Tex. Penal Code § 22.01 · Chapter 22. ASSAULTIVE OFFENSES
ASSAULT.
Text — Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse;
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury, including the person's spouse; or
(3) intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed against:
(1) a person the actor knows is a public servant while the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty, or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty as a public servant;
(2) a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code, if:
(A) it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense that was committed:
(i) against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code; and
(ii) under:
(a) this chapter, Chapter 19, or Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11;
(b) Section 25.07, if the applicable violation was based on the commission of family violence as described by Subsection (a)(1) of that section; or
(c) Section 25.072, if any of the applicable violations were based on the commission of family violence as described by Section 25.07(a)(1); or
(B) the offense is committed by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth;
(3) a person who contracts with government to perform a service in a facility described by Section 1.07(a)(14), Penal Code, or Section 51.02(13) or (14), Family Code, or an employee of that person:
(A) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract, if the actor knows the person or employee is authorized by government to provide the service; or
(B) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract;
(4) a person the actor knows is a security officer while the officer is performing a duty as a security officer;
(5) a person the actor knows is emergency services personnel while the person is providing emergency services;
(6) a person the actor knows is a process server while the person is performing a duty as a process server;
(7) a pregnant individual to force the individual to have an abortion;
(8) a person the actor knows is pregnant at the time of the offense;
(9) a person the actor knows is hospital personnel while the person is located on hospital property, including all land and buildings owned or leased by the hospital; or
(10) a person the actor knows or reasonably should know is an employee or agent of a utility while the person is performing a duty within the scope of that employment or agency.
(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c), an offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed:
(1) by an actor who is committed to a civil commitment facility; and
(2) against:
(A) a person the actor knows is an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office:
(i) while the officer or employee is lawfully discharging an official duty; or
(ii) in retaliation for or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty by the officer or employee; or
(B) a person the actor knows is contracting with the state to perform a service in a civil commitment facility or an employee of that person:
(i) while the person or employee is engaged in performing a service within the scope of the contract; or
(ii) in retaliation for or on account of the person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of the contract.
(b-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (b)(1), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a peace officer or judge while the officer or judge is lawfully discharging an official duty or in retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or performance of an official duty as a peace officer or judge.
(b-3) Notwithstanding Subsection (b)(2), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the second degree if:
(1) the offense is committed against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code;
(2) it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense that was committed:
(A) against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code; and
(B) under:
(i) this chapter, Chapter 19, or Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11;
(ii) Section 25.07, if the applicable violation was based on the commission of family violence as described by Subsection (a)(1) of that section; or
(iii) Section 25.072, if any of the applicable violations were based on the commission of family violence as described by Section 25.07(a)(1); and
(3) the offense is committed by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth.
(b-4) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the actor committed the offense in the course of committing an offense under Section 20.05(a)(2).
(c) An offense under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) is a Class C misdemeanor, except that the offense is:
(1) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (a)(3) against an elderly individual or disabled individual, as those terms are defined by Section 22.04;
(2) a Class B misdemeanor if the offense is committed by a person who is not a sports participant against a person the actor knows is a sports participant either:
(A) while the participant is performing duties or responsibilities in the participant's capacity as a sports participant; or
(B) in retaliation for or on account of the participant's performance of a duty or responsibility within the participant's capacity as a sports participant; or
(3) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed against a pregnant individual to force the individual to have an abortion.
(d) For purposes of Subsection (b), the actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a public servant, a security officer, an employee or agent of a utility, or emergency services personnel if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's employment, agency, or status, as applicable.
(d-1) The actor is presumed to have known the person assaulted was a person described by Subsection (b-1)(2)(A) or (B), as applicable, if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge indicating the person's status as an officer or employee of the Texas Civil Commitment Office or a contractor or employee of a contractor performing a service in a civil commitment facility.
(e) In this section:
(1) "Emergency services personnel" includes firefighters, emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code, emergency room personnel, and other individuals who, in the course and scope of employment or as a volunteer, provide services for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations.
(1-a) "Hospital personnel" includes nurses, physicians, physician assistants, maintenance or janitorial staff, receptionists, and other individuals who are employed by or work in a facility that is licensed as a general hospital or special hospital, as those terms are defined by Section 241.003, Health and Safety Code, including a hospital maintained or operated by the state.
