independent of the rules of civil procedure when a plaintiff fails to prosecute its case with diligence. Villareal, 994 S.W.2d at 630; Oliphant Fin., LLC v Galaviz, 299 S.W.3d 829, 839 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2009, no pet.). The trial court generally considers four factors before dismissing a case for want of prosecution: (1) the length of time a case has been on file; (2) the extent of activity in the case; (3) whether a trial setting was requested; and (4) the existence of reasonable excuses for the delay. WMC Mortg. Corp. v. Starkey, 200 S.W.3d 749, 752 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2006, pet. denied); Bilnoski v. Pizza Inn, Inc., 858 S.W.2d 55, 58 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, no writ). No single factor is dispositive. Vv. In the instant case, when the court served its Notice of Intent to Dismiss, the case had only been on file three (3) months and the statute of limitation had not yet expired. (It would have expired on Apnil 16, 2018). As per the citation, the citation was issued by the district clerk on December 29, 2017. However, as per the firm's records, it was not received via email by Plaintiff’ s firm until January 8, 2018, at which time, it was sent out for service. No trial setting had Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate been requested as of that date because it was a new case on which service had not been accomplished. VI. Any delay and inability in obtaining service is solely the fault of the defendant. To be quite blunt, it was the defendant that led the process server to believe that he could be served with process at his parents’ house located at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063. When that failed (due solely to the actions or omissions of the defendant), altemative means had to be attempted, which included Lexis/Nexis searches, and a vehicle registration search (which confirmed the address of 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063 as a good. address). And, when those attempts were unsuccessful, the decision was made to wait to see if the defendant renewed the registration on his vehicle which was set to expire at the end of February 2018, in the hopes that it might disclose a new or better address. Unfortunately, in March 2018, it was discovered that the defendant’s vehicle had been sold. Therefore, on April 10, 2018, as discussed hereinabove, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Substitute Service. But, no order was submitted with the motion, which wes not intentional or the result of conscious indifference but was a mistake or accident. (See the affidavit of Esther Aldaba, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto and which is labeled as Exhibit 2, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein at length). VIL. Whether a case is dismissed under rule 165a or the trial court's inherent power, the trial court must reinstate the case if it determines the failure of the party or his attomey "was not intentional or the result of conscious indifference but was due to an accident or mistake or that the failure has been otherwise reasonably explained." Emphasis added. Tex. R. Civ. P. 165a(3), (4). Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate A failure is not intentional or due to conscious indifference within the meaning of the rule merely because it is deliberate; it must also be without adequate justification. Emphasis added. Smith v. Babcock& Wilcox Constr. Co., 913 S.W.2d 467, 468 (Tex. 1995) (per curiam). Proof of accident, mistake, or other reasonable explanation negates the intent or conscious indifference for which reinstatement can be denied. Id. Also, conscious indifference means more than mere negligence. See also Johnson v. Hawkins, 255 S.W.3d 3%, 398 (Tex.App.—Dallas, 2008, pet. denied) (whether failure to appear was not intentional or the result of conscious indifference if fact-finding within the trial court’s discretion). VII. Plaintiffs counsel would show unto the Court that he (and former counsel with the same Plaintiff’s law firm) have clearly exercised due diligence in the prosecution of this case. All of the “filed” activity in the case is contained in the Court’s Docket Sheet, including, but not limited to, the following: 1) Lawsuit filed 2) Personal Service attempted at address (assigned to the license plate on Defendant’ vehicle) 3) Attempts by process server to serve with the consent of the defendant at parents’ address 4) Motion for Substituted Service In addition, also as set forth hereinabove, the following additional attempts were made to obtain another address for the defendant as follows: 1) Intemet searches; 2) The registration information on Defendant’s vehicle was checked and it was determined that the address for the defendant was indeed correct; Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate 3) When the official address for the defendant’s vehicle was monitored via vehicle registration records and it was determined that the registration was scheduled to be renewed at the end of February 2018, Plaintiff’s counsel waited to see if the vehicle was re-registered at the same address. Plaintiff’ s counsel contacted his colleague who advised that Defendant had sold the subject vehicle. 