Texas statute
Tex. Penal Code § 12.47 — Penalty if offense committed because of bias or prejudice
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 12: PUNISHMENTS, Texas Penal Code.
Full text of Tex. Penal Code § 12.47
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) If an affirmative finding under Article 42.014 , Code of Criminal Procedure, is made in the trial of an offense other than a first degree felony or a Class A misdemeanor, the punishment for the offense is increased to the punishment prescribed for the next highest category of offense. If the offense is a Class A misdemeanor, the minimum term of confinement for the offense is increased to 180 days. This section does not apply to the trial of an offense of injury to a disabled individual under Section 22.04 , if the affirmative finding in the case under Article 42.014 , Code of Criminal Procedure, shows that the defendant intentionally selected the victim because the victim was disabled. (b) The attorney general, if requested to do so by a prosecuting attorney, may assist the prosecuting attorney in the investigation or prosecution of an offense committed because of bias or prejudice. The attorney general shall designate one individual in the division of the attorney general's office that assists in the prosecution of criminal cases to coordinate responses to requests made under this subsection.
Official sources
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