Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972). · Go Syfert
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all nonjurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived.”
389 citation events (94 in the last 25 years) across 3 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: State of Texas v. Chupik, Randall (texcrimapp, 2011-06-15) · Strongest negative: Harris v. State (texapp, 2004-10-14)
Treatment trajectory · 1975 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1975 2000 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
cited Overruled Harris v. State
Tex. App. · 2004 · confidence high
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972), overruled by Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656, 666-67 (Tex.Crim.App.2000).
discussed Abrogated Jacobson, Jonathan (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. Crim. App. · 2013 · signal: see · confidence high
See Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972), abrogated by Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000).
discussed Abrogated Curry v. State (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Tex. App. · 2007 · confidence high
In 1972, the Court of Criminal Appeals held that "[w]here a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972), abrogated by Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656 (Tex.Crim.App.2000).
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) State of Texas v. Chupik, Randall
Tex. Crim. App. · 2011 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all nonjurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) State v. Chupik (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Tex. Crim. App. · 2011 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all nonjurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lyon v. State (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. Crim. App. · 1994 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
we find the foregoing evidence sufficient to support the conviction under art. 1.15, v.a.c.c.p.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gary Carson v. State
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carson, Gary
Tex. Crim. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
In 1972, this Court held in Helms v. State, that where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects, including claimed deprivations of federal due process, are waived.1 The Helms rule discouraged guilty pleas because it forced a defendant to go to a full trial on the merits if he wanted to preserve issues for appeal.2 In response to Helms, the legislature amended Article 44.02 in 1977 to add this proviso, which created a somewhat different rule for plea bargains: . . . provided, however, before the defendant who has been convicted upon either his ple…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bland, Timothy
Tex. Crim. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
P. 25.2(a)(2)(A). 25 See Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lovill v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
At the time, the Helms rule applied as follows: “Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived.” Id. at 660 (citing Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 926 (Tex.Crim.App.1972)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Salvador Santos Hernandez v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
App. 1995) ("A nonnegotiated guilty plea is conclusive as to the defendant's guilt and waives all nonjurisdictional defects occurring prior to the guilty plea.") (citing Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Salvador Santos Hernandez v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
App. 1995) (“A nonnegotiated guilty plea is conclusive as to the defendant’s guilt and waives all nonjurisdictional defects occurring prior to the guilty plea.”) (citing Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ex Parte: Amber Lovill
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
At the time, the Helms rule applied as follows: "Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." Id. at 660 (citing Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 926 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ex Parte: Amber Lovill
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
At the time, the Helms rule applied as follows: “Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed 12 deprivation of federal due process are waived.” Id. at 660 (citing Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 926 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Shawn Odneal v. State
Tex. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
The Court in Helms held that "where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." Helms , 484 S.W.2d at 927 (clarified by Young v. State , 8 S.W.3d 656 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Odneal v. State
Tex. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
The Court in Helms held that "where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understanding^ made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived.” Helms, 484 S.W.2d at 927 (clarified by Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656 (Tex.Crim.App.2000)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Zaid Albana v. State
Tex. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
In Helms v. State , the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that, "Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Melvin Otto Nolly, Jr. A/K/A Melvin O. Nolly, Jr. v. State
Tex. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
A. Young and Its Lineage Nolly entered an open plea of guilty (a non-negotiated guilty plea), and because Nolly’s error is non-jurisdictional in nature, the Helms rule is implicated. (footnote: 3) See Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Larry Edgar Harris v. State
Tex. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Griffin v. State
Tex. Crim. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
In 1972, this Court held in Helms v. State that "[w]here a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Griffin v. State
Tex. Crim. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
In 1972, this Court held in Helms v. State that “[w]here a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived.” Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Griffin, James Edwin
Tex. Crim. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
In 1972, this Court held in Helms v. State that "[w]here a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Juan Saldana Jr. v. State
Tex. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ramiro Rivas Mojeda A/K/A Ramiro R. Mojeda v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ramiro Rivas Mojeda A/K/A Ramiro R. Mojeda v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Phillip E. Tipton v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Phillip E. Tipton v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Joshua Allen Sample v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Joshua Allen Sample v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
App. 2000); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ramirez v. State
Tex. App. · 2002 · confidence medium
Flowers v. State, 935 S.W.2d 131, 133 (Tex.Crim.App.1996); Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.App.1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Brink v. State
Tex. App. · 2002 · confidence medium
Flowers v. State, 935 S.W.2d 131, 133 (Tex.Crim.App.1996); Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Egger v. State
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
Helms Rule as Modified by Young In Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972), the court of criminal appeals held that when a plea of guilty or nolo contendere is entered without the benefit of a plea bargain, all nonjurisdic-tional defects occurring prior to the entry of the plea are waived.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Lenox v. State
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972), overruled, Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656, 666 (Tex.Crim.App.2000).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Guerrero v. State (3×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Castellano v. State
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
We note that appellant did not waive his right to appeal the voluntariness of his plea under Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Castellano, Rolando v. State
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
We note that appellant did not waive his right to appeal the voluntariness of his plea under Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Robuck v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
APPLICATION OF YOUNG v. STATE In Young v. State , the Court of Criminal appeals reconsidered the " Helms Rule" which provided that, "Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." 8 S.W.3d at 656 (quoting Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bradshaw v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
APPLICATION OF YOUNG v. STATE In Young v. State , the Court of Criminal appeals reconsidered the "Helms Rule" which provided that, "Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived." 8 S.W.3d at 656 (quoting Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Brasfield v. State
Tex. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jones v. State
Tex. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
See Young v. State, 8 S.W.3d 656, 666-67 (Tex.Crim.App.2000); Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brasfield v. State (2×)
Tex. Crim. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972) ....
examined Cited as authority (rule) Young v. State (4×)
Tex. Crim. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
In this case we reconsider the " Helms Rule" that, "Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived," Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Cr.App.1972). *657 I.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Burke v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
See Jack v. State, 871 S.W.2d 741, 743 (Tex.Crim.App.1994); Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Thomas v. State
Tex. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
See Jack v. State, 871 S.W.2d 741, 743-44 (Tex.Crim.App.1994) (per curiam); Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Brasfield v. State
Tex. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972); see Jack v. State, 871 S.W.2d 741, 744 (Tex.Crim.App.1994).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. State
Tex. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Melton v. State
Tex. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
Although an open plea of guilty waives all nonjurisdictional defects that occur prior to entry of the plea, Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972), the waiver rule is predicated on a knowing and voluntary plea.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Valle v. State
Tex. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
Lewis v. State, 911 S.W.2d 1, 4-5 (Tex.Crim.App.1995); Jack v. State, 871 S.W.2d 741, 744 (Tex.Crim.App. 1994); Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) George Louis Duke v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
App. 1987); Helms v. State , 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hohn v. State
Tex. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
Helms v. State, 484 S.W.2d 925, 927 (Tex.Crim.App.1972).
Willie Horace HELMS, Jr., Appellant,
v.
the STATE of Texas, Appellee
45416.
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
Jul 26, 1972.
484 S.W.2d 925
Abney, Burleson, Bondies, Conner & Mills by Phil Burleson, and James A. Mills, Jr., Dallas, for appellant., Doug Crouch, Dist. Atty., and Charles E. Webb and Roger Crampton, Asst. Dist. Attys., Fort Worth, Jim D. Vollers, State’s Atty., Robert A. Huttash, Asst. State’s Atty., Austin, for the State.
Davis.
Cited by 311 opinions  |  Published

