2022 Texas Statutes
Penal Code
Title 7 - Offenses Against Property
Chapter 33A - Telecommunications Crimes
Section 33A.02. Unauthorized Use of Telecommunications Service
Sec. 33A.02. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person is an officer, shareholder, partner, employee, agent, or independent contractor of a telecommunications service provider and the person knowingly and without authority uses or diverts telecommunications service for the person's own benefit or to the benefit of another.
(b) An offense under this section is:
(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is less than $500;
(2) a Class A misdemeanor if:
(A) the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is $500 or more but less than $1,500; or
(B) the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is less than $500 and the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this chapter;
(3) a state jail felony if:
(A) the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is $1,500 or more but less than $20,000; or
(B) the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is less than $1,500 and the defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of an offense under this chapter;
(4) a felony of the third degree if the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
(5) a felony of the second degree if the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is $100,000 or more but less than $200,000; or
(6) a felony of the first degree if the value of the telecommunications service used or diverted is $200,000 or more.
(c) When telecommunications service is used or diverted in violation of this section pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, whether or not in a single incident, the conduct may be considered as one offense and the values of the service used or diverted may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
