Texas Penal Code Flashcards
Range of punishment for Class A misdemeanor
0 to 365 days; possible fine up to $4,000
Range of punishment for Class B misdemeanor
0 to 180 days; possible fine up to $2,000
Range of punishment for Class C misdemeanor
no jail; possible fine up to $500
Range of punishment for 1st Degree Felony
5 to 99 years or life; possible fine up to $10,000
Range of punishment for 2nd Degree Felony
2 to 20 years; possible fine up to $10,000
Range of punishment for 3rd Degree Felony
2 to 10 years; possible fine up to $10,000
When does Texas have jurisdiction over an offense a person commits by his own conduct or the conduct of a person he is criminally responsible?
- either the conduct or a result that is an element of the offense occurs inside Texas;
- the conduct outside Texas constitutes an attempt to commit an offense inside Texas;
- the conduct outside Texas constitutes a conspiracy to commit an offense inside Texas and an act in furtherance of the conspiracy occurs inside Texas; or
- the conduct inside Texas constitutes an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit an offense in another state that is also an offense in Texas.
What is the definition of “bodily injury?”
Physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.
What is the definition of “deadly weapon?”
- a firearm or anything designed, made, or adapted for purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or
- anything in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
What is the definition of “possession?”
Actual care, custody, control, or management.
What is the definition of “public place?”
Any place the public or a substantial group of the public has access; includes streets, highways, and common areas of schools, hospitals, apartments, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.
What is the definition of “serious bodily injury?”
Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
When is the existence of an affirmative defense submitted to the jury?
Only when there is evidence admitted supporting the defense.
What is the defendant’s burden of proof as to an affirmative defense?
Preponderance of the evidence.
What is the definition of “criminal episode?”
The commission of two or more offenses committed pursuant to same transaction or common scheme or plan or the offenses are the repeated commission of the same or similar offenses.
When can multiple criminal offenses be consolidated for prosecution?
A defendant may be prosecuted in a single criminal action for all offenses arising out of the same criminal episode.
What must the State do if a single criminal action is based on more than one charging instrument?
The State must file written notice of the action not less than 30 days prior to the trial.
If a defendant is found guilty of more than one offense arising out of the same criminal episode prosecuted in a single criminal action, how are the sentences to be served?
Concurrently.
Exceptions: Intoxication Assault; Intoxication Manslaughter; Sex Offenses; Injury to Child, Elderly; Disabled that are 1st degree felonies – these offenses may be ordered by trial court to be served either concurrently or consecutively.
When does a defendant have a right to a severance of offenses?
Whenever two or more offenses have been consolidated or joined for trial.
If a defendant is granted a severance of offenses, how are the sentences to be served if convicted of more than one offense?
Concurrently or consecutively.
When does a defendant not have a right to a severance of offenses?
Intoxication Assault; Intoxication Manslaughter; Sex Offenses; Injury to Child, Elderly; Disabled that are 1st degree felonies – these offenses may be ordered by trial court to be served either concurrently or consecutively.
Discuss requirement of a voluntary act or omission.
A person commits an offense only if he voluntarily engages in conduct, including an act, an omission, or possession. A person who omits to perform an act does not commit an offense unless they have a duty to perform the act.
What are the four culpable mental states?
- Intentional
- Knowing
- Reckless
- Criminal Negligence
Define “intentionally.”
A person acts intentionally when it is his conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result.
Define “knowingly.”
A person acts knowingly when he is aware of the nature of his conduct, that the circumstances exist, or when he is aware his conduct is reasonable certain to cause the result.
Define “recklessly.”
A person acts recklessly when he is aware of but conscious disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk the circumstances exist or the result will occur.
Define “criminal negligence.”
A person acts with criminal negligence when he ought to be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk the circumstances exist or the result will occur. Risk must be of such a nature and degree that the failure to perceive it constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the actor’s standpoint.
When is a party criminally responsible as a party to an offense?
When the offense is committed by his own conduct, by the conduct of another for which he is criminally responsible, or both.
Can a person be convicted as a party if the indictment does not charge him as a party?
Yes.
Can each party to an offense be charged with committing the offense?
Yes.
When is a person criminally responsible for the conduct of another?
- acting with required culpability, he causes or aids an innocent or non responsible person to engage in conduct;
- acting with intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense, he solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid the person to commit the offense; or
- having a legal duty to prevent commission of the offense and acting with intent to promote or assist its commission, he fails to make a reasonable effort to prevent commission of the offense.
Discuss “insanity.”
It is an affirmative defense that at the time of the conduct charged, the actor did not know his conduct was wrong because of severe mental disease or defect.
