DAWSON COUNTY LEGAL CODE
Est. 1895 - Territory of Texas
⚖️ Misdemeanor Offenses
M1 - Providing False Information
Giving false statements or incorrect details to law enforcement officers or court officials during an investigation or legal proceeding.
Max Fine
$25
Max Jail Time
5 min
M2 - Refusal to Identify
Refusing to provide valid identification documents when lawfully requested by a peace officer or member of the court.
Max Fine
$15
Max Jail Time
--
M3 - Face Covering in Town
Wearing any mask, bandana, face paint, or other obstruction that conceals identity while within established town limits. May result in temporary removal from town.
Max Fine
$20
Max Jail Time
--
M4 - Indecent Exposure
Deliberately appearing unclothed or engaging in inappropriate public acts such as urination, defecation, or lewd behavior in public view.
Max Fine
$15
Max Jail Time
--
M5 - Reckless Riding
Operating a horse or wagon at dangerous speeds or in a careless manner that creates risk of harm to others within town boundaries.
Max Fine
$15
Max Jail Time
--
M6 - Property Defacement
Intentionally damaging, defacing, or destroying property that belongs to another person or entity.
Max Fine
$40
Max Jail Time
--
M7 - Breach of Peace
Engaging in disruptive, disorderly, or tumultuous conduct that disturbs public tranquility and civility in town or other public settings.
Max Fine
$20
Max Jail Time
--
M8 - Flight from Detention
Willfully fleeing or attempting to escape when lawfully detained or stopped by a peace officer.
Max Fine
$40
Max Jail Time
10 min
M11 - Trespass on Private Land
Unlawfully entering or remaining on privately owned land or property without authorization from the owner or legal occupant.
Max Fine
$20
Max Jail Time
--
M12 - Weapon Display
Drawing or displaying a weapon with threatening or menacing intent toward another person, such as walking around town with weapon in hand.
Max Fine
$30
Max Jail Time
--
M13 - Negligent Endangerment
Acting with carelessness or negligence in ways that endanger others, such as failing to secure a horse or pushing people in crowded areas.
Max Fine
$25
Max Jail Time
--
⚠️ Minor Felony Offenses
MF1 - Livestock Theft
Taking or killing another person's animals including horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, sheep, or other livestock without permission.
Max Fine
$75
Max Jail Time
15 min
MF2 - Wagon Theft
Stealing a wagon or carriage belonging to another person, including those owned by locals.
Max Fine
$80
Max Jail Time
18 min
MF3 - Vigilante Justice
Acting as law enforcement or attempting to enforce laws without proper legal authority or deputization.
Max Fine
$60
Max Jail Time
15 min
MF4 - Deceptive Practices
Using deceit, trickery, or fraudulent methods to deprive another person of property or rights. Includes forgery, false business practices, and swindling.
Max Fine
$65
Max Jail Time
20 min
MF5 - Coercion
Forcing someone to perform actions or provide favors through use of threats, physical force, bribery, or intimidation.
Max Fine
$100
Max Jail Time
40 min
MF8 - Mistreatment of Animals
Assaulting, torturing, or intentionally harming domesticated or farm animals including horses, dogs, cats, and livestock.
Max Fine
$100
Max Jail Time
40 min
MF9 - Malicious Destruction
Causing significant intentional damage to another person's property through criminal mischief or malicious acts.
Max Fine
$30
Max Jail Time
7 min
🔫 High Felony - Robbery
HFR1 - Civilian Robbery
Robbing individuals, taking crops, stealing livestock, or looting graves through use of force or threat. Includes attempted robberies.
Max Fine
$100
Max Jail Time
35 min
HFR2 - Business Robbery
Robbing a general store or business establishment (excluding banks, oil facilities, or government buildings). Includes attempted robberies.
Max Fine
$60
Max Jail Time
12 min
HFR3 - Bank or Oil Robbery
Robbing or unlawfully occupying any bank or oil production facility through force or threat. Includes unsuccessful attempts.
Max Fine
$150
Max Jail Time
25 min
HFR4 - Federal Facility Robbery
Robbing or unlawfully occupying any fort or federal government facility. This is a serious federal offense.
