Texas Penal Code

§ 1.02 — OBJECTIVES OF CODE

PE § 1.02Title 1. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS · Ch. 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Statute text

The general purposes of this code are to establish a system of prohibitions, penalties, and correctional measures to deal with conduct that unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens harm to those individual or public interests for which state protection is appropriate. To this end, the provisions of this code are intended, and shall be construed, to achieve the following objectives:

(1)to insure the public safety through:

(A)the deterrent influence of the penalties hereinafter provided;

(B)the rehabilitation of those convicted of violations of this code; and

(C)such punishment as may be necessary to prevent likely recurrence of criminal behavior;

(2)by definition and grading of offenses to give fair warning of what is prohibited and of the consequences of violation;

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Legislative history

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.