In Texas and other states, being mistaken about the facts and circumstances involved in your alleged crime can be a defense that will help you avoid getting convicted. This “mistake of fact” defense does not apply to all crimes, but if it does apply, it could be your strongest defense.
“Mistake of Fact” Is an Affirmative Defense
“Mistake of fact” is what is known as an affirmative defense. With an affirmative defense, you are essentially admitting that the criminal act took place, but are also arguing that you lacked the necessary criminal intent in order to be found guilty in a court of law. In Texas, the law states:
(a) It is a defense to prosecution that the actor through mistake formed a reasonable belief about a matter of fact if his mistaken belief negated the kind of culpability required for commission of the offense.
(b) Although an actor’s mistake of fact may constitute a defense to the offense charged, he may nevertheless be convicted of any lesser included offense of which he would be guilty if the fact were as he believed.
Texas Penal Code Section 8.02.
In other words, although you may have taken the steps necessary to commit a crime, you did so not knowing that those steps gave rise to criminal culpability.
Limitations of the “Mistake of Fact” Defense
While the “mistake of fact” defense provides critical safeguards for individuals who make honest mistakes, it comes with three important limitations.
- Limitation #1: It only applies to crimes that require criminal intent. Some crimes require criminal intent (known as “mens rea“), while other crimes simply require the commission of a criminal act. The “mistake of fact” defense is not available for this second category of offenses, known as “strict liability” crimes.
- Limitation #2: It only applies to mistakes of fact, not mistakes of law. While there is a separate “mistake of law” defense, its scope is severely limited. To illustrate, the “mistake of fact” defense would protect you if you picked up someone else’s cell phone believing it was yours; however, it would not protect you if you knowingly took someone else’s phone because you did not believe that theft was a crime.
- Limitation #3: The mistake must be honest and reasonable. You are not entitled to assert the “mistake of fact” defense if you (i) did not honestly believe the mistaken facts, or (ii) did not have reasonable support for your mistaken belief.
Note that, in some cases, the “mistake of fact” defense could protect you from a conviction for one crime while still allowing you to be convicted for another. For example, in some cases, lesser included offenses will be “strict liability” crimes that do not require criminal intent.
Before claiming a “mistake of fact”, it is critical to understand the law and make informed decisions about your defense strategy. We invite you to contact us to learn more.
Request a Free Criminal Case Evaluation at The Criminal Defense Firm
If you have been charged with a crime in Texas or in any other state across the country, the experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm can help. Call 866-603-4540 or contact us online now to request a free criminal case evaluation.
Brian Kuester offers his extensive experience to counsel companies and individuals under civil or criminal government investigation. When resolution requires litigation, clients choose Mr. Kuester’s proven court and litigation experience.