Ex Parte State

HOUSTON, Justice.

Gary Wayne Gwin was found guilty in the Jefferson District Court of the offense of reckless driving. On appeal to the Jefferson Circuit Court, he pleaded guilty. John G. Stokesberry, appointed to serve as a special circuit judge, accepted the plea and sentenced Gwin to 90 days’ imprisonment and fined him $25. Gwin appealed his conviction to the Court of Criminal Appeals, on the grounds that Stokesberry was not qualified to serve as a special circuit judge in Jefferson County. The Court of Criminal Appeals concluded that Stokesberry did not meet certain residency requirements…