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Parole Instruction - need quick answer

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May 04, 2007, 09:39
LT
Parole Instruction - need quick answer
One of our lawyers is in a charge conference at the moment and the judge thinks that a recent case held that the 37.07(4)(c) parole instruction (the 1/4 time one) should not be included in the charge anymore. I certainly don't remember anything like that, and think I would if it had happened. I've looked on westlaw and found nothing.
All of you appellate gurus who follow recent caselaw closer than I do, is there any opinion out there of that nature?
May 04, 2007, 09:54
P.D. Ray
I've seen/heard no such thing. I've put it in 6 jury charges this year. My co-counsel had it in two just this week.
May 04, 2007, 09:56
WHM
THis is from a January 2007 Dallas case:

"In his first issue in the theft case, appellant contends the trial court erred in omitting from the jury charge a portion of the mandatory jury instruction regarding the effect of parole. See Tex.Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art. 37.07, � 4(c) (Vernon 2006). The parole instruction is mandatory and failure to include it in the court's charge is error. See Luquis v. State, 72 S.W.3d 355, 363 (Tex.Crim.App.2002)."

Not a published opinion, but it's the most recent appellate court opinion I could find reiterating this point. I've not heard of anything to the contrary.
May 04, 2007, 10:01
LT
Thanks Wes.
Guess I should have walked down the hall...
May 04, 2007, 10:08
GG
Agree that it is still mandatory.
May 04, 2007, 22:45
Martin Peterson
Considering the Cosntitution was amended to provide for this type of instruction it seems unlikely any court will be able to rule that it not be given.