Eric Lopez v. State

OPINION

John Donovan, Justice

Appellant, Eric Lopez, was charged by indictment with indecency with a child, which included an enhancement paragraph alleging a prior conviction for indecency with a child. A jury convicted appellant of the charged offense and found the enhancement allegation to be “true.” Appellant was sentenced to a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment pursuant to Texas Penal Code Section 12.42(c)(2). See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.42(c)(2) (West, Westlaw through 2015 R.S.).

In three issues, appellant contends (1) the automatic life sentencing requirement violates the state and…