Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976). · Go Syfert
Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“penetration between the labia of the female's private parts . . . is sufficient although the vagina was not entered . . .”
70 citation events (45 in the last 25 years) across 5 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: David Roy Mundt v. the State of Texas (txctapp6, 2026-03-06)
Treatment trajectory · 1976 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1976 2001 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 37 distinct citers.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) David Roy Mundt v. the State of Texas
txctapp6 · 2026 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
insertion of penis between labia suffices to show penetration even if vagina not entered
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Robert Wayne McCulloch v. State
Tex. App. · 2004 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
penetration between the labia of the female's private parts . . . is sufficient although the vagina was not entered . . .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Jorge Barragan v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Id.; Sherbert 5 v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Joseph Prestiano v. State
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Dixon v. State, 886 S.W.2d 852, 856 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1994, pet. ref’d) (female defendant who forced child to perform oral sex on her penetrated child’s mouth with her sexual organ as her labia was in child’s mouth); see also Vernon, 841 S.W.2d at 408–10 (evidence that defendant inserted finger into child’s outer labia but not into vagina sufficed to prove penetration); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Richard Wayne Hammer v. State
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Troy Luther Williams v. State
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
App. 1992)). 7 Id. (quoting Vernon, 841 S.W.2d at 409-10 ). 8 Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Green, Joseph Lester
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
App. 1977); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Manuel Vargas Gonzalez v. State
Tex. App. · 2011 · confidence medium
App. 1997) (holding that slightest penetration of female sexual organ is sufficient to prove penetration even though vagina not entered); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Saul Miramontes Soto v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Saul Miramontes Soto v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Rafael Gomez v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Carlos Andres Sepulveda v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
App. 1992) (holding that 8 slightest penetration of female sexual organ is sufficient to prove penetration even though vagina not entered); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Carlos Andres Sepulveda v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
App. 1992) (holding that slightest penetration of female sexual organ is sufficient to prove penetration even though vagina not entered); Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lorenzo Emilio Rodriguez v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
Proof that the vagina was penetrated is not necessary, and "[p]enetration between the labia of the female's private parts by the male sexual organ of the defendant is sufficient although the vagina was not entered or an act of intercourse was never completed." Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lorenzo Emilio Rodriguez v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
Proof that the vagina was penetrated is not necessary, and "[p]enetration between the labia of the female's private parts by the male sexual organ of the defendant is sufficient although the vagina was not entered or an act of intercourse was 4 never completed." Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Carey Lee Cramer v. State (3×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Carey Lee Cramer v. State (3×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jeremy Jerome Johnson v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
See Vernon v. State, 841 S.W.2d 407, 409 (Tex.Crim.App. 1992); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App. 1976); Nilsson v. State, 477 S.W.2d 592, 595 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972); Lopez v. State, 2006 WL 736976 at *4-5 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2006, pet. ref’d).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jeremy Jerome Johnson v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
See Vernon v. State , 841 S.W.2d 407, 409 (Tex.Crim.App. 1992); Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App. 1976); Nilsson v. State , 477 S.W.2d 592, 595 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972); Lopez v. State , 2006 WL 736976 at *4-5 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2006, pet. ref'd).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Apolonio Castillo, Jr. v. State
