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Mail Theft. Current as of April 14, 2021 | Updated by FindLaw Staff. (a) In this section: (1) “Disabled individual” and “elderly individual” have the meanings assigned by Section 22.04. (2) “Identifying information” has the meaning assigned by Section 32.51. (3) “Mail” means a letter, postal card, package, bag, or other sealed article that:
Sec. 31.04. THEFT OF SERVICE. (a) A person commits theft of service if, with intent to avoid payment for service that the actor knows is provided only for compensation: (1) the actor intentionally or knowingly secures performance of the service by deception, threat, or false token;
“Mail” means a letter, postal card, package, bag, or other sealed article that: (A) is delivered by a common carrier or delivery service and not yet received by the addressee; or (B) has been left to be collected for delivery by a common carrier or delivery service. (b)
On Sept. 1, 2019, stealing packages off of porches will be a felony offense in Texas, punishable by prison time. Signed into law on June 10, 2019, House Bill (HB) 37 will make it a felony offense to steal packages, letters, postcards, and sealed packages from homes.
WHAT IS MAIL THEFT IN TEXAS? The Texas law against mail theft prohibits stealing letters, packages, bags, or any other sealed article addressed for delivery to another.
According to the wording of this statute, taking packages without permission is theft. Under Texas law, the severity of the crime is based on the value of the property stolen. For example, if the value of the property is less than $100, the criminal defendant can face a fine up to $500.
Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 7, Sec. 32.51, penalties increase when package contents contain identifying information, such as a driver’s license or passport. An individual found targeting porches of elderly or disabled residents might face a third-degree felony conviction.