Discuss “mistake of fact.”
It is a defense to prosecution the actor through mistake formed a reasonable belief about a fact if his mistake negated the culpability required for committing the offense.
Discuss “mistake of law.”
It is not a defense to prosecution to be ignorant of any law after the law has taken effect.
Can “mistake of law” be a defense?
Yes. It is an affirmative defense if the actor reasonable believed the conduct charged was not a crime and he acted in reasonable reliance on an official statement of the law contained in a written order by an administrative agency or a written interpretation of the law contained in an opinion of a court of record.
Is voluntary intoxication a defense to a crime?
No.
When may voluntary intoxication by introduced by the actor?
Evidence of temporary insanity caused by voluntary intoxication may be introduced in mitigation of the penalty.
Discuss “duress” as a defense to prosecution.
It is an affirmative defense. In a felony, defendant must show he was compelled to act by threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to himself or another. In a misdemeanor, defendant must show he was compelled to act by force or threat of force. Defendant MUST admit the offense to use duress as a defense.
Discuss “necessity” as a justification.
Conduct is justified if the actor reasonably believes the conduct is immediately necessary to avoid imminent harm.
When is use of force against another not justified?
- In response to verbal provocation alone;
- to resist an arrest or search by a peace officer even if the arrest or search is unlawful; (EXCEPTION - greater force than necessary)
- if the actor consented to the exact force used or attempted by the other;
- if the actor provoked the other’s use or attempted use of force;
- if the actor sought an explanation from or discussion with the other person concerning the actor’s differences with the other persons while the actor was carrying a weapon in violation of 46.02 or 46.05.
When is a person justified in using self-defense?
When and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect the actor against the other’s use or attempted use of unlawful force.
When is use of self-defense presumed reasonable?
- person unlawfully and with force entered or was attempting to enter the actor’s occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;
- person unlawfully and with force removed, or was attempting to remove the actor from his habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;
- person was committing or attempting to commit aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated robbery;
- defendant did not provoke the person; and
- defendant not engaged in criminal activity other than Class C at time force used.
When is use of deadly force justified?
When the person is justified in using force under 9.31, he reasonably believes deadly force is immediately necessary to protect himself against use or attempted use of deadly force or to prevent commission of aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated robbery.
Same presumptions for reasonableness as 9.31.
When is a person justified in using force or deadly force to protect a third person?
When justified under 9.31 or 9.32 in using force or deadly force to protect himself and he reasonably believes it is necessary to protect the third person.
When is deadly force to protect property justified?
When the actor reasonably believes force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate trespass on the property or prevent unlawful interference with the property AND
he reasonably believes deadly force is immediately necessary to prevent imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft at night, or criminal mischief at night OR
to prevent person who is fleeing from escaping with property AND he reasonably believes the land or property cannot be protected by any other means.
What are the three categories of misdemeanors?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
If an offense is designated as a misdemeanor without specification as to punishment or category, what is it?
Class C
What are the five categories of felonies:
- Capital
- First degree
- Second degree
- Third degree
- State jail
If an offense is designated as a felony without specification as to its category, what is it?
State jail
What is the punishment for a capital felony?
- If state seeks the death penalty – LWOP or death.
- If state does not seek the death penalty – Life if defendant committed offense when under 18 or LWOP if defendant 18 or older.
What is the punishment for a repeat felony offender?
- 15 to 99 years or Life if on trial for a F1 offense
- 5 to 99 years or Life if on trial for a F2 offense
- 2 to 20 years if on trial for a F3 offense
And an optional fine up to $10,000
What is the punishment for a habitual felony offender?
25 to 99 years or Life if on trial for a F1, F2 or F3 offense
No option for a fine
What is the punishment for a repeat felony offender convicted of a sexually violent offense committed on or after their 18th birthday?
Life in prison without parole.
What is the punishment for a repeat SJF offender?
- if finally convicted of two SJFs, then ROP is 2 to 10 years
What is the punishment for a habitual SJF offender?
- if finally convicted of two felonies (not SJFs), then ROP is 2 to 20 years
What is the punishment for a repeat Class A offender?
- if finally convicted of a Class A or any felony, then 90 days to 365 days and a possible fine up to $4,000
What is the punishment for a repeat Class B offender?
- if finally convicted of a Class A or B or any felony, then 30 days to 180 days and a possible fine up to $2,000
How can a defendant be prosecuted for a SJF under TPC 12.44?
- 12.44(a): Convict as a SJF and punish as a Class A
- 12.44(b): Prosecute as a Class A