The Texas Pattern Jury Charges series is widely accepted by attorneys and judges as the most authoritative guide for drafting questions, instructions, and definitions in a broad variety of cases.

Each Texas Pattern Jury Charges volume includes an electronic version with the entire book as a hyperlinked and word-searchable PDF file, also available for purchase separately. All charge language is included as Word files linked to the comments for quick retrieval and assembly of jury charges. Texas case citations are linked to PDF files of the cases and to an online version of the Casemaker Web Library.

Pattern Jury Charges Committees:

• Business, Consumer, Insurance & Employment

• Criminal

• Family and Probate

• General Negligence, Intentional Personal Torts & Workers’ Compensation

• Malpractice, Premises & Products

• Oil and Gas

• Oversight

Department Contact
Texas Bar Books
(512) 427-1411
books@texasbar.com
texasbarbooks.net

Purpose

To prepare and periodically revise pattern jury charges for common law and statutory claims encountered in consumer, insurance, business, commercial, and employment litigation. The committee shall consist of a balance of judges, plaintiffs, and defense lawyers with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice under review by this committee.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Complete materials for the 2020 publication by the end of the fiscal year; work with Oversight to ensure that all materials are accurate

• Finalize new materials and work closely with the other PJC committees on cross-volume issues

• Complete a thorough review of existing charges and update materials to reflect new and changing laws

Staff Contact

Elma Garcia
Publications Attorney
(512) 427-1858

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Purpose

To monitor statutory and case law developments in criminal law and prepare supplementation as needed for Pattern Jury Charges - Criminal. The committee shall consist of a balance of judges and practitioners with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice under review by this committee.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Draft, discuss, and finalize proposals for changes based on member and outside contributor feedback

• Review existing commentary and instructions for 2016 Crimes Against Persons & Property Volume for legislative updates and new case law

• Continue to draft instructions for new offenses to supplement CAP&P volume

Staff Contact

James Norman
Attorney I
(512) 427-1460

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Purpose

To monitor statutory and case law developments in family and probate law and prepare supplementation as needed for Pattern Jury Charges - Family and Probate. The committee shall consist of a balance of judges and practitioners with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice under review by this committee.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Update various instructions with 2019 legislative changes

• Review all chapters for updated or corrected cites

• Consider updated attorney’s fees issues and instruction

• Review breach of fiduciary duty issues and instructions

Staff Contact

James Norman
Attorney I
(512) 427-1460

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Purpose

To monitor statutory and case law developments in the subject matter of this PJC volume and prepare supplementation as needed. The committee shall consist of a balance of judges, plaintiffs’, and defense lawyers with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice under review by this committee.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Review new case developments and update the volume as necessary

• Review recent case law which may impact the theft liability section and the animal injury section

• Research case law applicable to PJC 28.8 (Aggravation of Other Conditions) and PJC 28.9 (Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions) to ensure that these chapters accurately reflect Texas law

• Research a recent publication on “implicit bias” to determine whether it may impact the instructions provided to the jury

• Research whether a commentary should be provided to address the possibility of double taxation of property damage recoveries in the wake of the J&D Towing case

• Some committee members serve on a subcommittee with other volumes to explore the possibility of developing “cap busting” questions in accordance with Tex. Civ. Pract. & Remedies Code 41.008

Staff Contact

Vickie Tatum
Publications Attorney
(512) 427-1487

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Purpose

To monitor statutory and case law developments in the subject matter of this PJC volume and prepare supplementation as needed. The committee shall consist of a balance of judges, plaintiffs, and defense lawyers with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice under review by the committee.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Update the volume to reflect changes enacted by the 2019 legislature and continue to monitor relevant case law

• Make changes to the charges and instructions for standard of care in emergency health care settings, charges and instructions for the Emergency Treatment and Active Labor Act, and other areas

• Study and monitor actual notice under the Texas Tort Claims Act, the discovery rule in attorney malpractice and related actions, open and obvious conditions in premises cases, affirmative defenses in wrongful death actions against healthcare providers, whether juries should be instructed that property damages are subject to taxation, and jury charges for attorney’s fees

Staff Contact

James Norman
Attorney I
(512) 427-1460

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Purpose

To monitor statutory and case law developments in the subject matter for this PJC volume and prepare supplementation as needed. The committee shall consist of a balance of judges, and practitioners with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice under review by the committee.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Complete the 2020 PJC edition

• Review each section to update case and statutory law as needed

• Finalize drafts of new material, including an expanded discussion of Improper Use of Real Property and relevant damages charges

• Collaborate with other PJC committees to ensure accuracy and consistency between the volumes and to address any overlapping issues

Staff Contact

Elma Garcia
Publications Attorney
(512) 427-1858

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Purpose

To set appropriate policies and standards, to act as an oversight and coordinating committee for the PJC committees, and to concern itself with the study and formulation of the form of charges submitted for publication through the Books and Systems Department. The membership of the PJC - Oversight Committee shall consist of two ex-officio members of the Texas Supreme Court as designated by the Supreme Court, a balance of district and appellate court judges, and a balance of lawyers with demonstrated expertise in the various areas of practice, including plaintiffs and defense lawyers, and general member appointments.

2019-2020 Objectives

• Review and assist with finalizing materials for all 2020 PJC volumes

• Work closely with each volume to approve new charges and to review substantive changes

• Complete comprehensive updates to attorney fee questions to reflect current law

• Consider whether revisions are needed to questions and instructions on “cap-busting”

• Facilitate efforts between committees when revisions are made or new materials are drafted for issues that affect multiple volumes

Staff Contact

Elma Garcia
Publications Attorney
(512) 427-1858

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