ambiguous instruction (Texas) · Go Syfert
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ambiguous instruction in Texas

8 Texas opinions name it 2 courts 1981–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Texas courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (7)

CaseFollowedCited
Christie, Mitchell and Mitchell Co. v. Selzgreen
texapp · 1958 · cited in 2 Texas opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
2 sentences

2001Christi, Mitchell & Mitchell Co. v. Selz , 313 S.W.2d 352, 354 (Tex. Civ.

2001Christie, Mitchell & Mitchell Co. v. Selz, 313 S.W.2d 352, 354 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1958, writ dism’d w.o.j.); Union Sulphur Co. v. Texas Gulf Sulphur Co., 42 S.W.2d 182, 188 (Tex.Civ.App.—Austin 1931, writ ref'd); Marchman v. McCoy Hotel Operating Co., 21 S.W.2d 552, 557 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1929, no writ); Fort Worth Mut.

22
Warner v. Stategreen
texcrimapp · 2008 · cited in 1 Texas opinions naming this issue, 2009–2009
2 sentences

2009This was an ambiguous instruction, like the one given in Penry II, that, on its face, could be interpreted either as telling the jury (1) to take “mitigating evidence into account in determining their difficult standard which must be borne out by the trial record.”). 28 Warner v. State, 245 S.W.3d 458, 461 (Tex. Crim.

2009App. 2008). 29 Id. 30 Id. at 461-62 .

11
Middleton v. Kawasaki Steel Corp.green
texapp · 1985 · cited in 1 Texas opinions naming this issue, 2003–2003
1 sentence

2003Middleton v. Kawasaki Steel Corp., 687 S.W.2d 42, 44 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.]), writ ref'd n.r.e., 699 S.W.2d 199 (Tex.1985) (per curiam). *258 Issue one: Whether Lopez's September 25 Letter is Ambiguous In issue one, MPI challenges the trial court's legal conclusion that Lopez's September 25 letter, in which he stated, "I, personally, guaranty all outstandings and liabilities of Sacos Tubularies," was ambiguous.

11
Marchman v. McCoy Hotel Operating Co.green
texapp · 1929 · cited in 1 Texas opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001Christie, Mitchell & Mitchell Co. v. Selz, 313 S.W.2d 352, 354 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1958, writ dism’d w.o.j.); Union Sulphur Co. v. Texas Gulf Sulphur Co., 42 S.W.2d 182, 188 (Tex.Civ.App.—Austin 1931, writ ref'd); Marchman v. McCoy Hotel Operating Co., 21 S.W.2d 552, 557 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1929, no writ); Fort Worth Mut.

11
Union Sulphur Co. v. Texas Gulf Sulphur Co.green
texapp · 1931 · cited in 1 Texas opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001Christie, Mitchell & Mitchell Co. v. Selz, 313 S.W.2d 352, 354 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1958, writ dism’d w.o.j.); Union Sulphur Co. v. Texas Gulf Sulphur Co., 42 S.W.2d 182, 188 (Tex.Civ.App.—Austin 1931, writ ref'd); Marchman v. McCoy Hotel Operating Co., 21 S.W.2d 552, 557 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth 1929, no writ); Fort Worth Mut.

11
State v. Addingtongreen
tex · 1979 · cited in 1 Texas opinions naming this issue, 1985–1985
1 sentence

1985Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418 , 99 S.Ct. 1804 , 60 L.Ed.2d 323 (1979), on remand, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex.1979), mandated that the standard for involuntary commitment in mental health cases must be the clear and convincing standard of proof.

11
Ex Parte McManusgreen
texapp · 1979 · cited in 1 Texas opinions naming this issue, 1981–1981
1 sentence

1981Ex Parte Slavin, 412 S.W.2d 43 (Tex.Sup.1967); Ex Parte McManus, supra, at 793; Ex Parte Butler, 523 S.W.2d 309 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, no writ); Ex Parte Hart, 520 S.W.2d 952 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1975, no writ).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Texas. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (10)

CaseCitedYears
In Re ALE green
texapp · 2009
1 sentence

2025Viewing the record as a whole, this evidence was far too weak to allow a reasonable factfinder to conclude not only that Mother had used illegal substances but also that her use had risen to the level of a material and substantial change to her parental fitness or Peter’s circumstances so as to justify “the disturbing influence of re-litigation.” Knowles, 437 S.W.2d at 817 ; cf. In re L.Z.U., No. 04-21-00493-CV, 2022 WL 5047969 , at *4 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 5, 2022, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding sufficient evidence of material and substantial change when mother admitted using multiple dru

12025–2025
Knowles v. Grimes green
tex · 1969
1 sentence

2025Viewing the record as a whole, this evidence was far too weak to allow a reasonable factfinder to conclude not only that Mother had used illegal substances but also that her use had risen to the level of a material and substantial change to her parental fitness or Peter’s circumstances so as to justify “the disturbing influence of re-litigation.” Knowles, 437 S.W.2d at 817 ; cf. In re L.Z.U., No. 04-21-00493-CV, 2022 WL 5047969 , at *4 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Oct. 5, 2022, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding sufficient evidence of material and substantial change when mother admitted using multiple dru

12025–2025
Smith v. Texas green
scotus · 2004
2 sentences

2009In Penry II, the Supreme Court suggested that discussions during voir dire and closing arguments might be used to clarify that an ambiguous instruction was in fact a nullification instruction.35 In that case, the judge, the prosecutor, and defense counsel explained the instruction in nullification terms during voir dire, and defense counsel gave a similar explanation during closing 31 See Penry II, 532 U.S. at 798 (quoting the State’s brief; ellipses omitted). 32 Id. 33 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 ; Penry II at 799-800. 34 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 . 35 532 U.S. at 800-01 .

