Texas Penal Code 37.13 – Record of a Fraudulent Court

Attorney Trey Porter
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Texas Penal Code 37.13 – Record of a Fraudulent Court

WHAT IS RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT IN TEXAS?

The Texas law against record of a fraudulent court prohibits making, presenting, or using anything purporting to be a court record with intent that it be given legal effect.

Texas Penal Code 37.13 - Record of a Fraudulent Court

WHAT IS THE RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT LAW IN TEXAS?

Tex. Penal Code § 37.13. RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person makes, presents, or uses any document or other record with:

(1) knowledge that the document or other record is not a record of a court created under or established by the constitution or laws of this state or of the United States; and

(2) the intent that the document or other record be given the same legal effect as a record of a court created under or established by the constitution or laws of this state or of the United States.

(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has previously been convicted under this section on two or more occasions.

(c) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under Section 32.48 or 37.10, the actor may be prosecuted under any of those sections.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY CLASS FOR RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT IN TEXAS?

The first and second time a person commits record of a fraudulent court, it is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail. If a person charged with record of a fraudulent court has been convicted two or more times of the same offense, it is a third degree felony, punishable by two to ten years in prison.

WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT RANGE FOR RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT IN TEXAS?

Record of a fraudulent court charged as a Class A misdemeanor carries up to one year in jail, and a maximum fine of $4,000. A person charged with a third degree felony faces between two and ten years in prison, and a maximum $10,000 fine.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR FALSE IDENTIFICATION AS PEACE OFFICER; MISREPRESENTATION OF PROPERTY IN TEXAS?

A person charged with record of a fraudulent court may be eligible for probation after a conviction, or deferred adjudication without a conviction. The maximum period of either type of community supervision for a Class A misdemeanor is two years. For a third degree felony, the period of community supervision term may not exceed ten years.

WHAT ARE THE DEFENSES TO RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT IN TEXAS?

The statute does not authorize specific defenses to record of a fraudulent court. A person accused thereof may attempt to negate at least one of the elements the State must prove at trial.

WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT IN TEXAS?

The limitation period for record of a fraudulent court charged as a Class A misdemeanor is two years. For a third degree felony record of a fraudulent court charge, the limitation period is three years.

RECORD OF A FRAUDULENT COURT IN TEXAS

A person may be punished under multiple laws, including tampering with a governmental record, and simulating legal process, for making or presenting a fraudulent court document intending that it be given legal effect. Court records include judgments, decrees, orders, subpoenas, and other official documents.

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Attorney Trey Porter

Trey Porter

Trey Porter is one of the highest-rated criminal defense attorneys in Texas. Nationally recognized, Mr. Porter relentlessly fights to protect and assert his clients’ constitutional rights in and out of courtrooms across the state.

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