Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, 1955

Smith v. State

Smith v. State
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas · Decided October 19, 1955 · Davidson
282 S.W.2d 876; 162 Tex. Crim. 132; 1955 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 1571 (South Western Reporter, Second Series)

Smith v. State

Opinion

DAVIDSON. Judge.

This is a - conviction for forgery, with punishment assessed at two years in the penitentiary. ' - .

Under the statute, Art. 979, P.C., an essential element of the crime of forgery is the making “without lawful authority” of a false instrument in writing, purporting to be the act of. another, with the intent to injure or defraud.

The instant indictment contains no allegation that the check described therein, wfiich upon its face purported to be the act of another,-was made “without lawful authority”.

The absence of such allegation renders the indictment fatally defective. Branch’s P.C., Sec. 1403, p. 856; Willson’s Criminal Forms, No. 430; Pye v. State, 71 Tex.Cr.R. 94, 154 S.W. 222.

Accordingly, the judgment is- reversed and prosecution ordered dismissed. ■

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