Source: http://warrenabramsattorney.com/texas-penal-code/texas-penal-code-title-7-chapter-31.html
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Texas Penal Code - Theft
Texas Penal Code - Chapter 31 - Theft
§ 31.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Deception" means: (A) creating or confirming by words or conduct a false impression of law or fact that is likely to affect the judgment of another in the transaction, and that the actor does not believe to be true;
(A) induced by deception or coercion; (B) given by a person the actor knows is not legally authorized to act for the owner;
(D) given solely to detect the commission of an offense; or (E) given by a person who by reason of advanced age is known by the actor to have a diminished capacity to make informed and rational decisions about the reasonable disposition of property.
(4) "Appropriate" means: (A) to bring about a transfer or purported transfer of title to or other nonpossessory interest in property, whether to the actor or another; or
(5) "Property" means: (A) real property; (B) tangible or intangible personal property including anything severed from land; or
(6) "Service" includes: (A) labor and professional service; (B) telecommunication, public utility, or transportation service; (C) lodging, restaurant service, and entertainment; and (D) the supply of a motor vehicle or other property for use. (7) "Steal" means to acquire property or service by theft. (8) "Certificate of title" has the meaning assigned by Section 501.002, Transportation Code.
(10) "Elderly individual" has the meaning assigned by Section 22.04(c). Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 914, ch. 342, § 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 901, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.237, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 432, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
§ 31.02. CONSOLIDATION OF THEFT OFFENSES. Theft as defined in Section 31.03 constitutes a single offense superseding the separate offenses previously known as theft, theft by false pretext, conversion by a bailee, theft from the person, shoplifting, acquisition of property by threat, swindling, swindling by worthless check, embezzlement, extortion, receiving or concealing embezzled property, and receiving or concealing stolen property.
(b) Appropriation of property is unlawful if: (1) it is without the owner's effective consent; (2) the property is stolen and the actor appropriates the property knowing it was stolen by another; or
(A) fails to report to the Texas Department of Transportation the failure of the person who sold or delivered the motor vehicle to the actor to deliver to the actor a properly executed certificate of title to the motor vehicle at the time the motor vehicle was delivered; or
(B) fails to file with the county tax assessor-collector of the county in which the actor received the motor vehicle, not later than the 20th day after the date the actor received the motor vehicle, the registration license receipt and certificate of title or evidence of title delivered to the actor in accordance with Subchapter D, Chapter 520, Transportation Code, at the time the motor vehicle was delivered; (8) an actor who purchases or receives from any source other than a licensed retailer or distributor of pesticides a restricted-use pesticide or a state-limited-use pesticide or a compound, mixture, or preparation containing a restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticide is presumed to know on receipt by the actor of the pesticide or compound, mixture, or preparation that the pesticide or compound, mixture, or preparation has been previously stolen from another if the actor:
(e) Except as provided by Subsection (f), an offense under this section is: (1) a Class C misdemeanor if the value of the property stolen is less than:
(A) $50; or (B) $20 and the defendant obtained the property by issuing or passing a check or similar sight order in a manner described by Section 31.06;
(B) the value of the property stolen is less than: (i) $50 and the defendant has previously been convicted of any grade of theft; or
(C) the property stolen is a firearm, as defined by Section 46.01; (D) the value of the property stolen is less than $1,500 and the defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of any grade of theft; (E) the property stolen is an official ballot or official carrier envelope for an election; or
(F) the value of the property stolen is less than $20,000 and the property stolen is insulated or noninsulated wire or cable that consists of at least 50 percent:
(i) aluminum; (ii) bronze; or (iii) copper; (5) a felony of the third degree if the value of the property stolen is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000, or the property is:
(h) In this section: (1) "Restricted-use pesticide" means a pesticide classified as a restricted-use pesticide by the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under 7 U.S.C. Section 136a, as that law existed on January 1, 1995, and containing an active ingredient listed in the federal regulations adopted under that law (40 C.F.R. Section 152.175) and in effect on that date.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 914, ch. 342, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1975; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 937, ch. 349, § 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1977; Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 849, ch. 298, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2065, ch. 455, § 1, eff. June 11, 1981; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2918, ch. 497, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3244, ch. 558, § 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4523, ch. 741, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 599, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 901, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, § 5.01(a)(45), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 245, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 724, § 2, 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, § 284(80), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 565, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 203, § 4, 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, § 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 734, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 843, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.238, 31.01(69), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1153, § 7.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1276, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, § 2.136, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 257, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 393, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 432, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 304, § 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
(b) For purposes of this section, intent to avoid payment is presumed if: (1) the actor absconded without paying for the service or expressly refused to pay for the service in circumstances where payment is ordinarily made immediately upon rendering of the service, as in hotels, campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks, restaurants, and comparable establishments;
(e) An offense under this section is: (1) a Class C misdemeanor if the value of the service stolen is less than $20;
(a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Article" means any object, material, device, or substance or any copy thereof, including a writing, recording, drawing, sample, specimen, prototype, model, photograph, microorganism, blueprint, or map.
