Texas Crimes

Texas law describes hundreds of different offenses throughout various codes. All of these offenses are subject to limitations provided by the United States and Texas Constitutions. The Texas legislature must pass a law before you can be convicted of it, and not every law that passes the legislature meets constitutional requirements. In this section of the website, we attempt to describe many of the various laws passed by the Texas legislature.

Click on the link to learn more about the specific offense

All of the Texas state offenses in the Penal Code and other related statutes in Texas law are listed below. The list starts with the Penal Code, beginning from the lowest-number chapter and section and progressing through the highest-numbered sections. The list then continues with the other codes organized in the same manner. Alternatively, you can click on a category to view that category’s specific page.

CATEGORIES OF TEXAS CRIMES

Intoxication & Alcohol Crimes like DWI, DUI and Public Intoxication

Sex Crimes, such as Sexual Assault, Prostitution and Indecent Exposure

Child Abuse Crimes like Indecency with a Child, Injury to a Child and Child Pornography

White Collar Crimes like Bribery, Money Laundering and Fraud

Drug Crimes

Assault Crimes like Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault and Deadly Conduct

Weapons & Firearms Charges like UCW, UPF and CHL-related Crimes

Theft Crimes and crimes involving theft like Burglary, Robbery and Theft

Homicide Crimes, including Murder, Manslaughter and Criminally Negligent Homicide

Juvenile Crimes like Minor in Possession of Alcohol or Tobacco

Property Damage Crimes like Arson, Criminal Mischief and Reckless Damage

Texas criminal law is found primarily in the set of state laws called the Texas Penal Code. The penal code is divided into 11 Titles, grouping crimes into categories such as “Offenses against Property” and “Offenses against the Person.” We have many articles about these offenses with detailed information that may be helpful to your criminal case.

However, not all Texas criminal offenses are found in many other Texas codes, including the Texas Transportation Code (unsurprisingly, this contains most of the Texas traffic offenses), the Texas Health and Safety Code (containing drug offenses, among others), the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and the Texas Civil Code.

“PC” means the Texas Penal Code. “HSC” stands for the Texas Health and Safety Code. “ABC” stands for Alcoholic Beverage Code. “TTC” stands for Texas Transportation Code. “TEC” stands for Texas Election Code.

Hold down both the “Ctrl” and the “f” keys on your Windows computer (or “command” and “f” keys on your Mac computer) to search for an offense on this page. Or just scroll through the page until you find what you are looking for.

In addition to describing different crimes, Texas law codifies many other important criminal law topics, including criminal procedure, appeals and civil filings related to criminal cases. Some important examples are record-clearing laws (for expunctions, nondisclosures, record sealing and clemency), sex offender registration and deregistration, driver’s license laws, probation laws and extradition laws. If you’re looking for one of these other laws that are not listed here, you can start by visiting the Criminal Law Guide.

A list of all Texas Crimes is below

Texas Penal Code Offenses:

