Court Opinion

ID: 9768856
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 13:53:15.790855+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:03:38.649086
License: Public Domain

*206OPINION ON STATE’S MOTION FOR REHEARING
WHITE, Judge.
Appeal is taken from a conviction of burglary of a habitation. V.T.C.A., Penal Code Sec. 30.02.1 Punishment was assessed by the jury at eight years confinement.
On direct appeal to the Sixth Court of Appeals, appellant challenged the sufficiency of the evidence to prove that the burglarized premises were a “habitation” as defined in the Penal Code. See V.T.C.A., Penal Code See 30.01(1).2 The Court of Appeals found the evidence sufficient to prove “habitation” and affirmed the conviction. Blankenship v. State, 715 S.W.2d 132 (Tex.App.—Texarkana 1986).
Appellant petitioned this Court for discretionary review challenging the Court of Appeals’ review of the sufficiency of the evidence and alleging that the opinion below was in conflict with prior case law, particularly with the “habitation” standard promulgated by this Court in Jones v. State, 532 S.W.2d 596 (Tex.Cr.App.1976). Tex.R.App.Proc., Rule 200(c)(3). After review was granted, Judge Clinton, writing for the majority, reversed appellant’s conviction based on Jones.
The State then filed a Motion for Rehearing arguing that Jones should be overruled because it applies the wrong standard in reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence question, and because the construction of “habitation” within Jones should be revised. We granted the State’s motion, and we will now affirm the appellant’s conviction.
The evidence established that Perry Weeks’ rent house was broken into about 9:00 P.M. on August 19, 1984. This rent house was on the same tract of land as Weeks’ residence, but about 300 yards separated the two houses. The rent house had not been lived in or leased for about two years at the time of the burglary, but the house was wired for electricity (although the power was off and there was no meter), and water service was available (although turned off at the back yard). The house contained some belongings, and was equipped with two window air conditioners. Weeks testified that the structure was “adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons.”
The key issue before this Court is whether the evidence was sufficient to prove Weeks’ house a “habitation” as that word is used in the burglary statute, V.T.C.A., Penal Code 30.02. Texas law divides burglary of realty into two categories: burglary of buildings and burglary of habitations. See V.T.C.A., Penal Code 30.02. The former burglary is a second degree felony (unless certain conditions are met) but the latter burglary is always a first degree felony. Id. at (c) and (d).
In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to establish whether the State has proved an element of the offense, we must look at all the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have believed the element established *207beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). We are not to sit as a thirteenth juror reweighing the evidence or deciding whether we believe the evidence established the element in contention beyond a reasonable doubt; rather, we are to ask ourselves whether the trier of fact, acting rationally, could have found the evidence sufficient to establish the element beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreno v. State, 755 S.W.2d 866, 867 (Tex.Cr.App. 1988). We do not presume that a jury acted reasonably just because they were properly instructed; we test the evidence to see if it is at least conclusive enough for a reasonable factfinder to believe based on the evidence that the element is established beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 318, 99 S.Ct. at 2788, 61 L.Ed.2d at 573. See also Butler v. State, 769 S.W.2d 234 (Tex.Cr.App.1989).
In Jones v. State, 532 S.W.2d 596 (Tex.Cr.App.1976) and its progeny we undertook to determine whether a structure was proven a habitation without the benefit of the analysis set out in Jackson, supra. Whether the evidence was sufficient to establish that a structure is a “habitation” is now controlled by the Jackson standard. All of the evidence concerning this element must be examined in the light most favorable to the verdict and then we must determine whether any rational trier of fact could find that the premises was a “habitation” beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Penal Code defines a habitation as “a structure or vehicle that is adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons, and includes (A) each separately secured or occupied portion of the structure or vehicle; and (B) each structure appurtenant to or connected with the structure or vehicle.” V.T.C.A. Penal Code 30.01(1). See also Y.T.C.A. Penal Code 30.01(2) defining “building.”3
