Chapter 9
Justification Defenses
9.48 Instruction—Educator-Student Defense
[Insert instructions for underlying offense.]
If you all agree the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the [number] elements listed above, you must next consider whether the defendant is not guilty because his use of force was justified by the educator-student defense.
Educator-Student Defense
A person’s use of force against another that constitutes the crime of [offense] is justified by the educator-student defense if—
- 1. the person did not use deadly force; and
- [1./2.] the person is entrusted with the care, supervision, or administration of that other person for a special purpose; and
- [2./3.] the person believed the degree of force and when it was used were necessary to [maintain discipline in a group/further that special purpose]; and
- [3./4.] that belief was reasonable.
[Include the following if raised by the evidence.]
[Continue with the following.]
Burden of Proof
The defendant is not required to prove this defense. Rather, the state must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defense does not apply to the defendant’s conduct.
Definitions
Reasonable Belief
“Reasonable belief” means a belief that an ordinary and prudent person would have held in the same circumstances as the defendant.
[Include the following if raised by the evidence.]
Deadly Force
“Deadly force” means force that is intended or known by the person using it to cause death or serious bodily injury or force that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
Serious Bodily Injury
“Serious bodily injury” means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. “Bodily injury” means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.
Application of Law to Facts
To decide this issue, you must determine whether the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, one of the following elements. The elements are that—
- 1. the defendant used deadly force against [name]; or
- [1./2.] the defendant was not entrusted with the care, supervision, or administration of [name] for a special purpose; or
- [2./3.] the defendant did not believe the degree of force or when it was used was necessary to [maintain discipline in a group/further that special purpose]; or
- [3./4.] the defendant’s belief was not reasonable.
[Include the following if raised by the evidence.]
[Continue with the following.]
You must all agree that the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, either element 1, 2, [or 3/3, or 4] listed above. You need not agree on which of these elements the state has proved.
If you find that the state has failed to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, either element 1, 2, [or 3/3, or 4] listed above, you must find the defendant “not guilty.”
If you all agree the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, each of the elements of the offense of [insert specific offense], and you all agree the state has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, either element 1, 2, [or 3/3, or 4] listed above, you must find the defendant “guilty.”
[Insert any other instructions raised by the evidence. Then continue with the verdict form found in CPJC 2.1, the general charge.]
Comment
The educator-student defense is provided for in Tex. Penal Code § 9.62. The definition of “reasonable belief” is from Tex. Penal Code § 1.07(a)(42). The definitions of “serious bodily injury” and “bodily injury” are provided in Tex. Penal Code § 1.07(a)(8), (a)(46).