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Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Punishment Instructions

12.32 Instruction—Misdemeanor [Driving/Assembling or Operating Amusement Ride] While Intoxicated—Unenhanced—Open Container Accusation (Plea of True)

You have found the defendant, [name], guilty of [driving/assembling or operating an amusement ride] while intoxicated. The state has accused the defendant of being in possession of an open container of alcohol.

The defendant has pleaded that this accusation is “true.”

Relevant Statutes—Punishment If Accusation of Open Container Proved “True”

If the state proves the accusation of an open container is true, this offense is punishable by—

  1. a term of confinement in the county jail for no less than 6 days and no more than 180 days, or
  2. a term of confinement in the county jail for no less than 6 days and no more than 180 days and a fine of no more than $2,000.

Definitions

Open Container

“Open container” means a bottle, can, or other receptacle that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage and that is open, that has been opened, that has a broken seal, or the contents of which are partially removed.

Alcoholic Beverage

“Alcoholic beverage” means alcohol, or any beverage containing more than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume, which is capable of use for beverage purposes, either alone or when diluted.

Burden of Proof

The state must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the open container accusation.

Application of Law to Facts

You must determine whether the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, two elements of its accusation of an open container. The elements are that—

  1. the defendant had an open container of an alcoholic beverage in his immediate possession, and
  2. the defendant did this at the time of [driving/assembling or operating an amusement ride] while intoxicated.

The defendant has pleaded “true” to the open container accusation and admits both elements listed above. You must find that the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, the open container accusation is “true.” You are to determine and state in your verdict—

  1. the term of confinement in the county jail to be imposed on the defendant for no less than 6 days and no more than 180 days, or
  2. the term of confinement in the county jail to be imposed on the defendant for no less than 6 days and no more than 180 days and a fine of no more than $2,000.

VERDICT

We, the jury, having found the defendant, [name], guilty of the offense of [offense], find that the accusation of an open container has been proved true. We assess the defendant’s punishment at: (select one)

___ confinement in the county jail for a term of ________ (6 to 180) days and no fine.
___ confinement in the county jail for a term of ________ (6 to 180) days and a fine of $______________ ($2,000 or less).

________________________________
Foreperson of the Jury

________________________________
Printed Name of Foreperson

Comment

Punishment for driving while intoxicated with a proved accusation of possession of an open container is set out in Tex. Penal Code § 49.04(c). Punishment for assembling or operating an amusement ride while intoxicated with a proved accusation of possession of an open container is set out in Tex. Penal Code § 49.065(c).

The definition of “open container” is from Tex. Penal Code § 49.031(a)(1). The definition of “alcoholic beverage” is from Tex. Alco. Bev. Code § 1.04(1), incorporated into the Penal Code at Tex. Penal Code § 1.07(a)(4).