One traditional rationale for the higher punishment associated with burglary of a habitation has been protection of the sanctity of the home. Jones, 532 S.W.2d at 600. Indeed, the common law offense of burglary could only be committed by breaking and entering a dwelling house. Lafave and Scott, Criminal Law, 708 (West 1972). Another possible reason for making burglary of a habitation a more serious crime is a desire to prevent violence against persons. The chance of violent confrontation may be increased when a burglar invades a habitation as opposed to some other structure. The current Penal Code implicitly recognizes this fact by including a burglarized structure’s status as a habitation as one of three factors that can aggravate burglary to a first degree felony, the other two factors being injury to a person or carrying explosives or a deadly weapon. Y.T.C.A., Penal Code 30.02(d).4
Guarding the sanctity of the home via burglary statutes is an ancient practice which has always been reflected in our State laws. Both the common law and the old Texas Penal Code recognized a special interest in securing places of residence against unwanted invasion. V.T.C.A., Penal Code, Arts. 1389, 1391 (repealed 1974). Burglary at common law could be committed only against a dwelling house. Thommen v. State, 505 S.W.2d 900, 901 (Tex.Cr.App.1974), Lafave and Scott at 711. This was defined as a place of human habitation, with occupancy rather than ownership determinative. There was no requirement that the residents actually be present when the offense was committed; whether the occupants were away for a short or extended time was immaterial to the structure’s classification as a “dwelling house”. Lafave and Scott at 711. An unfinished house could not qualify even though people slept therein, but a business could if regularly slept in at night. Id. at 712. Build*208ings which were not residences did not qualify unless they were attached to residences or qualified via spatial proximity as part of the habitation’s “curtilage.” Id.
Texas has defined the offense more broadly than the common law since the nineteenth century. Thommen 505 S.W.2d at 902. Even so, the special protection afforded to places of residence was retained in the old pre-1974 Penal Code via two different burglary offenses: “Burglary”, which could be committed by entering a “house” and “Burglary of private residence at night.” Articles 1389, 1391, Vernon’s Annotated Penal Code, 1925. “House” was defined very broadly to mean “any building or structure erected for public or private use, whether the property of the United States, or this State, or of any public or private corporation or association, or of any individual, and of whatever material it may be constructed.” V.A.T.S., Penal Code, Art. 1395 (repealed 1974). “Private residence”, on the other hand, was defined relatively narrowly: “any building or room occupied and actually used at the time of the offense by any person as a place of residence.” V.A.T.S., Penal Code, Art. 1391 (repealed 1974). Private residence carried a penalty of any term “not less than five years” confinement, but burglary of a house carried a penalty of only two to twelve years. V.A.T.S., Penal Code, Arts. 1391, 1397 (repealed 1974).
The current burglary statute, enacted in 1973, not only retained the extra sanction for burglary of a place of residence, but actually broadened the category of structures which fall into the residential classification. Jones, supra at 600.
Chief Justice Nye, commenting in his concurring opinion to Chandler v. State, made a similar assessment of the reasons for the habitation/building distinction, but he questioned the law’s effectiveness in carrying out its purposes. He writes:
The rationale for providing an increased penalty for burglary of a habitation is to safeguard one’s home-to protect against intrusion into those places where the threat to people is most alarming. There is a special danger associated with an intruder in a home-the danger that the intruder will harm the occupants or that the occupants will react violently to the trespass into their personal haven. The increased penalty is to further the intent of society to ensure that burglars stay out of inhabited homes.
Chandler v. State, 743 S.W.2d 736, 744 (Tex.App-Corpus Christi 1987). He then goes on to say:
It is difficult to perceive how these goals can be attained with the current state of the law. How can the law deter a criminal from entering a private residence when the criminal will not know, until after he enters the structure, whether it is a habitation or a building? ... A subjective test which is hypertech-nical like the one set forth by the Court of Criminal Appeals seems merely to muddle the issue.

Id.

