Texas Penal Code

§ 38.12 — BARRATRY AND SOLICITATION OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

PE § 38.12Title 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION · Ch. 38. OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATION

Statute text

(a)A person commits an offense if, with intent to obtain an economic benefit the person:

(1)knowingly institutes a suit or claim that the person has not been authorized to pursue;

(2)solicits employment, in person, by telephone, through a direct message on a social media platform, or by another electronic communication, including through a false, misleading, or deceptive electronic communication, for the person or for another;

(3)pays, gives, or advances or offers to pay, give, or advance to a prospective client money or anything of value to obtain employment as a professional from the prospective client;

(4)pays or gives or offers to pay or give a person money or anything of value to solicit employment;

(5)pays or gives or offers to pay or give a family member of a prospective client money or anything of value to solicit employment; or

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Legislative history

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1252 (H.B. 148), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 315 (H.B. 1711), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 419 (H.B. 2733), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.