Texas statute
Tex. Penal Code § 9.42 — Deadly force to protect property
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 9: JUSTIFICATION EXCLUDING CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY, Texas Penal Code.
Full text of Tex. Penal Code § 9.42
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 person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect land or tangible, movable property: (1) if he would be justified in using force against the other under Section 9.41 ; and (2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the deadly force is immediately necessary: (A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or (B) to prevent the other who is fleeing immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the property; and (3) he reasonably believes that: (A) the land or property cannot be protected or recovered by any other means; or (B) the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.
Official sources
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.