(1) steals a trade secret; (2) makes a copy of an article representing a trade secret; or (3) communicates or transmits a trade secret. (c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
§ 31.06. PRESUMPTION FOR THEFT BY CHECK.
(1) is sent by: (A) first class mail, evidenced by an affidavit of service; or (B) registered or certified mail with return receipt requested; (2) is addressed to the issuer at the issuer's address shown on: (A) the check or order; (B) the records of the bank or other drawee; or (C) the records of the person to whom the check or order has been issued or passed; and
(3) contains the following statement: "This is a demand for payment in full for a check or order not paid because of a lack of funds or insufficient funds. If you fail to make payment in full within 10 days after the date of receipt of this notice, the failure to pay creates a presumption for committing an offense, and this matter may be referred for criminal prosecution."
(f) If the actor obtained property by issuing or passing a check or similar sight order for the payment of money, the actor's intent to deprive the owner of the property under Section 31.03 (Theft) is presumed, except in the case of a postdated check or order, if:
(4) the actor failed to: (A) pay the holder within 10 days after receiving the demand for payment; or
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 543, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 753, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 976, § 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
§ 31.07. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE.
(b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony. Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
§ 31.08. VALUE.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 2920, ch. 497, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
§ 31.09. AGGREGATION OF AMOUNTS INVOLVED IN THEFT. When amounts are obtained in violation of this chapter pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, whether from the same or several sources, the conduct may be considered as one offense and the amounts aggregated in determining the grade of the offense.
§ 31.10. ACTOR'S INTEREST IN PROPERTY. It is no defense to prosecution under this chapter that the actor has an interest in the property or service stolen if another person has the right of exclusive possession of the property.
§ 31.11. TAMPERING WITH IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS.
(2) possesses, sells, or offers for sale tangible personal property and: (A) the actor knows that the serial number or other permanent identification marking has been removed, altered, or obliterated; or
(2) a peace officer acting in the actual discharge of official duties; or (3) acting with respect to a number assigned to a vehicle by the Texas Department of Transportation and the person was:
(d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. (e) In this section, "vehicle" has the meaning given by Section 541.201, Transportation Code.
Added by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 417, ch. 191, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4525, ch. 741, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 113, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.239, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
(b) In this section: (1) "Access device," "connection," and "device" mean an access device, connection, or device wholly or partly designed to make intelligible an encrypted, encoded, scrambled, or other nonstandard signal carried by a multichannel video or information services provider.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 858, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 31.13. MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, OR ADVERTISEMENT OF MULTICHANNEL VIDEO OR INFORMATION SERVICES DEVICE.
(b) In this section, "device," "encrypted, encoded, scrambled, or other nonstandard signal," and "multichannel video or information services provider" have the meanings assigned by Section 31.12.
(d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 858, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 31.14. SALE OR LEASE OF MULTICHANNEL VIDEO OR INFORMATION SERVICES DEVICE.
(d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 858, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. § 31.15. POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, OR DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS USED TO COMMIT RETAIL THEFT.
(1) possesses a shielding or deactivation instrument; or (2) knowingly manufactures, sells, offers for sale, or otherwise distributes a shielding or deactivation instrument.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 109, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. § 31.16. ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT.
(a) In this section, "retail merchandise" means one or more items of tangible personal property displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale in a retail establishment.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally conducts, promotes, or facilitates an activity in which the person receives, possesses, conceals, stores, barters, sells, or disposes of a total value of not less than $1,500 of:
(1) stolen retail merchandise; or (2) merchandise explicitly represented to the person as being stolen retail merchandise.
(c) An offense under this section is: (1) a state jail felony if the total value of the merchandise involved in the activity is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000;
(2) a felony of the third degree if the total value of the merchandise involved in the activity is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
(3) a felony of the second degree if the total value of the merchandise involved in the activity is $100,000 or more but less than $200,000; or
(4) a felony of the first degree if the total value of the merchandise involved in the activity is $200,000 or more.
(d) An offense described for purposes of punishment by Subsections (c)(1)-(3) is increased to the next higher category of offense if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person organized, supervised, financed, or managed one or more other persons engaged in an activity described by Subsection (b).
(e) For the purposes of punishment, an offense under this section or an offense described by Section 31.03(e)(1) or (2) is increased to the next highest category of offense if it is shown at the trial of the offense that the defendant, with the intent that a distraction from the commission of the offense be created, intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused an alarm to sound or otherwise become activated during the commission of the offense.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1274, § 1, eff. September 1, 2007.