I think I'm missing it, but can someone help with a statute, rule, or criminal case that says the court can take judicial notice of a state statute (specifically a labor code provision). I've found civil cases on point and about judicial notice of foreign statutes, but not our own statutes.

Also, what procedures do you generally use to publish / enter as an exhibit the law after the court takes judicial notice?

Thanks in advance,

Joseph

Watts v. State, 99 S.W.3d 604, 610 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) ("Texas courts can, of course, take judicial notice of the laws of this State."); see also Moreno v. State, 1992 WL 187375 at *2 (Tex.App. -- Houston [1st Dist.] August 6, 1992, pet. ref’d) ("The trial court took judicial notice that the '[TDCJ] is a place designated by law as a penal institution' and so instructed the jury.")

Cochran, Texas Rules of Evidence Handbook at 103 (6th ed. 2005-2006) ("The judicial function of determining the law is traditionally characterized as within the concept of judicial notice"); see also id. at n.38 (distinguishing law from legislative fact). A judge cannot instruct a jury regarding a legislative fact, Wyatts 99 S.W.3d at 612 n.28, but (notwithstanding TEX. R. EVID. 202(g)) a trial court may insist that the jury accept a judicially noticed law. Texas Rules of Evidence Handbook at 128.