Court Opinion

ID: 9612742
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 04:11:00.765144+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:03:22.749513
License: Public Domain

PRICE, J.,
dissenting in which MEYERS and JOHNSON, JJ., joined.
While searching the appellant’s truck, police found methamphetamine and marihuana behind the ashtray. The appellant claimed that the officer had no probable cause to pull him over. The trial court included an article 38.231 instruction in the proposed guilt-innocence jury charge; the appellant requested a more detailed instruction. The trial court denied his request, and the appellant was convicted. Today the Court addresses whether the trial court should have defined probable cause in the jury charge. The Court concludes that answer is no. I disagree, and therefore, I dissent.
On direct appeal, the appellant claimed that the trial court should have included a definition of probable cause in the jury charge.2 The court of appeals explained that the trial court is not required to provide a definition for any term that is not defined in the relevant statute. Probable cause is not defined in article 38.23. Therefore, the court of appeals concluded, the trial court was not required to include a definition in the charge. State v. Middleton, 43 S.W.3d 881, 885 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth, 2001).
The appellant filed a petition for discretionary review, which we granted, claiming that the court of appeals erred because probable cause is a technical legal term, which should be defined for jurors.
The general rule, as the court of appeals explained, is that a term need not be defined in the jury charge if the legislature failed to define it in the relevant statute. Martinez v. State, 924 S.W.2d 693, 698 (Tex.Crim.App.1996). The relevant statute in this case, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 38.23,3 does not define *456probable cause. Indeed, the Article does not even contain the term probable cause. Article 38.23 is a statutory exclusionary rule that prohibits the use of evidence if it was obtained in violation of the constitution or laws of the State of Texas and the United States. The general rule cannot apply in this case since the term probable cause does not appear in Article 38.23.
We have recognized an exception to the general rule when a term in a statute has a technical meaning. If a term does not have a common, ordinary meaning that we can presume jurors to know and apply, a definition of the term should be included in the jury charge. Phillips v. State, 597 S.W.2d 929, 934 (Tex.Crim.App. [Panel Op.] 1980); King v. State, 553 S.W.2d 105, 107 (Tex.Cr.App.1977) (citing Joubert v. State, 136 Tex.Cr.R. 219, 124 S.W.2d 368 (1938)).4 This might be the test when a technical term does not appear in a statute, but we cannot tell that from the cases cited by the majority.
In Andrews v. State, 652 S.W.2d 370 (Tex.Crim.App.1983), we attempted to refine this exception to the rule. We explained that a word or phrase with a technical legal meaning will not always need to be defined. Id. at 375-76. In that case the defendant complained that the trial court should have defined the term “prurient interest.” Ibid. We said that it might have been wise for the legislature to include a definition of prurient interest, but we concluded that the statute’s failure to include a definition did not “cause[] a jury charge to be subject to an objection for failure to define that term.” Id. at 376.
We said that the Code Construction Act specifies that “Words and phrases shall be read in context and construed accordingly. Words and phrases that have acquired a technical or particular meaning, whether by legislature or otherwise shall be construed accordingly.” Ibid, (quoting Tex. Rev.Civ. Stat. art. 5429b-2, § 2.01). Also we noted Code of Criminal Procedure Article 3.01 states “Words and terms used in this Code are to be taken and understood in their usual acceptability in common language, except where specially defined.”5 Ibid, (quoting Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 3.01). We said that neither the Code Construction Act, nor Article 3.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, require the definition in the jury charge. Of course, this is *457not a surprising conclusion because both provisions deal with the interpretation of statutes, not whether a term should be defined in a jury charge. Also, as I explained above, the term probable cause does not appear in Article 38.23 because it is a general exclusionary rule. These rules cannot apply to the situation in the instant case.
Even assuming the test for the exception to the rule about defining statutory terms in the jury charge applied in this case, probable cause is a technical term that is not easily understood by the average juror. If one were to ask the average juror what probable cause means, the smart money says he will not get even close.
The appellant argues that probable cause has a peculiar and technical meaning in this context and that it should be defined in the charge. In support of this argument, the appellant claims that one court of appeals has held that probable cause should be defined in this context,6 published jury instruction guides include a definition of probable cause, the Texas Supreme Court has required a definition of probable cause,7 and the definition of probable cause varies depending on the area of law in which it is applied.