(2) "Process server" has the meaning assigned by Section 156.001, Government Code.
(3) "Security officer" means a commissioned security officer as defined by Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, or a noncommissioned security officer registered under Section 1702.221, Occupations Code.
(4) "Sports participant" means a person who participates in any official capacity with respect to an interscholastic, intercollegiate, or other organized amateur or professional athletic competition and includes an athlete, referee, umpire, linesman, coach, instructor, administrator, or staff member.
(5) "Utility" means:
(A) an electric utility, as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code;
(B) a telecommunications provider, as defined by Section 51.002, Utilities Code;
(C) a cable service provider or video service provider, as defined by Section 66.002, Utilities Code;
(D) a gas utility, as defined by Section 101.003, Utilities Code, which for the purposes of this subsection includes a municipally owned utility as defined by that section;
(E) a gas utility, as defined by Section 121.001, Utilities Code;
(F) a pipeline used for the transportation or sale of oil, gas, or related products; or
(G) an electric cooperative or municipally owned utility, as defined by Section 11.003, Utilities Code.
(f) For the purposes of Subsections (b)(2)(A) and (b-3)(2):
(1) a defendant has been previously convicted of an offense listed in those subsections committed against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code, if the defendant was adjudged guilty of the offense or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in return for a grant of deferred adjudication, regardless of whether the sentence for the offense was ever imposed or whether the sentence was probated and the defendant was subsequently discharged from community supervision; and
(2) a conviction under the laws of another state for an offense containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed in those subsections is a conviction of the offense listed.
(g) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under another section of this code, the actor may be prosecuted under either section or both sections.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 55, ch. 2, Sec. 12, 13, eff. July 22, 1977; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 260, ch. 135, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 367, ch. 164, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5311, ch. 977, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1052, Sec. 2.08, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 739, Sec. 1 to 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 284(23) to (26), eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 334, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 366, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 27.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 318, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 659, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 27.01, 31.01(68), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 15.02(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1158, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 294, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1019, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1028, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 16.002, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 788 (S.B. 91), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 788 (S.B. 91), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 788 (S.B. 91), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 623 (H.B. 495), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 623 (H.B. 495), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 427 (H.B. 2066), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 665 (H.B. 2240), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 875 (H.B. 705), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 34 (S.B. 1576), Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 440 (H.B. 2908), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 858 (H.B. 2552), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 21.001(39), eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 21.002(14), eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 751 (H.B. 902), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 461 (H.B. 1306), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 461 (H.B. 1306), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 199 (S.B. 840), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 199 (S.B. 840), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 351 (S.B. 1179), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 694 (H.B. 1589), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 4), Sec. 6, eff. February 6, 2024.
Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 478 (S.B. 482), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.
Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 478 (S.B. 482), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2025.
Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1145 (S.B. 1610), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2025.
Source of truth
- Edition
- Current through the 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025
- Official file
- https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.22.htm
- Text hash
- sha256 f1c1e5f2890df394c7b18720d3f4d0671084561b9a76fc95474be11e75dbac73
- 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.
