Texas statute
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49A.060 — Limitations on moving body and physical surroundings; offense
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 49A: DEATH INQUESTS, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Amendment pending: a new version of this section takes effect Thu Apr 01 2027 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time).
Full text of Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49A.060
Statutory text current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Texas.
(a) A justice of the peace may direct the removal of a body from the place of death or move any part of the physical surroundings of a body only after: (1) a law enforcement agency is notified of the death and a peace officer has conducted an investigation into the death; or (2) if a law enforcement agency has not begun an investigation into the death, a reasonable period has elapsed from the time the law enforcement agency was notified. (b) A law enforcement agency that is notified of a death requiring an inquest under Article 49A.053 shall begin its investigation into the death as soon as practicable after the law enforcement agency receives notice of the death. (c) Except in emergency circumstances, a peace officer or other person conducting a death investigation for a law enforcement agency may not move the body or any part of the physical surroundings of the place of death without authorization from a justice of the peace. (d) A person not authorized by law to move the body of a deceased person or any part of the physical surroundings of the body commits an offense if the person tampers with: (1) a body that is subject to an inquest under Article 49A.053 ; or (2) any part of the physical surroundings of the body described by Subdivision (1). (e) An offense under Subsection (d) is punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $500.
Official sources
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