Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 49.22 · Subchapter A. DUTIES PERFORMED BY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
SEALING PREMISES OF DECEASED.
Text — Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
Text of article effective until April 01, 2027
(a) If a body or body part that is subject to an inquest under Article 49.04 of this code is found on premises that were under the sole control of the deceased, a justice of the peace or other person authorized under this subchapter to conduct an inquest may direct that the premises be locked and sealed to prohibit entrance by any person other than a peace officer conducting an investigation of the death.
(b) Rent, utility charges, taxes, and all other reasonable expenses accruing against the property of the deceased during the time the premises of the deceased are locked and sealed under this article may be charged against the estate of the deceased.
(c) A person other than a peace officer commits an offense if the person tampers with or removes a lock or seal placed on premises under this article.
(d) An offense under this article is a Class B misdemeanor.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 529, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Subsec. (d) amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 656, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Subsec. (a) amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 826, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003 and Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1295, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 3.01, eff. April 1, 2027.
Source of truth
- Edition
- Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
- Official file
- https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.49.htm
- Text hash
- sha256 6da6cfd4d01fdf61c284481023e4706cd56139f3225c74e0bac14329c04e84f7
- Composed by
- compose_tx.py 2026-10-05: the Legislative Council's chapter files read in document order; verify_tx.py's independent reading (lxml DOM walk) agrees character for character
This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
Code of Criminal Procedure
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.