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Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Punishment Instructions

12.23  Instruction—Class A Misdemeanor—Unenhanced

You have found the defendant, [name], guilty of [offense].

Relevant Statutes

This offense is punishable by—

  1. a fine of no more than $4,000, or
  2. a term of confinement in the county jail for no more than one year, or
  3. both a fine of no more than $4,000 and a term of confinement in the county jail for no more than one year.

VERDICT

We, the jury, having found the defendant, [name], guilty of the offense of [offense], assess his punishment at: (select one)

___ a fine of $______________ (an amount that is $4,000 or less) and no confinement in jail.
___ confinement in the county jail for a term of _____________________ (a term that is 365 days or less) and no fine.
___ confinement in the county jail for a term of _____________________ (a term that is 365 days or less) and a fine of $______________ (an amount that is $4,000 or less).

________________________________
Foreperson of the Jury

________________________________
Printed Name of Foreperson

Comment

Punishment for a class A misdemeanor is set out in Tex. Penal Code § 12.21. A verdict of no fine and no term of confinement is an illegal sentence; one or the other is re-quired. Mizell v. State, 70 S.W.3d 156, 163 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2001), aff’d, 119 S.W.3d 804 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).