OPINION

DAVIS, Commissioner.

This is an appeal from a conviction for possession of marihuana. The appellant, after being duly admonished, entered a plea of guilty before the court and punishment was assessed at seven years.

At the outset, appellant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support the conviction. Appellant urges Drain v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 465 S.W.2d 939 and Elliott v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 466 S.W.2d 562 for the proposition that the oral stipulations dictated into the record by the State in the instant case cannot be considered as evidence to support the plea of guilty. The record reflects that appellant was tried on May 19, 1971 prior to the June 15, 1971 effective date of the amendment to Art. 1.15, Vernon’s Ann.C.C.P., providing for oral stipulations. [1] Thus, the conviction herein could not stand if it .were dependent upon oral stipulations.

The record reflects that appellant and his counsel, in open court, entered into a written agreement with the State to stipulate testimony in which appellant waived the confrontation and cross-examination of witnesses and further agreed “and the Defendant further consents to the introduction of testimony by affidavit, written statements of witnesses, and all other documentary evidence that may be introduced by the State.” The State introduced into evidence a Texas Department of Public Safety case report which[*927] purports to contain a narrative statement of the evidence in this case. The document recites the obtaining of the search warrant, the entry of appellant’s house, the finding of a package wrapped with brown paper believed to contain two pounds of marihuana, the discovery of 16 plastic bags in a larger brown paper bag believed to contain marihuana, the delivery of the evidence found in appellant’s house to Mr. Tullis at the Fort Worth Crime Laboratory, and the further recital that “Mr. Tullis would testify that leafy substance was marihuana.” At the beginning of the report, the names of the witnesses are listed and, thereafter, their names appear in the margin beside the particular phase of the case in which they took part. At the conclusion of the report, there appears “agreed to as stipulated” followed by signatures of appellant, his counsel, and the trial judge. The State also introduced a Fort Worth Police Department’s Crime Laboratory report bearing the signature of R. E. Tullis which recites findings that substances turned over to him contained marihuana. At the conclusion of this report, we find “agreed to as stipulated” followed by signatures of appellant and his counsel.

Art. 1.15, V.A.C.C.P., (before and after the June 15, 1971 amendment), provides that the defendant may consent in writing to waive the appearance, confrontation, and cross-examination of witnesses and consent to “the introduction of testimony by affidavits, written statements of witnesses, and any other documentary evidence in support of the judgment of the court.”

We find the foregoing evidence sufficient to support the conviction under Art. 1.15, V.A.C.C.P.

Appellant contends that the court was in error in admitting evidence obtained as the result of an illegal search and seizure. Where a plea of guilty is voluntarily and understandingly made, all non-jurisdictional defects including claimed deprivation of federal due process are waived. Soto v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 456 S.W.2d 389; Fierro v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 437 S.W.2d 833. We perceive no error.

Appellant contends that the record does not plainly show that he was sane. The judgment recites that the appellant was sane. No issue of sanity was raised at the time the plea was taken. No error is shown. See Kane v. State, 481 S.W.2d 808; Perez v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 478 S.W.2d 551; Parrish v. State, 170 Tex.Cr.R. 186, 339 S.W.2d 670.

Appellant contends that he did not have effective assistance of competent counsel in the trial court. A retained attorney’s services must be gauged by whether or not there was a breach of legal duty. Steel v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 453 S.W.2d 486. We have reviewed the record and find no merit in appellant’s contention.

The judgment is affirmed.

Opinion approved by the Court.

1

. The pertinent portion of Art. 1.15, V.A.C.C.P., as amended, provides, “ . . . the evidence may be stipulated if the defendant in sucli case consents in writing, in open court, to waive the appearance, confrontation, and cross-examination of witnesses, and further consents either to an oral stipulation of the evidence and testimony or to the introduction of testimony by affidavits, written statements of witnesses, and any other documentary evidence in support of the judgment of the court . . . ” Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., Vol. 2, p. 3028, Ch. 996, effective June 15, 1971.