Tampering With Consumer Product
Chapter 22 of the Texas Penal Code places restrictions and guidelines on the use of force by an individual acting outside of official State capacity.
“Tampering with Consumer Product”, as per § 22.09 of the Texas Penal Code, occurs when a person alters or adds a foreign substance to a consumer product to make it probable that the consumer product will cause serious bodily injury.
If a person knowingly or intentionally tampers with a consumer product knowing that the consumer product will be offered for sale to the public or as a gift to another, it either a first or second degree felony. If no harm is done, it is a second degree felony, but if a person suffers bodily injury, it is a first degree felony.
If a person knowingly or intentionally threatens to tamper with a consumer product with the intent to cause fear, to affect the sale of the consumer product, or to cause bodily injury to any person, it is a third degree felony.
Punishment Range
Third Degree Felony
- Imprisonment in the institutional division for not more than 10 years or less than two years
- In addition to imprisonment, may receive a fine not to exceed $10,000
Second Degree Felony
- Imprisonment in the institutional division for not more than 20 years or less than two years
- In addition to imprisonment, may receive a fine not to exceed $10,000
First Degree Felony
- Imprisonment in the institutional division for life, or
- Imprisonment in the institutional division for not more than 99 years or less than five years with the exception of aggravated sexual assault, which adds a 25-year minimum punishment if the victim is younger than 6, or younger than 14 and the offense contained threats of serious bodily injury or death, or use of a deadly weapon
- In addition to imprisonment, may receive a fine not to exceed $10,000