2009In Penry II, the Supreme Court suggested that discussions during voir dire and closing arguments might be used to clarify that an ambiguous instruction was in fact a nullification instruction.35 In that case, the judge, the prosecutor, and defense counsel explained the instruction in nullification terms during voir dire, and defense counsel gave a similar explanation during closing 31 See Penry II, 532 U.S. at 798 (quoting the State’s brief; ellipses omitted). 32 Id. 33 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 ; Penry II at 799-800. 34 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 . 35 532 U.S. at 800-01 .

12009–2009
Penry v. Johnson green
scotus · 2001
2 sentences

2009In Penry II, the Supreme Court suggested that discussions during voir dire and closing arguments might be used to clarify that an ambiguous instruction was in fact a nullification instruction.35 In that case, the judge, the prosecutor, and defense counsel explained the instruction in nullification terms during voir dire, and defense counsel gave a similar explanation during closing 31 See Penry II, 532 U.S. at 798 (quoting the State’s brief; ellipses omitted). 32 Id. 33 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 ; Penry II at 799-800. 34 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 . 35 532 U.S. at 800-01 .

2009In Penry II, the Supreme Court suggested that discussions during voir dire and closing arguments might be used to clarify that an ambiguous instruction was in fact a nullification instruction.35 In that case, the judge, the prosecutor, and defense counsel explained the instruction in nullification terms during voir dire, and defense counsel gave a similar explanation during closing 31 See Penry II, 532 U.S. at 798 (quoting the State’s brief; ellipses omitted). 32 Id. 33 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 ; Penry II at 799-800. 34 Smith I, 543 U.S. at 47-48 . 35 532 U.S. at 800-01 .

12009–2009
Kawasaki Steel Corp. v. Middleton green
tex · 1985
1 sentence

2003Middleton v. Kawasaki Steel Corp., 687 S.W.2d 42, 44 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.]), writ ref'd n.r.e., 699 S.W.2d 199 (Tex.1985) (per curiam). *258 Issue one: Whether Lopez's September 25 Letter is Ambiguous In issue one, MPI challenges the trial court's legal conclusion that Lopez's September 25 letter, in which he stated, "I, personally, guaranty all outstandings and liabilities of Sacos Tubularies," was ambiguous.

12003–2003
Addington v. Texas green
scotus · 1979
2 sentences

1985Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418 , 99 S.Ct. 1804 , 60 L.Ed.2d 323 (1979), on remand, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex.1979), mandated that the standard for involuntary commitment in mental health cases must be the clear and convincing standard of proof.

1985Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418 , 99 S.Ct. 1804 , 60 L.Ed.2d 323 (1979), on remand, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex.1979), mandated that the standard for involuntary commitment in mental health cases must be the clear and convincing standard of proof.

11985–1985
Fruhman v. Nawcas Benevolent Auxiliary green
texapp · 1969
1 sentence

1982Fruhman v. Nawcas Benevolent Auxiliary, 436 S.W.2d 912 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1969, writ ref’d n. r. e.).

11982–1982
Ex Parte Butler green
texapp · 1975
1 sentence

1981Ex Parte Slavin, 412 S.W.2d 43 (Tex.Sup.1967); Ex Parte McManus, supra, at 793; Ex Parte Butler, 523 S.W.2d 309 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, no writ); Ex Parte Hart, 520 S.W.2d 952 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1975, no writ).

11981–1981
Ex Parte Hart green
texapp · 1975
1 sentence

1981Ex Parte Slavin, 412 S.W.2d 43 (Tex.Sup.1967); Ex Parte McManus, supra, at 793; Ex Parte Butler, 523 S.W.2d 309 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, no writ); Ex Parte Hart, 520 S.W.2d 952 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1975, no writ).

11981–1981
Ex Parte Slavin green
tex · 1967
1 sentence

1981Ex Parte Slavin, 412 S.W.2d 43 (Tex.Sup.1967); Ex Parte McManus, supra, at 793; Ex Parte Butler, 523 S.W.2d 309 (Tex.Civ.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1975, no writ); Ex Parte Hart, 520 S.W.2d 952 (Tex.Civ.App.—Dallas 1975, no writ).

11981–1981

Where else courts name it

CA 51 (1939–2025) NJ 18 (1953–2022) MD 13 (1958–2016) NH 12 (1985–2023) NM 10 (1986–2022) IL 10 (1904–2021) LA 10 (1933–2006) WA 9 (1997–2025) WI 8 (2003–2024) TX 8 (1981–2025) MO 8 (1960–2018) OH 7 (2000–2019) DC 6 (1981–2021) OR 5 (1968–2020) HI 5 (1950–2017) NY 5 (1985–2022) NC 5 (1990–2007) CO 5 (2000–2026) FL 5 (1991–2011) PA 5 (1930–2026) WV 4 (1925–2025) CT 3 (1989–2012) ME 3 (1981–2025) ID 3 (2009–2009) UT 2 (2000–2012) KY 2 (2022–2024) AZ 2 (1995–2014) DE 2 (2017–2024) VT 2 (2004–2011) KS 2 (1990–2016) SD 2 (2009–2009) TN 2 (1993–2016) GA 2 (1963–1996) MI 2 (1975–1991) MN 2 (2005–2016)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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