PC 15.01 – Criminal Attempt
PC 15.02 – Criminal Conspiracy
PC 15.03 – Criminal Solicitation
PC 15.031 – Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
PC 16.01 – Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument or Mechanical Security Device
PC 16.02 – Unlawful Interception, Use, or Disclosure of Wire, Oral, or Electronic Communications
PC 16.03 – Unlawful Use of Pen Register or Trap and Trace Device
PC 16.04 – Unlawful Access to Stored Communications
PC 16.05 – Illegal Divulgence of Public Communications
PC 16.06 – Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device
PC 19.02 – Murder
PC 19.03 – Capital Murder *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 19.04 – Manslaughter
PC 19.05 – Criminally Negligent Homicide
PC 20.02 – Unlawful Restraint
PC 20.03 – Kidnapping
PC 20.04 – Aggravated Kidnapping
PC 20.05 – Smuggling of Persons
PC 20.06 – Continuous Smuggling of Persons
PC 20.07 – Operation of Stash House *effective September 1, 2019
PC 20A.02 – Trafficking of Persons
PC 20A.03 – Continuous Trafficking of Persons
PC 21.02 – Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Children
PC 21.06 – Homosexual Conduct
PC 21.07 – Public Lewdness
PC 21.08 – Indecent Exposure
PC 21.08 – Bestiality *effective September 1, 2017
PC 21.11 – Indecency With a Child
PC 21.12 – Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student
PC 21.15 – Invasive Visual Recording
PC 21.16 – Voyeurism
PC 21.16 – Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 21.16 – Sexual Coercion *effective September 1, 2017
PC 21.19 – Unlawful Electronic Transmission of Sexually Explicit Visual Material *effective September 1, 2017
PC 22.01 – Assault *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 22.011 – Sexual Assault *limitations period amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 22.012 – Indecent Assault *effective September 1, 2019
PC 22.02 – Aggravated Assault
PC 22.021 – Aggravated Sexual Assault
PC 22.04 – Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual
PC 22.041 – Abandoning or Endangering Child
PC 22.05 – Deadly Conduct
PC 22.07 – Terroristic Threat
PC 22.08 – Aiding Suicide
PC 22.09 – Tampering With Consumer Product
PC 22.10 – Leaving a Child in a Vehicle
PC 22.11 – Harassment By Persons In Certain Correctional Facilities; Harassment of Public Servant
PC 25.01 – Bigamy
PC 25.02 – Prohibited Sexual Conduct (the law against incest)
PC 25.03 – Interference With Child Custody
PC 25.031 – Agreement to Abduct from Custody
PC 25.04 – Enticing a Child
PC 25.05 – Criminal Nonsupport
PC 25.06 – Harboring Runaway Child
PC 25.07 – Violation of Certain Court Orders or Conditions of Bond in a Family Violence, Sexual Assault or Abuse, Stalking, or Trafficking Case
PC 25.071 – Violation of Protective Order Preventing Offense Caused By Bias or Prejudice
PC 25.072 – Repeated Violation of Certain Court Orders or Conditions of Bond in Family Violence, Sexual Assault or Abuse, Stalking, or Trafficking Case
PC 25.08 – Sale or Purchase of Child
PC 25.08 – Unregulated Custody Transfer of Adopted Child *effective September 1, 2017
PC 25.09 – Advertising for Placement of Child
PC 25.10 – Interference with Rights of Guardian of the Persons
PC 25.11 – Continuous Violence Against the Family
PC 28.02 – Arson
PC 28.03 – Criminal Mischief
PC 28.04 – Reckless Damage or Destruction
PC 28.07 – Interference with Railroad Property
PC 28.08 – Graffiti
PC 29.02 – Robbery
PC 29.03 – Aggravated Robbery
PC 30.02 – Burglary
PC 30.03 – Burglary of Coin-Operated or Coin Collection Machines
PC 30.04 – Burglary of Vehicles
PC 30.05 – Criminal Trespass
PC 30.06 – Trespass by License Holder with a Concealed Handgun
PC 30.07 – Trespass by License Holder with an Openly Carried Handgun
PC 31.03 – Theft
PC 31.04 – Theft of Service *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 31.05 – Theft of Trade Secrets
PC 31.07 – Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle
PC 31.11 – Tampering with Identification Numbers
PC 31.12 – Theft of or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services
PC 31.13 – Manufacture, Distribution, or Advertisement of Multichannel Video or Information Services Device
PC 31.14 – Sale or Lease of Multichannel Video or Information Services Device
PC 31.15 – Possession, Manufacture, or Distribution of Certain Instruments Used to Commit Retail Theft
PC 31.16 – Organized Retail Theft
PC 31.17 – Unauthorized Acquisition or Transfer of Certain Financial Information
PC 31.18 – Cargo Theft
PC 31.20 – Mail Theft *effective September 1, 2019