Tex. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
App. 1992) (holding penetration occurs where the contact is more intrusive than contact with the outer labia and even the slightest penetration of the female sexual organ is sufficient to prove penetration); Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Randy Wilson v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Simmons (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Utah · 1988 · confidence medium
The jury in this case was given an instruction in accordance with this standard. [16] See, e.g., Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Borjan v. State
Tex. App. · 1986 · confidence medium
See Garcia v. State, 563 S.W.2d 925, 928 (Tex.Crim.App.1978); Cowan v. State, 562 S.W.2d 236, 238 (Tex. Crim.App.1978); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App.).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Lenzy v. State
Tex. App. · 1985 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App.1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Martinez v. State
Tex. App. · 1983 · confidence medium
Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Cr.App.1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hernandez v. State (2×)
Tex. App. · 1982 · confidence medium
See Garcia v. State, 563 S.W.2d 925 (Tex.Cr.App.1978); Cowan v. State, 562 S.W.2d 236 (Tex.Cr.App.1978); Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Cr.App.1976).
discussed Cited "see" Jerry Lynn Turner v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2021 · signal: see · confidence high
See generally Sherbert, 531 S.W.2d at 637 . 9 See also Wilson v. State, 905 S.W.2d 46 , 48–49 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 1995, no pet.) (holding the instruction “penetration is complete, however slight” was not an improper definition); Rawlings v. State, 874 S.W.2d 740, 744 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1994, no pet.) (holding the instruction “‘penetration’ is complete however slight” was not a definition—rather an instruction to the jury that the penetration element of the State’s case would be satisfied if the evidence showed penetration, however slight, beyond a reas…
discussed Cited "see" Robert Herrera Sr. v. State
Tex. App. · 2009 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited "see" Paul Lee v. State
Tex. App. · 2005 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
cited Cited "see" Alfonso Moreno v. State
Tex. App. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited "see" Wilson v. State
Tex. App. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
Id.; see Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App.1976); Zuniga v. State, 811 S.W.2d 177, 180 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1991, no pet.) (penetration is proven by showing penetration, no matter how slight).
discussed Cited "see" Rawlings v. State
Tex. App. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App.1976); Zuniga v. State, 811 S.W.2d 177, 180 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1991, no pet.) (penetration is proven by the showing of any penetration, no matter how slight).
discussed Cited "see" Vernon v. State
Tex. Crim. App. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App.1976); Lynch v. State, 150 Tex.Crim. 57 , 199 S.W.2d 780 (1947); Sanders v. State, 127 Tex.Crim. 55 , 75 S.W.2d 116, 117 (1934); Mirick v. State, 83 Tex.Crim. 388 , 204 S.W. 222 , 225 (1918); Watkins v. State, 78 Tex.Crim. 65 , 180 S.W. 116 , 117 (1915).
cited Cited "see" Villanueva v. State
Tex. App. · 1985 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex.Crim.App.1976); Gonzalez v. State, 647 S.W.2d 369, 371 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1983, pet. ref’d).
discussed Cited "see" McManus v. State (2×)
Tex. Crim. App. · 1979 · signal: see · confidence high
See, Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636 (Tex.Cr.App.1976); Hoffman v. State, 514 S.W.2d 248 (Tex.Cr.App.1974); Harrison v. State, 495 S.W.2d 930 (Tex.Cr.App.1973).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Samuel Jurado v. State
Tex. App. · 2008 · signal: see also · confidence medium
App. 1992) (holding that slightest penetration of female sexual organ is sufficient to prove penetration even though vagina is not entered); see also Sherbert v. State , 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." G. W. Sneed v. Jackson National Life Distributors, Inc. D/B/A Jackson National Life Insurance
Tex. App. · 2008 · signal: see also · confidence medium
App. 1992) (holding that slightest penetration of female sexual organ is sufficient to prove penetration even though vagina is not entered); see also Sherbert v. State, 531 S.W.2d 636, 637 (Tex. Crim.
Leon Jack SHERBERT, Appellant,
v.
the STATE of Texas, Appellee
50837.
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
Jan 21, 1976.
531 S.W.2d 636
Douglas H. Parks, Dallas, for appellant., Henry Wade, Dist. Atty., Gary Love, Robert Hinton and Dale Markland, Asst. Dist. Attys., Dallas, Jim D. Vollers, State’s Atty., and David S. McAngus, Asst. State’s Atty., Austin, for the State.
Davis.
Cited by 56 opinions  |  Published

