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Baker's Texas Penal Code Handbook includes the full text of the Texas Penal Code as amended through the 79th Session of the Texas Legislature, and contains over 16,000 case notes from reported Texas court decisions, constituting a one-volume annotated Texas Penal Code. For more information visit the Baker's Texas Penal Code Handbook information page. The 2006 Edition of Baker's Texas Penal Code Handbook contains 203 case notes under Chapter 42. Use our order form to place your order today.
No amendments to this provision were enacted at the 79th Regular Session of the Texas Legisature (2005).
2004 Texas Penal Code
TITLE 9. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY
CHAPTER 42. DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES
Sec. 42.04. Defense When Conduct Consists of Speech or Other Expression.
(a) If conduct that would otherwise violate Section 42.01(a)(5) (Unreasonable Noise) or 42.03 (Obstructing Passageway) consists of speech or other communication, of gathering with others to hear or observe such speech or communication, or of gathering with others to picket or otherwise express in a nonviolent manner a position on social, economic, political, or religious questions, the actor must be ordered to move, disperse, or otherwise remedy the violation prior to his arrest if he has not yet intentionally harmed the interests of others which those sections seek to protect.
(b) The order required by this section may be given by a peace officer, a fireman, a person with authority to control the use of the premises, or any person directly affected by the violation.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 42.01(a)(5) or 42.03:
(1) that in circumstances in which this section requires an order no order was given;
(2) that an order, if given, was manifestly unreasonable in scope; or
(3) that an order, if given, was promptly obeyed.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

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