PC 32.21 – Forgery
PC 32.22 – Criminal Simulation
PC 32.23 – Trademark Counterfeiting
PC 32.24 – Stealing or Receiving Stolen Check or Similar Sight Order
PC 32.31 – Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse
PC 32.315 – Fraudulent Use or Possession of Credit Card or Debit Card Information *effective September 1, 2019
PC 32.32 – False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit or in the Provision of Certain Services
PC 32.33 – Hindering Secured Creditors
PC 32.34 – Fraudulent Transfer of a Motor Vehicle
PC 32.35 – Credit Card Transaction Record Laundering
PC 32.41 – Issuance of Bad Check or Similar Sight Order
PC 32.42 – Deceptive Business Practices
PC 32.43 – Commercial Bribery
PC 32.44 – Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest
PC 32.441 – Illegal Recruitment of an Athlete
PC 32.45 – Misapplication of Fiduciary Property or Property of Financial Institution
PC 32.46 – Securing Execution of Document by Deception
PC 32.47 – Fraudulent Destruction, Removal, or Concealment of Writing
PC 32.48 – Simulating Legal Process
PC 32.49 – Refusal to Execute Release of Fraudulent Lien or Claim
PC 32.50 – Deceptive Preparation and Marketing of Academic Product
PC 32.51 – Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information
PC 32.52 – Fraudulent, Substandard, or Fictitious Degree
PC 32.53 – Exploitation of Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual
PC 32.54 – Fraudulent or Fictitious Military Record
PC 33.02 – Breach of Computer Security
PC 33.021 – Online Solicitation of a Minor
PC 33.022 – Electronic Access Interference *effective September 1, 2017
PC 33.023 – Electronic Data Tampering *effective September 1, 2017
PC 33.023 – Unlawful Decryption *effective September 1, 2017
PC 33.05 – Tampering with Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine
PC 33.07 – Online Impersonation
PC 33A.02 – Unauthorized Use of Telecommunications Service
PC 33A.03 – Manufacture, Possession, or Delivery of Unlawful Telecommunications Device
PC 33A.04 – Theft of Telecommunications Access Device
PC 33A.05 – Publication of Telecommunications Access Device
PC 34.02 – Money Laundering *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 35.02 – Insurance Fraud
PC 35A.02 – Medicaid Fraud *this will be renamed Health Care Fraud, effective September 1, 2019
PC 36.02 – Bribery
PC 36.03 – Coercion of Public Servant or Voter
PC 36.04 – Improper Influence
PC 36.05 – Tampering with Witness
PC 36.06 – Obstruction or Retaliation
PC 36.07 – Acceptance of Honorarium
PC 36.08 – Gift to Public Servant by Person Subject to His Jurisdiction
PC 36.09 – Offering Gift to Public Servant
PC 37.02 – Perjury
PC 37.03 – Aggravated Perjury
PC 37.08 – False Report to Peace Officer, Federal Special Investigator, or Law Enforcement Employee
PC 37.081 – False Report Regarding Missing Child or Missing Person
PC 37.082 – Misrepresenting a Child as a Family Member at a Port of Entry *effective September 1, 2019
PC 37.09 – Tampering With or Fabricating Physical Evidence
PC 37.10 – Tampering With Governmental Record
PC 37.101 – Fraudulent Filing of Financing Statement
PC 37.11 – Impersonating Public Servant
PC 37.12 – False Identification as Peace Officer; Misrepresentation of Property
PC 37.13 – Record of a Fraudulent Court
PC 37.14 – False Statement Regarding Child Custody Determination Made in Foreign Country
PC 38.02 – Failure to Identify
PC 38.03 – Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transportation
PC 38.04 – Evading Arrest or Detention
PC 38.05 – Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution
PC 38.06 – Escape
PC 38.07 – Permitting or Facilitating Escape
PC 38.09 – Implements for Escape
PC 38.10 – Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear
PC 38.11 – Prohibited Substances and Items in Correctional Facility
PC 38.111 – Improper Contact with Victim
PC 38.113 – Unauthorized Absence from Community Corrections Facility, County Correctional Center or Assignment Site
PC 38.114 – Contraband in Correctional Facility
PC 38.12 – Barratry and Solicitation of Professional Employment
PC 38.122 – Falsely Holding Oneself Out as a Lawyer
PC 38.123 – Unauthorized Practice of Law
PC 38.13 – Hindering Proceedings by Disorderly Conduct
PC 38.14 – Taking or Attempting to Take Weapon From Peace Officer, Federal Special Investigator, Employee or Official of Correctional Facility, Parole Officer, Community Supervision and Corrections Department Officer, or Commissioned Security Officer
PC 38.15 – Interference with Public Duties
