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Tex. Penal Code § 33.024

This is the official text of Tex. Penal Code § 33.024, part of Texas’s Penal Code — defines crimes and punishments in Texas.

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§ 33.024. UNLAWFUL DECRYPTION.

Official statutory text

(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally decrypts encrypted private information through deception and without a legitimate business purpose.

(b) Subject to Subsections (b-1) and (b-2), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(b-1) Subject to Subsection (b-2), if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant acted with the intent to defraud or harm another, an offense under this section is:

(1) a Class C misdemeanor if the value of the aggregate amount involved is less than $100 or cannot be determined;

(2) a Class B misdemeanor if the value of the aggregate amount involved is $100 or more but less than $750;

(3) a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the aggregate amount involved is $750 or more but less than $2,500;

(4) a state jail felony if the value of the aggregate amount involved is $2,500 or more but less than $30,000;

(5) a felony of the third degree if the value of the aggregate amount involved is $30,000 or more but less than $150,000;

(6) a felony of the second degree if the value of the aggregate amount involved is $150,000 or more but less than $300,000; and

(7) a felony of the first degree if the value of the aggregate amount involved is $300,000 or more.

(b-2) If it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant knowingly decrypted privileged information, an offense under this section is:

(1) a state jail felony if the value of the aggregate amount involved is less than $2,500;

(2) a felony of the third degree if:

(A) the value of the aggregate amount involved is $2,500 or more but less than $30,000; or

(B) a client or patient of a victim suffered harm attributable to the offense;

(3) a felony of the second degree if:

(A) the value of the aggregate amount involved is $30,000 or more but less than $150,000; or

(B) a client or patient of a victim suffered bodily injury attributable to the offense; and

(4) a felony of the first degree if:

(A) the value of the aggregate amount involved is $150,000 or more; or

(B) a client or patient of a victim suffered serious bodily injury or death attributable to the offense.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor's conduct was pursuant to an agreement entered into with the owner for the purpose of:

(1) assessing or maintaining the security of the information or of a computer, computer network, or computer system; or

(2) providing other services related to security.

(d) A person who is subject to prosecution under this section and any other section of this code may be prosecuted under either or both sections.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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