Houston Criminal Defense
Interference with Child Custody is a serious crime. Most people are not familiar with the legal elements. If you are not familiar, the Texas Penal Code section on Interference with Child Custody is printed below. If convicted, the range of punishment is from six months to two years in a state jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, call experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer James Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a confidential consultation.
James (Jim) Sullivan is an experienced Houston Criminal Defense Attorney. For over 25 years, Sullivan has successfully fought the government in Jury Trials on behalf of clients in criminal and juvenile courts.
James Sullivan attended the Trial Lawyers College founded by Legendary lawyer Gerry Spence. Sullivan has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts throughout Texas.
Texas Penal Code, Section 25.03 – Interference with Child Custody
CHAPTER 25. OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY
§ 25.03. INTERFERENCE WITH CHILD CUSTODY.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person takes or retains a child younger than 18 years when the person:
(1) knows that the person’s taking or retention violates the express terms of a judgment or order of a court disposing of the child’s custody; or
(2) has not been awarded custody of the child by a court of competent jurisdiction, knows that a suit for divorce or a civil suit or application for habeas corpus to dispose of the child’s custody has been filed, and takes the child out of the geographic area of the counties composing the judicial district if the court is a district court or the county if the court is a statutory county court, without the permission of the court and with the intent to deprive the court of authority over the child.
(b) A noncustodial parent commits an offense if, with the intent to interfere with the lawful custody of a child younger than 18 years, the noncustodial parent knowingly entices or persuades the child to leave the custody of the custodial parent, guardian, or person standing in the stead of the custodial parent or guardian of the child.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(2) that the actor returned the child to the geographic area of the counties composing the judicial district if the court is a district court or the county if the court is a statutory county court, within three days after the date of the commission of the offense.
(d) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
