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—
- a fine of no more than $4,000, or
- a term of confinement in the county jail for no more than one year, or
- 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).
________________________________
________________________________
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).