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.

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

Published by Criminal Defense Attorney Paul Saputo on November 20, 2016 and last modified April 6, 2020