Texas Penal Code 32.44 – Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest

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Texas Penal Code 32.44 – Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest

WHAT IS RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS?

The Texas law against rigging a publicly exhibited contest prohibits interfering or attempting to interfere with a game, sporting event, or other public contest or event in which there is an ultimate winner.

Examples of rigging a publicly exhibited contest include offering money to a boxer or fighter to lose a match or fight, hurting a horse or greyhound prior to a race, or threatening harm to a player in a game to influence how he or she plays.

Texas Penal Code 32.44 - Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest

WHAT IS THE RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST LAW IN TEXAS?

Tex. Penal Code § 32.44. RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to affect the outcome (including the score) of a publicly exhibited contest:

(1) he offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit on, or threatens harm to:

(A) a participant in the contest to induce him not to use his best efforts; or

(B) an official or other person associated with the contest; or

(2) he tampers with a person, animal, or thing in a manner contrary to the rules of the contest.

(b) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept any benefit the conferring of which is an offense under Subsection (a).

(c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY CLASS FOR RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS?

Rigging a publicly exhibited contest is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail.

WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT RANGE FOR RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS?

The punishment range for rigging a publicly exhibited contest, a Class A misdemeanor, is a maximum jail sentence of one year, and a fine of up to $4,000.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS?

A person charged with rigging a publicly exhibited contest may be eligible for probation after a conviction, or deferred adjudication without a conviction, for a period not to exceed two years.

WHAT ARE THE DEFENSES TO RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS?

The statute does not authorize specific defenses to rigging a publicly exhibited contest. A person accused thereof may assert any defense in an attempt to negate at least one of the elements the State must prove at trial.

WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS?

The limitation period for rigging a publicly exhibited contest is two years.

RIGGING PUBLICLY EXHIBITED CONTEST IN TEXAS

A person who rigs a publicly exhibited contest will likely be prosecuted under other Texas laws with higher penalties. However, offering a benefit or threatening harm to a sports participant, or otherwise attempting to influence the outcome of a publicly exhibited contest, may be charged, at the very least, as a Class A misdemeanor under this statute.

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Attorney Trey Porter

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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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