2023 Texas Statutes › Penal Code › Title 2 - General Principles of Criminal Responsibility › Chapter 8 - General Defenses to Criminal Responsibility › Section 8.07. Age Affecting Criminal Responsibility

Sec. 8.07.  AGE AFFECTING CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY.  (a)  A person may not be prosecuted for or convicted of any offense that the person committed when younger than 15 years of age except:
(1)  perjury and aggravated perjury when it appears by proof that the person had sufficient discretion to understand the nature and obligation of an oath;
(2)  a violation of a penal statute cognizable under Chapter 729, Transportation Code, except for conduct for which the person convicted may be sentenced to imprisonment or confinement in jail;
(3)  a violation of a motor vehicle traffic ordinance of an incorporated city or town in this state;
(4)  a misdemeanor punishable by fine only;
(5)  a violation of a penal ordinance of a political subdivision;
(6)  a violation of a penal statute that is, or is a lesser included offense of, a capital felony, an aggravated controlled substance felony, or a felony of the first degree for which the person is transferred to the court under Section 54.02, Family Code, for prosecution if the person committed the offense when 14 years of age or older; or
(7)  a capital felony or an offense under Section 19.02 for which the person is transferred to the court under Section 54.02(j)(2)(A), Family Code.
(b)  Unless the juvenile court waives jurisdiction under Section 54.02, Family Code, and certifies the individual for criminal prosecution or the juvenile court has previously waived jurisdiction under that section and certified the individual for criminal prosecution, a person may not be prosecuted for or convicted of any offense committed before reaching 17 years of age except an offense described by Subsections (a)(1)-(5).
(c)  No person may, in any case, be punished by death for an offense committed while the person was younger than 18 years.
(d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a person may not be prosecuted for or convicted of an offense described by Subsection (a)(4) or (5) that the person committed when younger than 10 years of age.
(e)  A person who is at least 10 years of age but younger than 15 years of age is presumed incapable of committing an offense described by Subsection (a)(4) or (5). This presumption may be refuted if the prosecution proves to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor had sufficient capacity to understand that the conduct engaged in was wrong at the time the conduct was engaged in. The prosecution is not required to prove that the actor at the time of engaging in the conduct knew that the act was a criminal offense or knew the legal consequences of the offense.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974.  Amended by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 2158, ch. 693, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1975;  Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1040, Sec. 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;  Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1245, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989;  Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 169, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 262, Sec. 77, eff. Jan. 1, 1996;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.236, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 822, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1086, Sec. 42, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1297, Sec. 68, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 52, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 787 (S.B. 60), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 45, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 311 (H.B. 558), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1407 (S.B. 393), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 425 (H.B. 1819), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2023.