PC 38.151 – Interference with Police Service Animals
PC 38.152 – Interference with Radio Frequency Licensed to Government Entity
PC 38.16 – Preventing Execution of Civil Process
PC 38.17 – Failure to Stop or Report Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child
PC 38.171 – Failure to Report Felony
PC 38.18 – Use of Accident Report Information and Other Information for Pecuniary Gain
PC 38.19 – Failure to Provide Notice and Report of Death of Resident of Institution
PC 39.02 – Abuse of Official Capacity
PC 39.03 – Official Oppression
PC 39.04 – Violations of the Civil Rights of Person in Custody; Improper Sexual Activity with Person in Custody
PC 39.05 – Failure to Report Death of Prisoner
PC 39.06 – Misuse of Official Information
PC 39.07 – Failure to Comply with Immigration Detainer Request *effective September 1, 2017
PC 40.01 – Disorderly Conduct
PC 40.02 – Riot
PC 42.03 – Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
PC 42.05 – Disrupting Meeting or Procession
PC 42.055 – Funeral Service Disruptions
PC 42.06 – False Alarm or Report
PC 42.061 – Silent or Abusive Calls to 9-1-1 Service
PC 42.062 – Interference with Emergency Request For Assistance
PC 42.07 – Harassment
PC 42.072 – Stalking
PC 42.075 – Disclosure of Confidential Information Regarding Family Violence or Victims of Trafficking Shelter Center *effective September 1, 2019
PC 42.08 – Abuse of Corpse
PC 42.09 – Cruelty to Livestock Animals
PC 42.091 – Attack on Assistance Animal
PC 42.092 – Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals
PC 42.10 – Dog Fighting
PC 42.105 – Cockfighting
PC 42.11 – Destruction of Flag
PC 42.12 – Discharge of Firearm in Certain Municipalities
PC 42.13 – Use of Laser Pointers
PC 42.14 – Illumination of Aircraft by Intense Light
PC 43.02 – Prostitution *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 43.03 – Promotion of Prostitution
PC 43.031 – Online Promotion of Prostitution *effective September 1, 2019
PC 43.041 – Aggravated Online Promotion of Prostitution *effective September 1, 2019
PC 43.04 – Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution
PC 43.05 – Compelling Prostitution
PC 43.22 – Obscene Display or Distribution
PC 43.23 – Obscenity
Pc 43.24 – Sale, Distribution, or Display of Harmful Material to Minor
PC 43.25 – Sexual Performance by a Child
PC 43.251 – Employment Harmful to Children
PC 43.26 – Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography
PC 43.261 – Electronic Transmission of Certain Visual Material Depicting Minor (the “sexting” offense applicable to minors)
PC 43.262 – Possession or Promotion of Lewd Visual Material Depicting Child *effective September 1, 2017
PC 46.02 – Unlawful Carrying Weapons *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 46.03 – Places Weapon Prohibited
PC 46.035 – Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder
PC 46.04 – Unlawful Possession of Firearm
PC 46.041 – Unlawful Possession of Metal or Body Armor by Felon
PC 46.05 – Prohibited Weapons *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 46.06 – Unlawful Transfer of Certain Weapons
PC 46.08 – Hoax Bombs
PC 46.09 – Components of Explosives
PC 46.10 – Deadly Weapon in Penal Institution
PC 46.13 – Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child
PC 46.14 – Firearm Smuggling
PC 47.02 – Gambling
PC 47.03 – Gambling Promotion
PC 47.04 – Keeping a Gambling Place
PC 47.05 – Communicating Gambling Information
PC 47.06 – Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia
PC 48.01 – Smoking Tobacco
PC 48.015 – Prohibitions Relating to Certain Cigarettes
PC 48.02 – Prohibition of the Purchase and Sale of Human Organs
PC 48.03 – Prohibition on Purchase and Sale of Adult Stem Cells for Certain Investigational Treatments *effective September 1, 2017
PC 49.02 – Public Intoxication
PC 49.031 – Possession of Alcoholic Beverage in Motor Vehicle
PC 49.04 – Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”)
PC 49.045 – Driving While Intoxicated With Child Passenger
PC 49.05 – Flying While Intoxicated
PC 49.06 – Boating While Intoxicated
PC 49.065 – Assembling or Operating an Amusement Park Ride While Intoxicated
PC 49.07 – Intoxication Assault
PC 49.08 – Intoxication Manslaughter
PC 71.02 – Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity *amendments effective September 1, 2019
PC 71.021 – Violation of Court Order Enjoining Organized Criminal Activity
PC 71.022 – Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang
PC 71.023 – Directing Activities of Criminal Street Gangs