4) Plaintiff’s counsel’s colleague advised regarding the church where Defendant attended. However, that information could not be confirmed. x Aplaintiff is reasonably diligent if it acted as an ordinary, prudent person would have under the same or similar circumstances. Manning v. North, 82 S.W.3d 706 (Tex.App.—Amanillo 2002, no pet.). Asshown hereinabove, Plaintiff did what was reasonable under the circumstances. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays that this matter be set for hearing and that the Court reinstate this case, or, in the altemative, that the Court, sua sponte, sign an order reinstating the case within thirty (30) days of the signing of the Order of Dismissal for Want of Prosecution, and for such other and further relief to which Plaintiff may show herself to be justly entitled. Respectfully submitted, RASANSKY LAW FIRM /s/Joe P. Lopez, IV JEFFREY H. RASANSKY State Bar No. 16551150 jdawfirm.com JOE P. LOPEZ, IV State Bar No. 12566435 jlopez@jdawfirm.com Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate 2525 McKinnon, Suite 550 Dallas, TX 75201 Telephone: (214) 651-6100 Facsimile: (214) 651-6150 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate VERIFICATION STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF DALLAS § BEFORE ME, the undesigned notary public, on this day personally appeared, Joe P. Lopez. IV, who, after being duly sworn stated under oath, that he has read Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate. Or, In the Alternative, That the Court Sua Sponte, Reinstate the Case and that the statements contained in Roman Numerals I, II, and V, are within his personal knowledge, and are true and correct. - Po Taper, IV SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME on this the[ 7 day of June, 2018. PAOLA MESTA Notary 10 #129783803 My Commission Expires Youd, Wuntew Notary Public in and for the State of Texas May 21, 2022 Plaintiff's Motion to Reinstate FILED DALLAS COUNTY 4/10/2018 4:11 PM FELICIA PITRE DISTRICT CLERK CAUSE NO, DC-17-17525 VICKIE POLK, IN THE DISTRICT COURT Plaintiff § 162%? JUDICIAL DISTRICT DeMARKUS SANDERS, Defendants DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS PLAINTIFE’S MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTED SERVICE TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT: COMES NOW, VICKIE POLK (hereinafier “Plaintiff”), and files this, her Plaintiff's Motion for Substituted Service, pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure § 106(b), and in support thereof would respectfully show the Court the following: [ As stated in the affidavit of Wendy M. Santiago, Authorized Process Server. . attached hereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth for all purposes as Exhibit A. Defendant's parents reside at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield. Texas 76063. i. As set forth in the attached affidavit of Wendy M. Santiago, she communicated with Defendant, DeMARKUS SANDERS, on the following occasions: 1) 01/16/18 — Mrs, Santiago sent a message to Defendant on Facebook to contact her regarding legal papers. There was no response. 2) 03/13/18 — Mrs. Santiago was contacted by Defendant and stated he would call the next day to discuss time and location for service. Defendant suggested service at his parent’s house located at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063. Ftaintill’s Plaintiff's Motion Motion for stituted Service for Substituted Service 3) On 03/16/18 @ 1:25 P.M. ~ Mrs. Santiago attempted to reach Defendant and left a detailed voicemail message. 4) On 03/21/18 @ 9:10 A.M. — Mrs. Santiago again attempted to reach Defendant and left a detailed voicemail message. 