State and Federal Law

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CHAPTER 38. OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATION Feb 09, 2026

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This section of the Texas Penal Code establishes various criminal violations related to the obstruction of government operations and the interference with public servants. It defines specific illegal acts such as evading arrest, escaping from custody, and tampering with electronic monitors or police service animals. The statutes also regulate the conduct of legal and medical professionals, strictly prohibiting barratry and the unauthorized practice of law for financial gain. Furthermore, the law mandates the reporting of specific crimes, including felonies involving serious injury and the neglect of residents in group homes. Throughout these provisions, the code details the classification of penalties, ranging from minor misdemeanors to high-level felonies based on the severity and outcome of the offense.

CHAPTER 37. PERJURY AND OTHER FALSIFICATION Feb 08, 2026

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This chapter of the Texas Penal Code establishes the legal framework for crimes involving dishonesty toward the government and the justice system. It primarily defines the various levels of perjury, differentiating between standard false statements and aggravated perjury, which occurs when a material lie is told during an official proceeding. The statutes also criminalize the tampering with or fabrication of physical evidence and governmental records, ranging from court documents to school transcripts. Additionally, the text outlines consequences for impersonating public officials, falsely reporting missing persons, or misrepresenting items as law enforcement property. By specifying these violations, the code seeks to protect the integrity of public administration and ensure the accuracy of information used in legal and official matters.

CHAPTER 36. BRIBERY AND CORRUPT INFLUENCE Feb 07, 2026

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Chapter 36 of the Texas Penal Code establishes legal frameworks for identifying and punishing bribery and the corrupt influence of government officials. The statutes prohibit providing or accepting pecuniary benefits intended to sway the official discretion of public servants, voters, or judicial officers. These laws also criminalize coercing state employees, tampering with witnesses, and engaging in retaliation against those performing governmental duties. While the code restricts the acceptance of honorariums and unauthorized gifts, it provides specific exceptions for legitimate political contributions and minor items of nominal value. Ultimately, these regulations serve to protect the integrity of administrative and judicial proceedings by ensuring that public actions remain free from illicit pressure.

CHAPTER 35A. HEALTH CARE FRAUD Feb 06, 2026

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This legal document outlines the regulatory framework for identifying and punishing health care fraud within state and federal programs. It establishes formal definitions for key participants, such as providers, fiscal agents, and managed care organizations, while clarifying what constitutes a fraudulent claim. The text details specific criminal acts, including making false statements, misusing funds, and providing substandard medical products for profit. Punishment levels are determined by the total financial value of the fraud or the volume of deceptive claims submitted. Furthermore, the statutes allow for aggregated penalties and provide the attorney general with the authority to prosecute these crimes alongside local officials. Finally, individuals serving as high-ranking managers face enhanced criminal consequences if they orchestrate these illegal activities.

CHAPTER 35. INSURANCE FRAUD Feb 05, 2026

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This section of the Texas Penal Code establishes the legal framework for identifying and punishing insurance fraud. It defines fraudulent activity as intentionally providing false or misleading material information to an insurer during the application process or when submitting a claim for payment. The severity of the criminal penalties is primarily dictated by the monetary value of the fraudulent claim, ranging from minor misdemeanors to high-level felonies. Additionally, the law outlines how claim values are calculated and permits the aggregation of multiple offenses into a single, more serious charge if they are part of a continuous scheme. Convicted individuals are legally required to pay restitution to the victimized insurance providers, covering costs such as legal fees. Finally, the statutes authorize the Attorney General to assist local prosecutors in investigating and litigating these financial crimes.

CHAPTER 34. MONEY LAUNDERING Feb 04, 2026

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The provided text outlines the legal framework for money laundering according to the Texas Penal Code. It defines criminal activity as any felony-level offense and provides an expansive list of what constitutes funds, ranging from physical cash to digital currencies and securities. Individuals commit a crime when they knowingly conceal, transfer, or invest money derived from illegal acts, even if they do not know the specific details of the underlying crime. The statute establishes a grading system for punishments based on the total monetary value involved, categorizing offenses from state jail felonies to first-degree felonies. Additionally, the law provides legal defenses for legitimate law enforcement actions and certain attorney-client transactions, while protecting financial institutions from civil liability when assisting authorities. Finally, it permits the Attorney General to support local prosecutors in managing these financial crime cases.

CHAPTER 33A. TELECOMMUNICATIONS CRIMES Feb 03, 2026

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This section of the Texas Penal Code establishes legal definitions and criminal penalties for various telecommunications-related crimes. The statutes prohibit the unauthorized use of services by industry insiders and criminalize the theft of services through deceptive means or fraudulent equipment. Specifically, it is illegal to manufacture, possess, or distribute counterfeit hardware or instructions intended to bypass security and payment systems. The law also addresses modern digital deception by banning the manipulation of caller identification data with the intent to harm or defraud others. Penalties range from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, often scaling based on the financial value of the stolen service or the defendant's prior criminal history. These regulations ensure that both service providers and consumers are protected from the misuse of communications technology and infrastructure.

CHAPTER 33. COMPUTER CRIMES Feb 02, 2026

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This excerpt from the Texas Penal Code establishes the legal framework for identifying and prosecuting computer-related crimes within the state. It begins by providing precise technical definitions for terms such as "access," "data," and "encryption" to ensure clarity in judicial proceedings. The document outlines specific prohibited activities, including unauthorized security breaches, the distribution of ransomware, and the online solicitation of minors. It further addresses specialized offenses like tampering with electronic voting machines and illegal online impersonation designed to harm others. Penalties are systematically categorized based on the financial damage caused, the sensitivity of the data compromised, and whether the targets involve critical infrastructure or government systems. Finally, the text identifies legal defenses and allows for the Attorney General to assist local prosecutors in complex digital investigations.

CHAPTER 32. FRAUD Feb 01, 2026

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This excerpt from the Texas Penal Code establishes the legal framework for identifying and punishing fraudulent activities and deceptive business practices. It provides precise definitions for forgery, credit card abuse, and identity theft, while also addressing specialized crimes like commercial bribery and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. The statutes outline various criminal classifications, ranging from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, primarily based on the monetary value of the stolen property or services. Furthermore, the text detail protections against modern threats such as counterfeit gift cards, digital phishing, and the use of artificially generated media to commit financial abuse. Specialized sections also target fraud related to real property, military records, academic products, and the malicious solicitation of disaster victims.

CHAPTER 31. THEFT Feb 01, 2026

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This excerpt from the Texas Penal Code establishes the comprehensive legal framework for theft-related offenses within the state. It provides precise definitions for essential terms like deception, appropriation, and effective consent, while unifying various historical crimes into a single consolidated theft statute. The text details specific violations involving personal property, services, trade secrets, and real estate, including specialized categories such as cargo, mail, and catalytic converters. Furthermore, it outlines a grading system for punishments that scales based on the economic value of the stolen items or the involvement of vulnerable victims and critical infrastructure. Finally, the statutes dictate legal presumptions of criminal intent, such as those involving insufficient funds for checks or the failure to return rented equipment.

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