Under the new law, convicted mail thieves could be sentenced to between 180 days in jail and 10 years in prison, depending on how many people they have targeted. In short, a theft takes place under Texas law whenever a person takes something that does not belong to him or her without the permission of the owner or without legal justification. Punishment also increases if offenders are found to have targeted vulnerable people. How Far Does the First Amendment Go to Protect Violent Speech? Section 22.04 ... 2019 - Here are the 40 new criminal law legislative changes you need to be aware of from the 86th legislative session in Texas. The Texas Penal Code is the principal criminal code of the State of Texas. Mail Theft on Westlaw, industry-leading online legal research system. Mail theft is a felony under federal law, but it had only been punishable as a misdemeanor with a ticket under state law. ... other Texas cities rank in top 10 for porch pirates. If an alleged porch pirate steals from 20 to 50 people, he/she can be charged with a second-degree felony, punishable by a maximum 20-year prison term and a fine no more than $10,000. (f) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. FindLaw Codes are provided courtesy of Thomson Reuters Westlaw, the industry-leading online legal research system. (2) “Identifying information” has the meaning assigned by Two Texas state lawmakers have proposed bills that would make package theft, also known as "porch piracy," a jail felony in the state, a report said. Governor Greg Abbott signed the new bill, which is set to take effect September 1. 3 Texas Penal Code §31.20(c)(2), as passed by HB 37 in the 2019 Texas Legislative Session. Felony Charges & Penalties for Package Theft in Texas. This law is also aimed at professional thieves who commit fraud or identity theft after stealing mail. A new Texas law set to go into effect Sept. 1 will make it a felony to steal anything considered mail, including letters, postcards, packages and other sealed items. THEFT. . Mail theft under Texas law. Porch Pirate Law in Texas Nov 16. In 2018 the section headings to the constitution, which are not officially part of the text of the constitution, were revised to reflect amendments and to modernize the language. "They're looking at time, so it's definitely a deterrent,". ... according to the Texas Penal Code. Bill Text (2019-06-10) Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of mail theft. . (1) “Disabled individual” and “elderly individual” have the meanings assigned by, (2) “Identifying information” has the meaning assigned by, (d) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the appropriated mail contained an item of identifying information and the actor committed the offense with the intent to facilitate an offense under, Read this complete Texas Penal Code § 31.20. Specifically, HB 37 will make it a: 1 st degree felony to steal from more than 50 homes. Tuesday, June 18, 2019 A warning to those who have made a career out of stealing packages off porches: you could go to prison. A new Texas law set to go into effect Sept. 1 will make it a felony to steal anything considered mail, including letters, postcards, packages and other sealed items. Porch Pirates A warning to those who have made a career out of stealing packages off porches: you could go to prison. (3) a felony of the third degree if the mail is appropriated from 30 or more addressees. Texas state Rep. Ina Minjarez, a co-author of the bill, told CNN affiliate KSAT, tweeted that she's been working on the issue. [Effective on 9/1/19] The Code was originally enacted in 1856 and underwent substantial revision in 1973, with the passage of the Revised Penal Code, in large part based on the American Law Institutes Model Penal Code. For more detailed codes research information, including annotations and citations, please visit Westlaw. HB 446 amends Penal Code 46.02(a) ... Porch pirates beware! A new Texas law will increase the penalties for stealing packages and other mail. Read the code on FindLaw , . PENAL CODE. Package theft can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on what unknown treasure lay inside the brown box. (4) a felony of the first degree if the mail is appropriated from 50 or more addressees. ... other Texas cities rank in top 10 for porch pirates. Most of the new laws took effect on September 1, 2019. (1) “Disabled individual” and “elderly individual” have the meanings assigned by Millions of Americans now do their shopping predominantly online, especially during the holidays and now a pandemic. Partly due to the rise of online shopping, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 37 to prevent “ porch pirates ” from stealing mail left out in the open. CHAPTER 31. The legislation, authored by … Section 32.51 (c) Except as provided by Subsections (d) and (e), an offense under this section is: (1) a Class A misdemeanor if the mail is appropriated from fewer than 10 addressees; (2) a state jail felony if the mail is appropriated from at least 10 but fewer than 30 addressees;  or. Instead, section 31.03 covers many forms of property theft. , an offense under this section is: (1) a state jail felony if the mail is appropriated from fewer than 10 addressees; (2) a felony of the third degree if the mail is appropriated from at least 10 but fewer than 20 addressees; (3) a felony of the second degree if the mail is appropriated from at least 20 but fewer than 50 addressees;  or. Porch pirates be warned: Proposed Texas law would stiffen penalties for package thefts. 4 Texas Penal Code §31.20(c)(3), as passed by HB 37 in the 2019 Texas Legislative Session 2 nd degree felony to steal from 20 to 50 homes. Updated 1619 GMT (0019 HKT) June 20, 2019. DEFINITIONS. Mail theft wasn't defined in the state's penal code before the bill, so crimes were often charged as property or identity theft. Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 31.20 to read as follows: ... the other law, or both. (e) An offense described for purposes of punishment by Subsection (d)(1), (2), or (3) is increased to the next higher category of offense if it is shown on the trial of the offense that at the time of the offense the actor knew or had reason to believe that an addressee from whom the actor appropriated mail was a disabled individual or an elderly individual. The Texas Constitution is current through the amendments approved by voters in November 2019. SECTION 2. Porch Pirates Now Face Felony Charges in Texas Beginning September 1, 2019, anyone convicted for stealing mail in Texas could face felony charges. FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Microsoft Edge. Further, some law enforcement agencies have begun using dummy packages to bait thieves into getting caught. Act: means a bodily movement, whether voluntary or involuntary, and includes speech.See Texas Penal Code 1.07; Actor: means a person whose criminal responsibility is in issue in a criminal action.See Texas Penal Code 1.07; Agency: includes authority, board, bureau, commission, committee, council, department, district, … Thieves dubbed “porch pirates” have become increasingly common in the Age of Amazon, lurking in neighborhoods to steal recently delivered packages off front porches. All rights reserved. TITLE 7. Greg Abbott signed legislation last week that will increase punishment for stealing mail, which is defined as "a letter, postal card, package, bag, or other sealed article" addressed to an individual that has been dropped off by a common carrier or delivery service, or has been left by a customer for pickup. 1 Texas Penal Code §31.20. (CNN)Texas is cracking down on so-called porch pirates, who steal packages and other mail from people's doorsteps and mailboxes. 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