Travis Texas Jury Instruction Impeachmenten— - Inconsistent Statement and Felony Conviction — Defendant Testifies With Felony Conviction In criminal trials, the Travis Texas Jury Instruction on Impeachment with Inconsistent Statement and Felony Conviction comes into play when a defendant who has a prior felony conviction chooses to testify in their own defense. This jury instruction aims to guide the jury on how to evaluate the defendant's credibility considering their past felony conviction and any inconsistent statements made during the trial. When a defendant with a felony conviction takes the stand, the jury must carefully weigh the defendant's testimony in light of their prior conviction. The purpose is to ensure that the jury does not automatically discredit the defendant's statements based solely on their conviction, while still recognizing the potential impact it may have on their credibility. The Travis Texas Jury Instruction on Impeachment with Inconsistent Statement and Felony Conviction has several variations, depending on the specific circumstances of the case: 1. Basic Instruction: The standard instruction is given when the defendant testifies and has a prior felony conviction. It informs the jury that they can consider the defendant's prior conviction while assessing their credibility. This instruction acts as a reminder to the jury to evaluate the defendant's testimony with caution due to their criminal history. 2. Inconsistent Statements: This variation emphasizes the importance of inconsistencies in the defendant's statements. It guides the jury to assess whether the defendant's prior felony conviction influences their tendency to make inconsistent statements during the trial. The jury is reminded to carefully scrutinize the defendant's credibility considering both their past conviction and any inconsistencies in their statements. 3. Rehabilitation Instruction: In some cases, the defense may try to rehabilitate the defendant's credibility after presenting evidence of a prior felony conviction. This instruction advises the jury to consider any evidence introduced by the defense that may be relevant to the defendant's credibility. It ensures that the jury evaluates the defendant's entire testimony, including any attempts to mitigate the impact of their prior conviction. 4. Jury Deliberation Instruction: Once the trial concludes, the jury may receive an additional instruction to guide their deliberation. This instruction reminds the jury to consider the defendant's prior felony conviction along with all the evidence presented during the trial when assessing their overall credibility. It serves as a final reminder to the jury to reach a fair and impartial verdict based on the entirety of the case. In summary, the Travis Texas Jury Instruction on Impeachment with Inconsistent Statement and Felony Conviction provides a framework for the jury to evaluate the credibility of a defendant who testifies despite having a prior felony conviction. It aims to strike a balance between recognizing the impact of the conviction on credibility while ensuring that the defendant receives a fair trial based on all evidence presented.