At trial, the State may prove intoxication three ways
- Not having the normal use of physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol into the body;
- OR not having the normal use of mental faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol into the body;
- OR having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
The jury does not have to be unanimous on the manner and means of intoxication, only that the person was intoxicated. It is also important to note that intoxication must occur and be proven to occur while driving.
In order to convict a person of DWI, it is necessary to establish that all four elements were present, and the facts must be established “beyond a reasonable doubt.” All persons are presumed to be innocent and no person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of the offense is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The fact that he has been arrested, confined, or indicted for, or otherwise charged with, the offense gives rise to no inference of guilt at trial. The law does not require the defendant to prove his innocence or produce any evidence at all. The presumption of innocence alone is sufficient to acquit the defendant unless the jurors are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt. The prosecution has the burden of proving the defendant guilty and it must do so by proving each and every element of the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt.
Motor Vehicle
The State must allege that that what the defendant did was “operate a motor vehicle.” The Penal Code defines motor vehicle and there is no requirement that the State list the model and year of the vehicle the defendant drove.
Operating
The State does not have to allege the manner and means by which the defendant exercised physical control of the vehicle. To find that the defendant operated a motor vehicle, the totality of the circumstances must demonstrate that he took action to affect the functioning of his vehicle, enabling him to use the vehicle. Starting the ignition and revving the accelerator is sufficient. The courts have not required the State t prove actual movement. For instance, the Dallas court of appeals held there was sufficient evidence of operating a motor vehicle when officers found the defendant asleep with the car engine running and his feet on the clutch and brake.
DWI Jury Charge
A judge is not allowed to charge the jury that it should disregard the results of the breath test if it has reasonable doubt whether the instrument was in good working order. However, a defendant is entitled to an instruction on the issue of whether officers and operators complied with DPS regulations regarding breath testing.
Blood, Breath, Urine
The judge is not required to give an instruction on alcohol concentration as it relates to blood or urine when the evidence shows only that a breath test was given. An instruction that defines intoxication in terms of presence of alcohol in the defendant’s body, rather than his breath, blood, or urine is proper.
Article 38.23 Instruction on Validity of Stop
Alternative Causation
A defendant is entitled to a jury instruction on another causation factor only when he denies using alcohol, and can explain his suspect action. A charge that singles out limited parts of the evidence may constitute an improper comment by the judge on the weight of the evidence. A defendant is not entitled to a jury instruction on an alternative cause, like fatigue, that merely negates the existence of an element of the state’s case.
Synergistic Charges
If the evidence shows that the defendant became intoxicated form less alcohol than might ordinarily make a person intoxicated because of other substances in his body, the court can give the jury a charge, known as a synergistic charge, on this effect. A charge that includes this principle does not create a new crime nor require a different culpable mental state. The state is entitled to a synergistic charge not eh effect of intoxication from alcohol and drugs when drug use evidence comes out at trial, even if it is not alleged in the indictment. A synergistic charge is not appropriate when fatigue is the aggravating actor. A synergistic charge also may not be used for a theory of intoxication that was not alleged.
Public Place
The DWI statute also requires that the defendant commit the offense in a public place. Alleging the offense occurred in a public place will be sufficient, the prosecutor need not allege the specific city or street where the offense occurred. Courts have ruled that parks are considered a public place, regardless of whether the park was closed.
Intoxication
The state must allege that the defendant was intoxicated. Under previous case law, the prosecutor had to allege which definition of intoxication applied. There is no longer any need to specify in the charging instrument whether the State intends to prove the loss of normal use of faculties or driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or above. The word intoxicated applies to all the alternatives listed in 49.01(2)(a)(b).
Contact : Collin County Criminal Lawyer
Collin County criminal lawyer Constantine Anagnostis dedicates his practice to people who are facing criminal charges, with a primary emphasis on DWI, Drug Offenses, Expunction & Nondisclosure Agreements, and Occupational Driver’s License Issues. Collin County criminal lawyer Constantine G. Anagnostis understands the law, procedures, and penalties pertaining to criminal law, and will aggressively fight to protect your rights. Collin County criminal lawyer Constantine Anagnostis provides the utmost personal dedication to each and every case, and truly cares about his clients. You may call 817-229-0319 to schedule a free consultation, or submit a sample case form. At DFW Criminal Lawyers, L.L.C., we look forward to helping you.
DFW Criminal Lawyers, L.L.C. serves clients in all of Collin County, including: Frisco, Texas, Plano, Texas, Prosper, Texas, Allen, Texas, McKinney, Texas, Anna, Texas, Wylie, Texas, Fairview, Texas, Melissa, Texas, Murphy, Texas, Celina, Texas, Lucas, Texas, and Hebron, Texas. For cases in Dallas, county, click here.