OPINION

DAVIS, Commissioner.

Appeal is taken from a conviction for rape of a child as denounced by V.T.C.A. Penal Code, Sec. 21.09. Punishment was assessed by the jury at twenty years.

The indictment alleged the offense occurred on or about May 19, 1974 and the[*637] record reflects that trial was in November, 1974.

At the outset, appellant contends that “the evidence is insufficient for the reason that the record does not reflect penetration of appellant’s sexual organ into that of the complaining witness.”

V.T.C.A. Penal Code, Sec. 21.01(3) provides:

“ ‘Sexual intercourse’ means any penetration of the female sex organ by the male sex organ.”

The record reflects the eleven-year-old prosecutrix testified:

“A. He [appellant] unzipped his pants and put his thing in my thing.
“Q. His thing? You mean his male sexual organ?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. . . . Did Leon Jack Sherbert, this Defendant right here, stick his male sexual organ, as you call his thing, into your thing, your female sexual organ?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. And did he push and push and push his male sexual organ against and into your female sexual organ?
“A. Yes, sir.”

Dr. James D. Strong testified that upon examination of prosecutrix he found “some abraded or raw areas on the inner surface into the area around the vagina” and that these abrasions were compatible “with abrasions caused by the friction of a human male sexual organ rubbing against these parts of the labia majora and the labia minora of [prosecutrix].” We cannot agree with appellant’s argument that the testimony of Dr. Strong that the abrasions could have resulted from other causes such as a hand or a finger rendered the evidence insufficient to support the verdict.

The burden of proof upon the State in proving penetration is no greater under V.T.C.A. Penal Code, Sec. 21.01(3) than it was under Art. 1187, V.A.P.C. [1] This Court has held that the requirement of Art. 1187, V.A.P.C. is satisfied by showing any penetration, no matter how slight. Rhynes v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 479 S.W.2d 70; Nilsson v. State, 477 S.W.2d 592; Johnson v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 449 S.W.2d 65. While proof of the slightest penetration is sufficient, this element of the offense must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Lynch v. State, 150 Tex.Cr.R. 57, 199 S.W.2d 780; Calhoun v. State, 134 Tex.Cr.R. 423, 115 S.W.2d 965. Penetration between the labia of the female’s private parts by the male sexual organ of the defendant is sufficient although the vagina was not entered or an act of intercourse was never completed. Rhynes v. State, supra.

We find that the evidence was ample to prove the act of penetration and conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction. Nicholas v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 478 S.W.2d 494; Sanchez v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 479 S.W.2d 933.

Appellant contends the court erred in allowing the prosecutrix to relate the hearsay comments of a third party.

The record reflects the following testimony of prosecutrix which gives rise to appellant’s contention:

“Q. And that night, in the confines of that bathroom, did you confide in Tommie Sue?
“A. Yes, sir.
[*638] “Q. And what did you tell her?
“A. I told her that Jack [appellant] had been bothering me.
“Q. And what did she tell you?
“A. She said, ‘I had been expecting that.’ ”

Appellant objected to the statement of the third party as being hearsay and prejudicial and the court overruled the objection.

The same information relative to Tommie Sue telling prosecutrix that she “expected that” after prosecutrix had told her about the events in question was later admitted without objection. Nothing is presented for review. Mutscher v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 514 S.W.2d 905; Amaya v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 473 S.W.2d 476; Vela v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 516 S.W.2d 176.

Appellant contends the court erred in refusing to allow appellant to impeach the prosecutrix by use of the examining trial transcript.

Appellant points to the testimony of pros-ecutrix that appellant had attempted to fondle her on two occasions and complains that the court refused to allow appellant to impeach prosecutrix with examining trial testimony of prosecutrix to the effect that the occasion in question was the first time appellant had attempted to bother her.

The record reflects the following testimony was elicited from prosecutrix by appellant before proffer of the examining trial testimony for impeachment:

“Q. As opposed to any other dates, May the 19th [date of the alleged offense] was the couch date, and he asked you [at the examining trial] if Jack had ever touched you before that couch day and you answered that he hadn’t. Do you remember that?
“A. Yes, sir.”

When a witness admits making the prior inconsistent statement, such statement is not admissible, for under such circumstances the witness has performed the act of impeachment. Wood v. State, Tex.Cr.App., 511 S.W.2d 37; Hoffman v. State, Tex.Cr. App., 514 S.W.2d 248. No error is shown.

The judgment is affirmed.

Opinion approved by the Court.

1

. Art. 1187, V.A.P.C. provided:

“Penetration only is necessary to be proved on a trial for rape.” The Commentary following Sec. 21.01, supra, notes:
“The definition of ‘sexual intercourse’ contained in Subdivision (3) does not change prior Texas law, but retains, for example, the requirement of penetration, however slight, Penal Code art. 1187; e. g., Flannery v. State, 135 Tex.Cr.R. 235, 117 S.W.2d 1111 (1938).”