The State argues that probable cause is not a technical term that should be defined because it embraces a practical, common sense approach in contrast to the terms beyond a reasonable doubt and preponderance of the evidence.
The appellant notes that at least one court of appeals has determined that trial courts should define probable cause in an article 38.23 instruction. In Braggs v. State, 951 S.W.2d 877, 881 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1997, pet. ref'd),8 the court held that an article 38.23 instruction was defective:
This Court recently addressed this issue in Davis v. State, 905 S.W.2d 655, 663-64 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1995, pet. ref'd). As in Davis, the instruction here consists only of an abstract proposition of law drawn directly from Article 38.23. The jury charge does not instruct the jury on the law governing probable cause. The charge does not apply the legal concept to the evidence involved, nor does it ask the jury to resolve the disputed fact issues that either justify or invalidate the officer’s conduct. Id. The charge is defective.
Ibid. Braggs, like the appellant, complained that the trial court faded to include a definition of probable cause. The court of appeals’s holding that the trial court erred by failing to instruct on the law of probable cause seems to be in response to Braggs’s complaint. The Court explained in Braggs and Davis, the case on which Braggs relies, that the explanation, or abstract portion of the charge was required. It is true that we have held that a jury charge should contain the abstract portion of the charge and the application portion. Riley v. State, 830 S.W.2d 584, 586-87 (Tex.Crim.App.1992). But whether the abstract portion of the charge should define a *458term is determined by the rules set out above: Is the term defined in the relevant statute, and if not, is it a technical term that we cannot presume the jury to know and apply? See King v. State, 553 S.W.2d 105, 107 (Tex.Cr.App.1977).
The State notes that at least one other court of appeals has rejected the argument that probable cause should be defined. But in Rendon v. State, 695 S.W.2d 1, 4 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1984, pet. ref'd), the court provides no analysis for its conclusion. It merely explained that Rendon provided no authority for his claim that a definition of probable cause was required. Ibid. This basis was adequate for the court’s disposition of Rondon’s claim, but it does not dispose of the question we address today.
The appellant also argues that because published jury instruction guides recommend the inclusion of a definition of probable cause, the definition should be required. The appellant cites W. Scott Carpenter and Paul J. McClung, Texas Criminal Jury Charges, sections 12:750 & 12:1090.20 (2001), in which the authors conclude that instructions that merely track the language of article 38.23 are inadequate and they include a definition of probable cause in the article 38.23 instruction.
For the proposition that an article 38.23 instruction should do more than track the statutory language, the authors cite Braggs, which relies on Davis v. State, 905 S.W.2d 655, 663-64 (Tex.App.Texarkana 1995, pet. refd). As we explained above, the court in Braggs and Davis did not include analysis or authority for its conclusion other than to say that the instruction must include an abstract explanation of the law and an application of the law to the facts of the case. Braggs, 951 S.W.2d at 881; Davis, 905 S.W.2d at 663-64. The court’s analysis in those cases does not support its conclusion.
For the wording of their recommended instruction, the authors rely on cases that hold an instruction must be given if a question of fact arises under article 38.23,9 and one case that holds an article 38.23 instruction given by the trial court was not an incorrect statement of the law.10 But these cases do not require the trial judge to include a definition of probable cause. This is persuasive authority, but it does not dispose of the question in this case.
The appellant also argues that because civil cases have required a definition of probable cause we should include a definition in this case. The case on which the appellant relies is Akin v. Dahl, 661 S.W.2d 917, 921 (Tex.1983). In that case, the Texas Supreme Court approved of a definition that was used by the trial judge in the case, but did not address the question of whether one must be given. Ibid. This is more persuasive authority that it is advisable to include a definition of probable cause.
The appellant argues that probable cause is a technical term because it is defined differently in different legal contexts. In the context of an article 38.23 instruction, probable cause exists
where police have reasonably trustworthy information, considered as a whole, sufficient to warrant a reasonable person to believe that a particular person *459has committed or is committing an offense. Probable cause requires more than mere suspicion but far less evidence than that needed to support a conviction or even that needed to support a finding by a preponderance of the evidence.