Family Code
Health and Safety Code
Occupations Code
Penal Code
- Tex. Penal Code § 1.07DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 1.07(a)(14), Penal Code
- Tex. Penal Code ch. 19CRIMINAL HOMICIDEPrinted as Chapter 19
- Tex. Penal Code § 20.03KIDNAPPING.Printed as Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11
- Tex. Penal Code § 20.04AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING.Printed as Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11
- Tex. Penal Code § 20.05SMUGGLING OF PERSONS.Printed as Section 20.05(a)(2)
- Tex. Penal Code § 21.11INDECENCY WITH A CHILD.Printed as Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11
- Tex. Penal Code § 22.04INJURY TO A CHILD, ELDERLY INDIVIDUAL, OR DISABLED INDIVIDUAL.Printed as Section 22.04
- Tex. Penal Code § 25.07VIOLATION OF CERTAIN COURT ORDERS OR CONDITIONS OF BOND IN A FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ABUSE, INDECENT ASSAULT, STALKING, OR TRAFFICKING CASE.Printed as Section 25.07 | Section 25.07(a)(1)
- Tex. Penal Code § 25.072REPEATED VIOLATION OF CERTAIN COURT ORDERS OR CONDITIONS OF BOND IN FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ABUSE, INDECENT ASSAULT, STALKING, OR TRAFFICKING CASE.Printed as Section 25.072
- Tex. Penal Code § 25.11CONTINUOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE FAMILY.Printed as Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11
- Tex. Penal Code § 51.02ILLEGAL ENTRY FROM FOREIGN NATION.Printed as Section 51.02(13)
Utilities Code
- Tex. Util. Code § 11.003DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 11.003, Utilities Code
- Tex. Util. Code § 31.002DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 31.002, Utilities Code
- Tex. Util. Code § 51.002DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 51.002, Utilities Code
- Tex. Util. Code § 66.002DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 66.002, Utilities Code
- Tex. Util. Code § 101.003DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 101.003, Utilities Code
- Tex. Util. Code § 121.001DEFINITION OF GAS UTILITY.Printed as Section 121.001, Utilities Code
Cited by 28 provisions
Provisions in this library whose text cites Tex. Penal Code § 22.01. Each shows the citation as that text prints it.
Code of Criminal Procedure
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2A.202PEACE OFFICERS: REPORT CONCERNING CERTAIN ASSAULTIVE OR TERRORISTIC OFFENSES.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 12.01FELONIES.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 12.02MISDEMEANORS.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 13A.204CONTINUOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE FAMILY.Printed as Section 22.01(a)(1), Penal Code
- Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 15.27NOTIFICATION TO SCHOOLS REQUIRED.Printed as Section 20.02, 21.08, 22.01, 22.05, 22.07, or 71.02, Penal Code
Education Code
- Tex. Educ. Code § 37.006REMOVAL FOR CERTAIN CONDUCT.Printed as Section 22.01(a)(1), Penal Code
- Tex. Educ. Code § 37.007EXPULSION FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES.Printed as Section 22.01(a)(1), Penal Code
- Tex. Educ. Code § 37.0151REPORT TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REGARDING CERTAIN CONDUCT CONSTITUTING ASSAULT OR HARASSMENT; LIABILITY.Printed as Section 22.01 or 42.07(a)(7), Penal Code
Government Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 25.0172BEXAR COUNTY COURT AT LAW PROVISIONS.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 25.0732EL PASO COUNTY COURT AT LAW PROVISIONS.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 411.0735PROCEDURE FOR CONVICTION; CERTAIN MISDEMEANORS.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 411.1355CENTRAL DATABASE OF OFFENDERS WHO HAVE COMMITTED CERTAIN VIOLENT OFFENSES.Printed as Section 22.01, 22.011, 22.02, or 22.021, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 501.0668DUTIES FOLLOWING MISCARRIAGE OR PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF PREGNANT INMATE.Printed as Section 22.01 or 22.02, Penal Code
- Tex. Gov't Code § 508.149INMATES INELIGIBLE FOR MANDATORY SUPERVISION.Printed as Section 22.01, Penal Code
Health and Safety Code
Human Resources Code
Local Government Code
Occupations Code
Penal Code
- Tex. Penal Code § 3.03SENTENCES FOR OFFENSES ARISING OUT OF SAME CRIMINAL EPISODE.Printed as Section 22.01
- Tex. Penal Code § 12.50PENALTY IF OFFENSE COMMITTED IN DISASTER AREA OR EVACUATED AREA.Printed as Section 22.01
- Tex. Penal Code § 22.06CONSENT AS DEFENSE TO ASSAULTIVE CONDUCT.Printed as Section 22.01
- Tex. Penal Code § 25.11CONTINUOUS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE FAMILY.Printed as Section 22.01(a)(1)
- Tex. Penal Code § 31.01DEFINITIONS.Printed as Section 22.01
- Tex. Penal Code § 42.07HARASSMENT.Printed as Section 22.01(e)
- Tex. Penal Code § 46.02UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS.Printed as Section 22.01(a)(1), 22.05, 22.07, or 42.01(a)(7)
- Tex. Penal Code § 46.04UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM.Printed as Section 22.01
- Tex. Penal Code § 76.045TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION.Printed as Section 22.01
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.