5) Finally, on 03/29/18 @ 8:00 A.M — Mrs, Santiago again attempted to reach Defendant and again lett a detailed voicemail message. It is clear that Wendy M. Santiago has made sufficient investigation to conclude that Defendant's parents reside at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063, and that affixing a copy of the citation and petition to the residence will be sufficient to apprise the Defendant of the existence and nature of the lawsuit against him. In the alternative, a person over the age of sixteen (16) at the residence can be entrusted with the documents. It is the opinion of Mrs. Santiago, a certified process server, that cither of these methods of service would be sufficient to give Defendant notice of the claims against him. TIL. In March, 2018, Plaintiffs counsel's colleague also attempted to locate Defendant via Texas vehicle registration system which indicated that Defendant had sold the vehicle which was involved in the accident which made the basis of this lawsuit and therefore no additional information was obtained. Pursuant to TEXAS RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 106(b), service on Defendant DeMARKUS SANDERS should be effected by leaving a copy of the citation, with a copy of the petition attached. with anyone over the age of sixteen (16) at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063, or by affixing a copy of the citation, with a copy of the petition attached. to the door at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Texas 76063. Plaintiff's Motion for Substituted Service Page 2 WIHTEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court order service upon Defendant DeMARKUS SANDERS by ordering substituted service under Rule 106(b) of the TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE or in such other manner as the Court finds would be reasonably effective to give Defendant DoeMARKUS SANDERS notice of this suit, and that a true copy of such order for substituted service be attached to and included with the Citation and Petition to be so served. PRAYER Plaintiff prays that the Court grant this Motion for Substituted Service, pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure § 106(b), and for such other and further relief to which she may show herself justly entitled. Respectfully submitted, RASANSKY LAW FIRM /s/ Joe P. Lopez, IV JEFFREY H. RASANSKY State Bar No. 16551150 jrasansky@jrlawfirm.com JOE P. LOPEZ, IV State Bar No. 12566435 jlopez@jrlawfirm.com 2525 McKinnon, Suite $50 Dallas, TX 75201 Telephone: (214) 651-6100 Facsimile: (214) 651-6150 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF Plaintiff's Motion for Substituted Service Page 3 Affidavit in Support of Motion for Substitute Service State of Texas County of Dallas 162nd Judicial District Court Case Number: 0C-17-17525 Plaintiff. Vickie Polk vs. Defendant: DeMarkus Sanders For: Justin H. King Rasansky Law Firm 2525 McKinnon Street Suite 550 Dallas, TX 75201 Received by Elite Deposition Technologies on the 21st day of March, 2018 at 4:53 pm to be served on DeMarkus Dion Sanders, 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, TX 76963. I : Wendy M. Santiago, being duly sworn, depose and say that on the 28th day of March, 2018 at 8:00 am, f deemed it impractical to personal y deliver the Citation and Plaintiff's Original Petition and Requests for Disclosure to the named defendant DeMarkus Dion Sanders in the above numbered and styled cause, | have attempted to make personal delivery to DeMarkus Dion Sanders, at his/her place of Abode, being 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Tarrant County, TX 76063 which was established personally in my efforts. | believe the Defendant can and will be given notice of these proceedings by delivering to anyone over the age of sixteen (16) at 13 Bryan Court, Mansfield, Tarrant County, TX 76063 or by securly fastening to the front door of said Abode, Additional Information pertaining to this Service: On January 16, 2078 at 11:08 am, | sent a messa gé to DeMarkus Sanders on Facebook to please contact me regarding legal papers. Mr. Sanders' Facebook page indicates he lives in Mansfield, Texas. On March 13, 2018, Mr. Sanders contacted me from (817) 361 -2862. He stated he was currently living in Arlington. He stated he would contact me the next day to arrai nigé a time and location for service. He suggested service at his parents’ house located at 13 Bryan Ci ‘curt, Mansfield, Texas 76063. | attempted to contact Mr. Sanders on several occasions since that March 14, 2018 and he has not returned any calls. 3/16/2018 1:25 pm | attempted to reach Mr. Sanders at {817} 361-2862. | left a detailed veicemait message. 3/21/2018 9:10 am | attempted to reach Mr. Sanders at (817} 361-2862. | left a detailed voicemail message. 