In light of these concerns, we need to review the Jones interpretation of “habitation”. Jones examined the legislative sources for the burglary statute and concluded that “habitation” meant a structure or vehicle that “at the time of the alleged offense (was) actually ‘adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons’ or at least at some prior time used for the overnight accommodation of persons and still ‘adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons.’ ” Jones, 532 S.W.2d at 600. This definition is confusing and does not serve to clarify the Penal Code’s definition of “habitation” which is supplied to juries. This definition has meant in subsequent cases that a habitation is a structure which is either used as a residence at the time of the burglary or has been used as a place of residence in the past and is, at the time of the burglary, in such a shape that it could comfortably accommodate overnight guests because of the presence of utilities and furniture.5
*209In light of the burglary statute’s history and purposes, we now undertake to set forth new guidance concerning the meaning of “habitation” in the current burglary statutes.
As mentioned, Jones stands for the proposition that a habitation “must at the time of the alleged offense have been actually ‘adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons’ or-at least at some prior time used for the overnight accommodation of persons and still ‘adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons.’ ” Jones at 600. There we noted that the word “adapted” can mean “capable of use” or “made suitable.” Id. We rejected the former interpretation as too broad; every pickup truck which could have bedrolls spread across the back could be considered a habitation under such a definition. Id. As a result the majority in Jones very narrowly construed the term “capable of use.” What makes a structure “suitable” or “not suitable” for overnight accommodation is a complex, subjective factual question fit for a jury’s determination. Their inquiry could be guided by reference to whether someone was using the structure or vehicle as a residence at the time of the offense; whether the structure or vehicle contained bedding, furniture, utilities, or other belongings common to a residential structure; and whether the structure is of such a character that it was probably intended to accommodate persons overnight (e.g. house, apartment, condominium, sleeping car, mobile home, house trailer). All of these factors are relevant; none are essential or necessarily dispositive.
The determination whether a burglarized place is a “building” or “habitation” will be overturned on appeal only if the appellant can show that no reasonable trier of fact could have found the place to *210have been a habitation under the criteria above. The majority in Jones erred by stepping into the jury box and assuming the role of substitute subjective factfinder.
This standard will take into account the deterrence function of the penal law as well as the Code’s express objective “to prescribe penalties that are proportionate to the seriousness of offenses.” V.T.C.A., Penal Code Sec. 1.02(1)(A), (3). Under this construction, the criminal will be punished according to the seriousness of the invasion into premises that he chooses to make, which seriousness corresponds to the nature of the premises as he perceives or reasonably should perceive them. This standard also attempts to clarify and explicate a common meaning of the word “adapted” from the statutory definition of “habitation”, so that our judicial construction of “habitation” will be in harmony with the statutory definition rather than at odds with it.
Any language in Jones or other cases contrary to the habitation standard in this case is expressly overruled.
In the case before us, the trial court correctly instructed the jury according to the Penal Code definitions of “habitation” and “building.” The jury found appellant guilty of burglary of a habitation. The evidence adduced at trial established that the structure (1) was a house once lived in by the complainant, (2) is now rented from time to time, (3) has a living room and two bedrooms, (4) is wired for electricity and has water readily available, (5) had two window air conditioners fully installed, (6) was only about three hundred yards from the complainant’s current residence (7) was located along the only driveway providing access to the complainant’s residence, (8) was used to store some of the complainant’s household items. Moreover, the owner of the house testified that the structure was adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons. From these facts, a reasonable trier of fact could have found the structure to have been “adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons” according to the standard announced in Jackson and Butler, supra.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals is affirmed.
CLINTON, TEAGUE, MILLER and DUNCAN, JJ., dissent and adhere to the views expressed in the opinion of the Court on original submission.

