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PENAL CODE
CHAPTER 33A. TELECOMMUNICATIONS CRIMES
Sec. 33A.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Counterfeit telecommunications access device" means a telecommunications access
device that is false, fraudulent, not issued to a legitimate telecommunications access
device subscriber account, or otherwise unlawful or invalid.
(2) "Counterfeit telecommunications device" means a telecommunications device that has
been altered or programmed alone or with another telecommunications device to acquire,
intercept, receive, or otherwise facilitate the use of a telecommunications service without the
authority or consent of the telecommunications service provider and includes a clone
telephone, clone microchip, tumbler telephone, tumbler microchip, or wireless scanning
device capable of acquiring, intercepting, receiving, or otherwise facilitating the use of a
telecommunications service without immediate detection.
(3) "Deliver" means to actually or constructively sell, give, loan, or otherwise transfer a
telecommunications device, or a counterfeit telecommunications device or any
telecommunications plans, instructions, or materials, to another person.
(4) "Publish" means to communicate information or make information available to another
person orally, in writing, or by means of telecommunications and includes communicating
information on a computer bulletin board or similar system.
(5) "Telecommunications" means the origination, emission, transmission, or reception of
data, images, signals, sounds, or other intelligence or equivalence of intelligence over a
communications system by any method, including an electronic, magnetic, optical, digital,
or analog method.
(6) "Telecommunications access device" means an instrument, device, card, plate, code,
account number, personal identification number, electronic serial number, mobile
identification number, counterfeit number, or financial transaction device that alone or with
another telecommunications access device can acquire, intercept, provide, receive, use, or
otherwise facilitate the use of a telecommunications device, counterfeit telecommunications
device, or telecommunications service.
(7) "Telecommunications device" means any instrument, equipment, machine, or device
that facilitates telecommunications and includes a computer, computer chip or circuit,
telephone, pager, personal communications device, transponder, receiver, radio, modem,
or device that enables use of a modem.
(8) "Telecommunications service" means the provision, facilitation, or generation of
telecommunications through the use of a telecommunications device or telecommunications
access device over a telecommunications system.
(9) "Value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained"
includes the value of:
(A) a lawful charge for telecommunications service avoided or attempted to be avoided;
(B) money, property, or telecommunications service lost, stolen, or rendered unrecoverable
by an offense; and
(C) an expenditure incurred by a victim to verify that a telecommunications device or
telecommunications access device or telecommunications service was not altered, acquired,
damaged, or disrupted as a result of an offense.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
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.
Sec. 33A.03. MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION, OR DELIVERY OF UNLAWFUL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person
manufactures, possesses, delivers, offers to deliver, or advertises:
(1) a counterfeit telecommunications device; or
(2) a telecommunications device that is intended to be used to:
(A) commit an offense under Section 33A.04; or
(B) conceal the existence or place of origin or destination of a telecommunications service.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person delivers, offers to deliver, or advertises
plans, instructions, or materials for manufacture of:
(1) a counterfeit telecommunications device; or
(2) a telecommunications device that is intended to be used to commit an offense under
Subsection (a).
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was an officer, agent,
or employee of a telecommunications service provider who engaged in the conduct for the
purpose of gathering information for a law enforcement investigation related to an offense
under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 33A.04. THEFT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE. (a) A person commits an offense
if the person knowingly obtains or attempts to obtain telecommunications service to avoid
or cause another person to avoid a lawful charge for that service by using:
(1) a telecommunications access device without the authority or consent of the subscriber
or lawful holder of the device or pursuant to an agreement for an exchange of value with
the subscriber or lawful holder of the device to allow another person to use the device;
(2) a counterfeit telecommunications access device;
(3) a telecommunications device or counterfeit telecommunications device; or
(4) a fraudulent or deceptive scheme, pretense, method, or conspiracy, or other device or
means, including a false, altered, or stolen identification.
(b) An offense under this section is:
(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the telecommunications service obtained or
attempted to be obtained is less than $500;
(2) a Class A misdemeanor if:
(A) the value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained is
$500 or more but less than $1,500; or
(B) the value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or attempted to be obtained is
$1,500 or more but less than $20,000; or
(B) the value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or
attempted to be obtained is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
(5) a felony of the second degree if the value of the telecommunications service obtained
or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or
attempted to be obtained is $200,000 or more.
(c) When telecommunications service is obtained or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or attempted to be obtained may be aggregated in determining the grade
of the offense.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 33A.05. PUBLICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS DEVICE. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence publishes a telecommunications
access device or counterfeit telecommunications access device that is designed to be used
to commit an offense under Section 33A.04.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, an offense under this section is a
Class A misdemeanor. An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the
person has been previously convicted of an offense under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 33A.06. ASSISTANCE BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. 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 under this chapter or of any other offense involving the use of
telecommunications equipment, services, or devices.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
CHAPTER 33A. TELECOMMUNICATIONS CRIMES
Sec. 33A.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Counterfeit telecommunications access device" means a telecommunications access
device that is false, fraudulent, not issued to a legitimate telecommunications access
device subscriber account, or otherwise unlawful or invalid.
