Tex. Penal Code Section 6.02
Requirement of Culpability


Mentioned in

Mistakes with the Mistake Defense in Texas Criminal Law

St. Mary's Law Journal, January 23, 2023

“When the Texas legislature enacted a comprehensive penal code in 1974, it provided specifically for the defenses of mistake of fact and mistake of law. Unfortunately, the adoption of those provisions reflects a missed opportunity…”
 
Bibliographic info

(a)

Except as provided in Subsection (b), a person does not commit an offense unless he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence engages in conduct as the definition of the offense requires.

(b)

If the definition of an offense does not prescribe a culpable mental state, a culpable mental state is nevertheless required unless the definition plainly dispenses with any mental element.

(c)

If the definition of an offense does not prescribe a culpable mental state, but one is nevertheless required under Subsection (b), intent, knowledge, or recklessness suffices to establish criminal responsibility.

(d)

Culpable mental states are classified according to relative degrees, from highest to lowest, as follows:

(1)

intentional;

(2)

knowing;

(3)

reckless;

(4)

criminal negligence.

(e)

Proof of a higher degree of culpability than that charged constitutes proof of the culpability charged.

(f)

An offense defined by municipal ordinance or by order of a county commissioners court may not dispense with the requirement of a culpable mental state if the offense is punishable by a fine exceeding the amount authorized by Section 12.23 (Class C Misdemeanor).
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1219 (H.B. 970), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Source: Section 6.02 — Requirement of Culpability, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.­6.­htm#6.­02 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 6.02’s source at texas​.gov