Case ID: sw2d_346/html/0611-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "MORRISON, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Curtis SMITH, Appellant, v. STATE of Texas, Appellee.
    No. 33470.
    Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    May 24, 1961.
    T. D. Wells, Paris, for appellant.
    Leon B. Douglas, State’s Atty., Austin, for the State.
   MORRISON, Judge.

The offense is possession of untaxed whiskey; the punishment, 4 months in jail and a fine of $250.

Our able State’s Attorney confesses error, and we agree. A defense witness was asked on cross-examination by the State if she had been fooling with wild-cat whiskey for the last five years or longer, and further whether or not she had been convicted for selling or handling whiskey. Appellant’s timely objection was overruled.

This constituted impeachment by proof of misdemeanors which do not involve moral turpitude and violates the terms of Article 732a, V.A.C.C.P. See Andrews v. State, 154 Tex.Cr.R. 392, 228 S.W.2d 173, and Davidson v. State, 161 Tex.Cr.R. 486, 278 S.W.2d 861.

For the reasons pointed out, the judgment is reversed ana the cause is remanded.