The Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang crime in the state of Texas gives police the right to arrest you if they believe you knowingly caused, solicited, or encouraged another person to join a gang. Learn more detailed information about the Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang offense below.

Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang is classified in the Texas Penal Code under Title 11 “Organized Crime”, Chapter 71 “Organized Crime.

What is the current Texas law about Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang?

The current Texas law defines the offense of Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang in Penal Code Section §71.022 as follows:^[1]

(a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly causes, enables, encourages, recruits, or solicits another person to become a member of a criminal street gang which, as a condition of initiation, admission, membership, or continued membership, requires the commission of any conduct which constitutes an offense punishable as a Class A misdemeanor or a felony.

(a-1) A person commits an offense if, with intent to coerce, induce, or solicit a child to actively participate in the activities of a criminal street gang, the person:

(1) threatens the child or a member of the child’s family with imminent bodily injury; or

(2) causes bodily injury to the child or a member of the child’s family.

How can I be charged with Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang?

You can be charged with Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang if the state’s attorneys believe that each of the elements of 71.022(a) or 71.022(a-1), as described in the section above, have been met.

What is the punishment for Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang?

A conviction for Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang is punished by default as a Felony of the Third Degree,^[2] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $10,000 and prison time of up to 10 years.

However, if you are convicted of this crime more than once, then a conviction for Coercing, Inducing, or Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang is punished as a Felony of the Second Degree,^[3] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $10,000 and prison time of up to 20 years. Learn about the differences between grades of felonies and misdemeanors

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Legal References:

^1. Texas Penal Code §71.022^2. Texas Penal Code §71.022(b)^3. Texas Penal Code §71.022(c)