(2) "Counterfeit telecommunications device" means a telecommunications device that has
been altered or programmed alone or with another telecommunications device to acquire,
intercept, receive, or otherwise facilitate the use of a telecommunications service without the
authority or consent of the telecommunications service provider and includes a clone
telephone, clone microchip, tumbler telephone, tumbler microchip, or wireless scanning
device capable of acquiring, intercepting, receiving, or otherwise facilitating the use of a
telecommunications service without immediate detection.
(3) "Deliver" means to actually or constructively sell, give, loan, or otherwise transfer a
telecommunications device, or a counterfeit telecommunications device or any
telecommunications plans, instructions, or materials, to another person.
(4) "Publish" means to communicate information or make information available to another
person orally, in writing, or by means of telecommunications and includes communicating
information on a computer bulletin board or similar system.
(5) "Telecommunications" means the origination, emission, transmission, or reception of
data, images, signals, sounds, or other intelligence or equivalence of intelligence over a
communications system by any method, including an electronic, magnetic, optical, digital,
or analog method.
(6) "Telecommunications access device" means an instrument, device, card, plate, code,
account number, personal identification number, electronic serial number, mobile
identification number, counterfeit number, or financial transaction device that alone or with
another telecommunications access device can acquire, intercept, provide, receive, use, or
otherwise facilitate the use of a telecommunications device, counterfeit telecommunications
device, or telecommunications service.
(7) "Telecommunications device" means any instrument, equipment, machine, or device
that facilitates telecommunications and includes a computer, computer chip or circuit,
telephone, pager, personal communications device, transponder, receiver, radio, modem,
or device that enables use of a modem.
(8) "Telecommunications service" means the provision, facilitation, or generation of
telecommunications through the use of a telecommunications device or telecommunications
access device over a telecommunications system.
(9) "Value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained"
includes the value of:
(A) a lawful charge for telecommunications service avoided or attempted to be avoided;
(B) money, property, or telecommunications service lost, stolen, or rendered unrecoverable
by an offense; and
(C) an expenditure incurred by a victim to verify that a telecommunications device or
telecommunications access device or telecommunications service was not altered, acquired,
damaged, or disrupted as a result of an offense.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
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.
Sec. 33A.03. MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION, OR DELIVERY OF UNLAWFUL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person
manufactures, possesses, delivers, offers to deliver, or advertises:
(1) a counterfeit telecommunications device; or
(2) a telecommunications device that is intended to be used to:
(A) commit an offense under Section 33A.04; or
(B) conceal the existence or place of origin or destination of a telecommunications service.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person delivers, offers to deliver, or advertises
plans, instructions, or materials for manufacture of:
(1) a counterfeit telecommunications device; or
(2) a telecommunications device that is intended to be used to commit an offense under
Subsection (a).
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person was an officer, agent,
or employee of a telecommunications service provider who engaged in the conduct for the
purpose of gathering information for a law enforcement investigation related to an offense
under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 33A.04. THEFT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE. (a) A person commits an offense
if the person knowingly obtains or attempts to obtain telecommunications service to avoid
or cause another person to avoid a lawful charge for that service by using:
(1) a telecommunications access device without the authority or consent of the subscriber
or lawful holder of the device or pursuant to an agreement for an exchange of value with
the subscriber or lawful holder of the device to allow another person to use the device;
(2) a counterfeit telecommunications access device;
(3) a telecommunications device or counterfeit telecommunications device; or
(4) a fraudulent or deceptive scheme, pretense, method, or conspiracy, or other device or
means, including a false, altered, or stolen identification.
(b) An offense under this section is:
(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the telecommunications service obtained or
attempted to be obtained is less than $500;
(2) a Class A misdemeanor if:
(A) the value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained is
$500 or more but less than $1,500; or
(B) the value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or attempted to be obtained is
$1,500 or more but less than $20,000; or
(B) the value of the telecommunications service obtained or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or
attempted to be obtained is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;
(5) a felony of the second degree if the value of the telecommunications service obtained
or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or
attempted to be obtained is $200,000 or more.
(c) When telecommunications service is obtained or attempted to be obtained 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 obtained or attempted to be obtained may be aggregated in determining the grade
of the offense.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 33A.05. PUBLICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS DEVICE. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence publishes a telecommunications
access device or counterfeit telecommunications access device that is designed to be used
to commit an offense under Section 33A.04.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, an offense under this section is a
Class A misdemeanor. An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the
person has been previously convicted of an offense under this chapter.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 33A.06. ASSISTANCE BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. 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 under this chapter or of any other offense involving the use of
telecommunications equipment, services, or devices.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 306, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.