This is in contrast to the practices of other states that are much more pro-creditor. Many of the Americans who came to Texas during the initial Anglo settlement of the area came to start a new life and left behind their old life, including their debts. The nature of the founders of Texas has much to do with its liberal laws in favor of debtors. Considerable protection for debtors is contained in the Texas Constitution.
Considerable property is exempt from seizure to pay judgments, for example.
The majority of people in Texas are, in fact, judgment proof, meaning that all of the property they own is exempt from seizure to pay debts nor can wages be garnished form payment of most debts. Our criminal laws are drafted in a way that acknowledges and expands the pro-debtor bias of the constitution. For example, the definitions regarding theft explicitly state that deception for purposes of the theft statute does not include mere failure to perform on one's contracts. With the foregoing historical background, it is easy to understand that Texas does not criminalize the owing of a debt. If a bad check is given to pay a debt, the issuance of that check, while it may be a criminal offense, is not a theft.