. (a) A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner, he:
(1) enters a habitation, or a building (or any portion of a building) not then open to the public, with intent to commit a felony or theft; or
(2) remains concealed, with intent to commit a felony or theft, in a building or habitation; or
(3) enters a building or habitation and commits or attempts to commit a felony or theft.
(c) Except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section, an offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.
(d) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree if:
(1) the premises are a habitation; or
(2) any party to the offense is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon; or
(3) any party to the offense injures or attempts to injure anyone in effecting entry or while in the building or in immediate flight from the building.

. (1) “Habitation" means a structure or vehicle that is adapted for the overnight accommodation of persons, and includes:
(A) each separately secured or occupied portion of the structure or vehicle; and
(B) each structure appurtenant to or connected with the structure or vehicle.

. This provision reads: "Building” means any enclosed structure intended for use or occupation as a habitation or for some purpose of trade, manufacture, ornament, or use.

. (d) An offense under this section is a felony of the first degree if:
(1)the premises are a habitation; or
(2) any party to the offense is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon
(3) any party to the offense injures or attempts to injure anyone in effecting entry or while in the building or in immediate flight from the building.

. This court addressed the distinction between habitation and building three times in the seventies, and five Courts of Appeals’ decisions, besides this case, have since applied our earlier standard in cases where the appellant has been convicted for burglary of a habitation and tried *209to claim that the evidence was insufficient to prove "habitation.”
In Jones, a new house which a buyer had contracted to purchase was held not within the definition of habitation. No one had yet lived in the house, it contained no furniture and no refrigerator, and it may not have had electricity, although it did have a water connection.
In Hargett v. State, 534 S.W.2d 909 (Tex.Cr.App.1976), a furnished rent house which had been rented in the past and was leased now but whose tenant had not yet moved in was held to be a habitation.
Moss v. State, 574 S.W.2d 542 (Tex.Cr.App.1978), presented a similar fact pattern to the case at bar. The house had been rented in the past, but had been vacant for two months. There were no water connections, no light bulbs, no stoves or heaters, and no electricity, although the owner believed there was supposed to be electricity. The house was being used to store property belonging to a relative of the owner. The evidence was held insufficient to establish that this structure was a habitation.
Trotter v. State, 623 S.W.2d 504 (Tex.App.-Ft. Worth 1981, no pet.), involved a mobile home containing furniture and household items. The utilities were available, but the sewer line was disconnected. The Court of Appeals held this to be a habitation although no one lived in the mobile home at the time of the offense. The home had been previously occupied. This case does not seem consistent with Moss, supra.
In Lewis v. State, 631 S.W.2d 813 (Tex.App.-Ft. Worth 1982, no pet.), the premises were a large one-bedroom apartment. Solely on the basis that the stolen property included household items like a portable radio, a television set, a microwave oven, and a jacket, the Court found sufficient evidence to prove the apartment a “habitation.”
Bazroux v. State, 634 S.W.2d 919 (Tex.App.Houston [1st Dist.], 1982, no pet.), involved the situation in which the structure is currently used as a residence, but the occupant is away for an extended period of time. (In this case, the occupant was on a 28-day trip out of the country). The court held that extended absences by occupants do not deprive residences of their habitational character.
In the case of Chandler v. State, 743 S.W.2d 736 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1987, pet. pending), the court held that an unfurnished, unleased apartment could not be a "habitation" even though the apartment had a dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, disposal, lighting fixtures, hot water heater, and water and electric utilities. The court found it "inconceivable” that a reasonable person would find an unfurnished apartment fit for overnight accommodation. Chandler, 743 S.W.2d at 739. As noted above, a concurrence in this case vehemently criticized the Jones approach to the question of "building” versus "habitation."
The muddled distinctions between the holdings in these eight decisions reflect Chief Justice Nye's criticism of the hypertechnical, subjective test of Jones.
This Jones construction has been confusing because it apparently uses two different meanings for the word "adapted” in the same sentence. It has also resulted in the problem of juries making findings of "habitation” under the statutory definition which findings must then be struck down by an appellate court under the different, more restrictive Jones standard.