3/29/2018 8:60 ami | attempted te reach Mr. Sanders at (817) 361-2862. / left a detailed voicemail Affidavit in Support of Motion for Substitute Service For DC-17-17525 | certify that | am over the age of 18, have no interest in the above action, and am authorized to serve pursuant to Rule 103 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Supreme Court of Texas Order. Before me, a notary public, on this day personally appeared the above named person. known to me to lings Wendy M. Santi: igo be the person whose name is subscribed te the PSC#12491, Exp. 2/29/2020 foregoing decument and, being by me first duly sworn, declared that the statements therein Elite Deposition Technologies contained are within his/her personal knowledge and 400 N. Saint Paul Street experience to be true and correct. Given under my Suite 1110 Mand and $@di of office on the 9th day of April, 2018 Dallas, TX 75204 Lt 4 NOTARY PUBLIC Our Job Serial Number: EDE-2048000020 Ref: Poik v. Sanders Copyright 108 18 Datatass Serices, inc, - Process Sarvae's Tesibox VP 2a ey, s AMADO SANTIAGO. Notary Public, State of Texas) Comm. Expires 04-04-2021 % eae Notary 1D 128375816 i Ne AFFIDAVIT OF ESTHER ALDABA Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared the undersigned affiant, who. being by me duly sworn, deposed as follows: “My name is Esther Aldaba, I am over the age of 18 and am fully competent to make this affidavit. | have never been convicted of a felony and I am of sound mind, capable of making this affidavit, and have personal knowledge of the facts herein stated all of which are true and correct.’ “Lam a paralegal at Rasansky Law Firm for Plaintiff's counsel, Joe P. Lopez, IV.” “On April 10, 2018, I inadvertently failed to file a proposed order along with Plaintiff's Motion for Substituted Service. On May 23, 2018, I made a telephone call to the Court and spoke with a clerk for the 162" Judicial District of Dallas. As a result of that conversation, my understanding was that Mr. Joe P. Lopez, IV, Plaintiff's counsel was not required to attend the submission hearing on May 25, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. as long as a written response to Notice of Intent to Dismiss had been filed with the Court.” “On May 31,2018, I logged onto the Dallas County Court’s website and noticed that the case had been dismissed so | immediately called the Court and 1 spoke with Melinda Thomas, Court Coordinator for the 162" Judicial District of Dallas to inquire why the case was dismissed, Based upon my conversation with her, my understanding was that although we had filed Plaintiff's Motion for Substituted Service, we did not file a proposed order, which would have taken care of the case not being dismissed But, since no proposed order was on file with the Court there was nothing for the judge to sign and therefore, the case was dismissed.” “My failure to file a proposed order was not intentional or the result of conscious indifference but was the result of accident or mistake.” ON, Ql cba ESTHER ALDABA SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me the |‘2. day of JUN . 2018, to certify which witness my hand and seal of office. KS TR PAOLA MESTA sx NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR \\ Notary ID #129783803 AL «| My Commission Expires THE STATE OF TEXAS OEE May 22, 2022 In The District Court of Dallas County, Texas 162nd District Court March 27, 2018 JUSTIN H KING 2525 MCKINNON STREET SUITE 550 DALLAS TX 75201 IN RE: DC-17-17525 Vickie Polk vs. DeMarkus Sanders Notice of Intent to Dismiss Please take notice that, pursuant to Rule 165a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and that the Court’s inherent power, the Court intends to dismiss the above captioned action for want of prosecution for one or more of the following reasons: Failure to provide judgment following announcement of settlement pursuant to Local Rules. Failure to prosecute diligently. (obtain service and/or file Motion for Default Judgment timely) Failure to submit Judgment after jury or non-jury trial. Other reasons reflected in file. This is not an oral hearing. Submission Hearing Date is set for 05/25/2018 at 9:00 AM. Your written response must be received by the Court 3 days before the above date and time. Failure to show good cause why this case should be continued on the Court’s docket will result in dismissal. Sincerely, Maricela Moore District Judge 600 Commerce Street — Room 740 — George L, Allen, Sr., Courts Building— Dallas, Texas 75202 - 214-653-7156 —s DC-17-17525 Vickie Polk In the District Court vs. Dallas County, Texas DeMarkus Sanders 162nd District Court ORDER OF DISMISSAL FOR WANT OF PROSECUTION Plaintiff(s) failed to file a written response to this court’s letter of MARCH 27, 2018, and failed to appear at the dismissal hearing set by the same letter. The court has therefore determined that the cause should be dismissed for want of prosecution. It is therefore, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that this cause be and is hereby DISMISSED and that all court costs shall be taxed against the Plaintiff(s), for which let execution issue. It is further ORDERED that execution may issue in favor of the officers of the court against said party or parties, for all costs by each incurred. Signed this the 2A day of MAY, 2018. cela Moore. Juige Presiding ce: All Counsel of Record and/or Pro Se Litigant(s)