Hanks v. State
Texas Court of Appeals
13 Tex. App. 289 (1882)
Relevant factsFree
Hanks and P.F. Dillman (defendants) were indicted in Travis County, Texas, for forging a transfer of a land certificate for Texas property, even though every act of the forgery itself occurred in Louisiana. Texas's Penal Code purported to give the state jurisdiction over acts committed outside its borders that caused injury within Texas. Defendants moved to quash the indictment, arguing the Texas Legislature lacked authority to reach conduct occurring entirely outside the state. They were convicted and appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a state legislature may constitutionally enact a law that punishes acts committed outside the state when their ultimate and injurious result occurs within the state.