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Texas statute

Tex. Penal Code § 20.01 — Definitions

Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

Part of Chapter 20: KIDNAPPING, UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT, AND, Texas Penal Code.

Full text of Tex. Penal Code § 20.01

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.

Tex. Penal Code § 20.01Primary source, current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
In this chapter: (1) "Restrain" means to restrict a person's movements without consent, so as to interfere substantially with the person's liberty, by moving the person from one place to another or by confining the person. Restraint is "without consent" if it is accomplished by: (A) force, intimidation, or deception; or (B) any means, including acquiescence of the victim, if: (i) the victim is a child who is less than 14 years of age or an incompetent person and the parent, guardian, or person or institution acting in loco parentis has not acquiesced in the movement or confinement; or (ii) the victim is a child who is 14 years of age or older and younger than 17 years of age, the victim is taken outside of the state and outside a 120-mile radius from the victim's residence, and the parent, guardian, or person or institution acting in loco parentis has not acquiesced in the movement. (2) "Abduct" means to restrain a person with intent to prevent his liberation by: (A) secreting or holding him in a place where he is not likely to be found; or (B) using or threatening to use deadly force. (3) "Relative" means a parent or stepparent, ancestor, sibling, or uncle or aunt, including an adoptive relative of the same degree through marriage or adoption. (4) "Person" means an individual or a corporation, association, limited liability company, or other entity or organization governed by the Business Organizations Code. (5) Notwithstanding Section 1.07 , "individual" means a human being who has been born and is alive. (6) "Agricultural land" has the meaning assigned by Section 75.001 , Civil Practice and Remedies Code. (7) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01 . (8) "Special investigator" includes an agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Official sources

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.