Jury Charges

…[I]n each misdemeanor case tried in a court of record, the judge shall, before the argument begins, deliver to the jury… a written charge distinctly setting forth the law applicable to the case; not expressing any opinion as to the weight of the evidence, not summing up the testimony, discussing the facts or using any argument… calculated to arouse the sympathy or excite the passions of the jury. 

-Article 36.14, Code of Criminal Procedure

TMCEC’s Jury Charge Bank was established in 2007 with contributions by the Honorable Sara Hartin, Presiding Judge of the New Braunfels Municipal Court, and has since been updated thanks to Sue Kennedy and the City of Corinth and others.

The Jury Charge Bank is a series of Microsoft Word documents with suggested language for fine-only state law violations, and selected city ordinance violations. Download the documents to your own computer, and then edit the charge carefully so that it includes the information required for your specific case.

If you are looking for a charge for an offense not listed here, join one of the TMCEC listservs (for municipal judges, court administrators, or prosecutors) by emailing info@tmcec.com with a request to be added to the listserv. Users often ask others for sample jury charges and the listserv is a great way to reach a large group of constituents who are more than willing to share.

Transportation:   Allowing Unauthorized Child to Drive
Allowing Unauthorized Person to Drive
Defective Equipment
Disregard Red Light
Disregard Red Light 2
Disregard Stop Sign
Disregard Traffic Control Device
Employing Unlicensed Driver
Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection
Expired Registration
Fail to Maintain Single Lane
Fail to Maintain Single Lane 2
Fail to Signal Turn
Fail to Signal Turn 2
Fail to Yield Right-of-Way at a Stop Sign
Fail to Yield to Emergency Vehicle
Following Too Close
Handicapped Parking
Illegal Backing
Improper Left Turn at Intersection
No Safety Belt
No Safety Belt (Child 5-17)
No Safety Belt (Child Under 5 and 36 Inches)
No Valid Driver’s License
Obscured Plate
Obscured Plates (Sticker, Decal, Emblem)
Passing a School Bus
Passing an Emergency Vehicle
Speeding
Too Fast for Conditions
Unauthorized Lights (Beacon, Flashing, or Alternating)
Unsafe Turn
Unsecured Load
Wrong Way on a One-Way Street
Other: Assault (Contact)
Assault (Threat)
Criminal Mischief (Damaged or Destroyed)
Criminal Mischief (Defacing)
Criminal Mischief (Tampering)
Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly Conduct (Fighting)
Disorderly Conduct (Gesture)
Disorderly Conduct (Language)
Disorderly Conduct (Threaten)
Disruption of Class
Fail to Change Address
Fail to Identify
Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility
Littering
Minor in Consumption (Alcohol)
Minor in Possession (Alcohol)
Minor in Possession (Tobacco)
Theft (Property)
Theft (Service)

Address
2210 Hancock Dr.
Austin, TX 78756

Phone: 512.320.8274
Toll Free Line: 1.800.252.3718
Fax: 512.435.6118