Hughes v. State, 24 S.W.3d 833, 838 (Tex. Crim.App.2000) (citations omitted).
In forfeiture proceedings, the definition is different. Probable cause “is a reasonable belief that a ‘substantial connection exists between the property to be forfeited and the criminal activity defined by the statute.’ ” State v. $11,014-00, 820 S.W.2d 783, 784 (Tex.1991) (citing $56,700 in U.S. Currency v. State, 730 S.W.2d 659 (Tex. 1987)).
In the civil tort malicious prosecution, probable cause is defined similarly to the way we define it in a criminal case. Probable cause is “[t]he existence of such facts and circumstances as would excite belief in a reasonable mind, acting on the facts within the knowledge of the prosecutor, that the person charged was guilty óf the crime for which he was prosecuted.” Akin v. Dahl, 661 S.W.2d 917, 921 (Tex.1983) (citing Ramsey v. Arrott, 64 Tex. 320 (1885)).
The fact that the definition of this term is different in different legal contexts is a good reason to conclude that probable cause is a technical legal term and that we should not assume that jurors know the term and can apply it in context.
The State claims that probable cause is not a technical term that should be defined because it embraces a practical common sense approach in contrast to the terms beyond a reasonable doubt or preponderance of the evidence. It cites In re AA, 929 S.W.2d 649, 653-54 (Tex.App.-San Antonio 1996, no pet.), in which the Court explained:
“Probable cause” for waiver of jurisdiction by the juvenile court is defined as sufficient facts and circumstances to warrant a prudent individual to believe the suspect committed or was committing an offense. “The probable cause standard of proof embraces a practical, common sense approach rather than the more technical standards applied in the burdens of proof either beyond a reasonable doubt or a preponderance of the evidence.”
Ibid, (citations omitted). The definition contains differences, depending on the context, that refute the State’s conclusion. It may be a standard based on common sense, but jurors need to know to what standard they should apply their common sense.
The State also argues that the definition does not have a peculiar meaning because non-legal dictionaries contain definitions of the word. This does not mean that the term has a common and ordinary meaning that we can presume jurors know and can apply.
The definition in non-legal dictionaries provides context for the term: It is used in criminal cases to determine when a criminal charge is well-founded. See, e.g., Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1806 (1969) (“a reasonable ground for supposing that a criminal charge is well-founded”). But the definition we use and apply provides the quality and quantum of information an officer must possess to authorize certain actions. See Hughes, 24 S.W.3d at 838 (“where police have reasonably trustworthy information, considered as a whole, sufficient to warrant a reasonable person to believe that a particular person has committed or is committing an offense”). Knowledge that probable cause is what is required to arrest someone or to support a warrant or to support the presentment of an indictment, does not allow *460the jury to apply the term to the facts and produce a reliable and consistent outcome.
Because the term probable cause has different meanings in different contexts and is not commonly defined in such a way that permits jurors to know its meaning and apply it easily, the term should be defined for purposes of an article 38.23 instruction. Trial courts should apply the definition of probable cause found in Hughes: Probable cause exists
where police have reasonably trustworthy information, considered as a whole, sufficient to warrant a reasonable person to believe that a particular person has committed or is committing an offense. Probable cause requires more than mere suspicion but far less evidence than that needed to support a conviction or even that needed to support a finding by a preponderance of the evidence.
Hughes, 24 S.W.3d at 838 (citations omitted).
That this case involves a swearing match between the officer and the appellant is not the focus of the question we are called on to decide today. The fact that the focus of our inquiry is whether the term is a technical legal term that the trial court should have defined when it gave the charge to the jury. The appellant’s arguments after the charge was given to the jury without the requested language are a concern in determining whether the appellant was harmed. It does not tell us whether the trial court erred when it omitted the definition from the charge.
I would hold that the trial court erred. It is futile to try to measure distance with a ruler that lacks lines of demarcation. Telling a juror to look at facts to determine whether probable cause existed is equally futile unless the juror understands and can apply the term.
The court of appeals erred in holding that probable cause need not be defined. The judgment below should be reversed. Therefore, I would remand the case to that court to address whether the appellant had been harmed.