Texas Health and Safety Code Offenses

HSC 481.112 – Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1
HSC 481.1121 – Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1-A
HSC 481.1122 – Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 1: Presence of Child
HSC 481.113 – Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 2 or 2-A
HSC 481.114 – Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group 3 or 4
HSC 481.115 – Possession of Penalty Group 1 Substances
HSC 481.1151 – Possession of Penalty Group 1-A Substances
HSC 481.116 – Possession of Penalty Group 2 Substances
HSC 481.1161 – Possession of Penalty Group 2-A Substances
HSC 481.117 – Possession of Penalty Group 3 Substances
HSC 481.118 – Possession of Penalty Group 4 Substances
HSC 481.119 – Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession of Miscellaneous Substances
HSC 481.120 – Delivery of Marihuana / Delivery of Marijuana *new definition of marijuana as of September 1, 2019
HSC 481.121 – Possession of Marihuana / Possession of Marijuana *new definition of marijuana as of September 1, 2019
HSC 481.122 – Delivery of Controlled Substance or Marihuana to Child *new definition of marijuana as of September 1, 2019
HSC 481.124 – Possession or Transport of Certain Chemicals with Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substance
HSC 481.1245 – Possession or Transport of Anhydrous Ammonia; Use Of Or Tampering With Equipment
HSC 481.125 – Possession or Delivery of Drug Paraphernalia

Texas Civil Code Offenses

Civil Code Article 581-29(C) – Securities Fraud

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Offenses:

ABC 106.041 – Driving or Operating Watercraft Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor (“DUI“)
ABC 106.05 – Possession of Alcohol by a Minor

Texas Transportation Code Offenses

TTC 521.457 – Driving While License Invalid (DWLI)
TTC 550.021 – Accident Involving Personal Injury or Death (Failure to Render Aid, resulting in Injury or Death)
TTC 550.022 – Accident Involving Damage to Vehicle (Failure to Render Aid, resulting in Damage to Vehicle)
TTC 550.024 – Duty on Striking Unattended Vehicle
TTC 550.025 – Duty on Striking Structure, Fixture or Highway Landscaping

Texas Election Code Offenses

TEC 162.014 – Unlawful Participation in Party Affairs *effective September 1, 2017
TEC 162.014 – Engaging in Organized Election Fraud Activity *effective September 1, 2017

Recent Case Results

2019 Not Guilty in Collin County DWI >0.15
2019 Not Guilty in Dallas County Indecency with a Child
Oral Argument at the United States Federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Prosecutorial Misconduct Claim arising out of Northern District of Texas
2018 Not Guilty in Martin County Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer
Not Guilty in 2018 Dallas County DWI Trial
Client cleared in Dallas Police Shooting wrongful accusation
Federal sentencing results in 10 Year Downward Deviation from Sentencing Guidelines in 2018
Not Guilty Jury Verdict for client originally accused of Intoxication Manslaughter
Case Dismissed after picking jury in Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child case in 2017
United States Attorney dismisses case against client charged in El Paso Federal Court with Possession of Child Pornography
ALL CHARGES DISMISSED against our client in the Twin Peaks Waco Biker case
Client “No-billed” by grand jury investigating shooting death case
Coverage of Case Involving Waco teacher sending messages to student
Judge returns a Directed Verdict of Acquittal in case involving trainer of professional athletes
Rare Not Guilty verdict in Rockwall County DWI
2016 Dismissal of Fort Worth Federal Possession of Obscene Visual Representation of the Sexual Abuse of Children
Hill County Money Laundering case Dismissed and civil asset forfeiture assets returned
Coverage of teen Lewisville client charged with hit-and-run death
Two Montague County Indecency with a Child cases Dismissed