Court Opinion

ID: 9821825
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 08:28:31.746018+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:52:16.240240
License: Public Domain

DISSENTING OPINION

Meyers, J.,
filed a dissenting opinion.
In Dobbs v. State, 434 S.W.3d 166 (Tex.Crim.App.2014), the majority concluded that the defendant’s actions of displaying a gun, refusing to put the gun down, and threatening to shoot himself did not constitute “force against” a peace officer within the meaning of Texas Penal Code § 38.03. I dissented in that case because I felt that the defendant exerted force in opposition to the officers in the form of power, violence, and pressure against them, and that his actions were a clear threat to the officers. The majority now says that “pulling away from the officers satisfies the physical in opposition or hostility to the police officers requirement” and concludes that the Appellant in this case “used force against the officers by pulling against the officers’ force.” I am having a hard time understanding how brandishing a weapon in the presence of multiple police officers and threatening to shoot yourself if the officers attempt to arrest you-a situation that could result in the death or serious injury of multiple people-is not using force against an officer but holding your arms in front of you is.
Because I would hold that Appellant’s conduct here was not sufficient to constitute force against an officer under Texas Penal Code § 38.03, I respectfully dissent.