. Tex.Code Crim. Proc. art. 38.23.

. The portion of the charge that the appellant complains was incomplete reads sis follows:
The court further instructs you that before you may consider the testimony of Steve Stanford concerning the search of the Defendant’s vehicle, you must first find beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer had probable cause to believe and did believe that the defendant did not bring the vehicle he was operating to a stop at the intersection of Cates and Crittendon in Bridgeport, Texas, and if you do not find so beyond a reasonable doubt, or if you have a reasonable doubt, you will disregard such testimony and evidence.

.Article 38.23 reads;
(a) No evidence obtained by an officer or other person in violation of any provisions of the Constitution or laws of the State of Texas, or of the Constitution or laws of the United States of America, shall be admitted in evidence against the accused on the trial of any criminal case.
In any case where the legal evidence raises an issue hereunder, the jury shall be instructed that if it believes, or has a reasonable doubt, that the evidence was obtained in violation of the provisions of this Article, then and in such event, the jury shall disregard any such evidence so obtained.
(b) It is an exception to the provisions of Subsection (a) of this Article that the evi*456dence was obtained by a law enforcement officer acting in objective good faith reliance upon a warrant issued by a neutral magistrate based on probable cause.

. We have applied this test explicitly and implicitly in several cases. See, e.g., Paulson v. State, 28 S.W.3d 570 (Tex.Crim.App.2000) (beyond a reasonable doubt need not be defined); Medford v. State, 13 S.W.3d 769, 772 (Tex.Crim.App.2000) (arrest should be defined); Motley v. State, 773 S.W.2d 283, 289-90 (Tex.Crim.App. 1989) (deliberately and intentionally need not be defined); Whaley v. State, 717 S.W.2d 26, 30-31 (Tex.Crim.App. 1986) (constructive transfer should be defined); MacDougall v. State, 702 S.W.2d 650, 652 (Tex.Crim.App.1986) (deception should be defined); Phillips v. State, 597 S.W.2d 929, 937 (Tex.Crim.App.1980) ("violate or abuse sexually” need not be defined); Coplin v. State, 585 S.W.2d 734, 736 (Tex.Crim.App. 1979) (fiduciary property, commercial bailee, trustee, guardian, administrator, executor, conservator, receiver, and managing partner need not be defined because they are not essential to prosecution under Penal Code section 32.45, misapplication of fiduciary property); Ahearn v. State, 588 S.W.2d 327, 338 (Tex.Crim.App. 1979) (serious physical deficiency need not be defined in context of injury to a child); Mitchell v. State, 135 Tex. Crim. 176, 178, 117 S.W.2d 443, 445 (1938) (unlawful arrest should be defined).

. This provisions has been revised by the legislature. Today, Article 3.01 reads: "All words, phrases, and terms used in this Code are to be taken and understood in their usual acceptation in common language, except where specially defined.”

. The appellant cites Braggs v. State, 951 S.W.2d 877, 881 (Tex.App.-Texarkana 1997, pet. ref'd) (holding article 38.23 instruction inadequate for failure to define probable cause and reasonable suspicion).

. The appellant cites Akin v. Dahl, 661 S.W.2d 917, 921 (Tex.1983).

.The State argues that the appellant's reliance on Braggs does not help him because here, as in Braggs, the defendant’s request was not specific enough. Therefore, the State argues, the Court of Appeals properly affirmed the trial court because no egregious harm was shown. This does not defeat the appellant’s argument.

. Jordan v. State, 562 S.W.2d 472, 472-473 (Tex.Crim.App.1978) (requiring an article 38.23 instruction when a question of fact was raised concerning the legality of the way evidence was obtained).

. Attwood v. State, 509 S.W.2d 342, 346 (Tex.Crim.App.1974) (approving of an article 38.23 instruction when a definition of probable cause appeared elsewhere in the charge, a fact which was not mentioned by the Court).