Max Fine
$200
Max Jail Time
35 min
HF12 - Train Heist
Robbing or attempting to rob a train or conductor while the train is in operation. Does not apply to mission trains.
Max Fine
$250
Max Jail Time
45 min
⚔️ High Felony - Violent Crimes
HF1 - Assault on Government Employee
Attempting to cause injury to any lawman, judge, mayor, doctor, or other government official through physical means.
Max Fine
$150
Max Jail Time
45 min
HF2 - Civilian Assault
Attempting to cause injury to a civilian or local resident through physical violence when not acting in self-defense.
Max Fine
$30
Max Jail Time
7 min
HF3 - Government Impersonation
Pretending to be a government employee, introducing oneself as such, or attempting to perform government duties without authorization.
Max Fine
$125
Max Jail Time
30 min
HF4 - Attempted Murder - Government Employee
Using lethal force or weapons with intent to kill any government employee. If 4 or more victims, requires judge determination.
Max Fine
$300
Max Jail Time
60 min
HF5 - Attempted Murder - Civilian
Using lethal force or weapons with intent to end the life of a civilian. If 4 or more victims, requires judge determination.
Max Fine
$175
Max Jail Time
35 min
HF6 - Desecration of Remains
Dismembering, mistreating, abusing, or otherwise disrespecting human corpses, including parading bodies or other acts of disrespect.
Max Fine
$100
Max Jail Time
30 min
HF7 - Infliction of Suffering
Deliberately causing severe pain and suffering to another person for enjoyment or to achieve an objective through torture.
Max Fine
$200
Max Jail Time
60 min
HF9 - Custody Escape
Breaking out of jail or otherwise removing oneself from lawful custody or detention by law enforcement.
Max Fine
$100
Max Jail Time
45 min
HF11 - Forcible Detention
Taking, holding, or attempting to hold a person against their will through use of force, threats of violence, or coercion.
Max Fine
$150
Max Jail Time
45 min
HF13 - Intentional Fire Setting
Deliberately setting fire to property or wagons belonging to another person. Only one count charged per incident.
Max Fine
$125
Max Jail Time
35 min
🚫 Contraband Violations
CB1 - Low-Level Possession
Possessing 5 or fewer items of a single type of contraband. All contraband items are confiscated upon arrest.
Max Fine
$50
Max Jail Time
10 min
CB2 - Criminal Possession
Possessing 6 or more items of a single contraband type OR possessing an aggregate total of 12 or more contraband items.
Max Fine
$600
Max Jail Time
70 min
CB3 - Contraband Sales
Selling any contraband items to civilians or locals. All contraband is confiscated.
Max Fine
$1500
Max Jail Time
120 min
CB4 - Contraband Transport
Possessing at least 10 items of contraband on a horse or wagon for purposes of transportation or distribution.
Max Fine
$300
Max Jail Time
35 min
CB5 - Contraband Manufacturing
Producing or manufacturing contraband items including moonshine, narcotics, or other illegal goods.
Max Fine
$1500
Max Jail Time
120 min
CB7 - Black Market Dealings
Conducting business with the black market or using an intermediary to purchase or sell illegal goods.
Max Fine
$1500
Max Jail Time
120 min
💀 Capital Felonies
⚠️ ALL CAPITAL CHARGES REQUIRE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR JUDGE APPROVAL. SUSPECTS ARE HELD PENDING TRIAL OR JUDICIAL DETERMINATION.
CF1 - Capital Murder
Murder of any government employee including law enforcement, Department of Justice, medical personnel, judges, or the mayor. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$400
Max Jail Time
50 min
CF2 - First Degree Murder
Premeditated killing of another person with malice and forethought. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$100
Max Jail Time
22 min
CF3 - Second Degree Murder
Unpremeditated killing committed during violent or criminal acts. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$90
Max Jail Time
20 min
CF4 - Cannibalism
Attempting, planning, or committing the act of consuming human remains, whether deceased or alive. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$300
Max Jail Time
75 min
CF5 - Treason
Openly betraying and defying the government or attempting to overturn it through acts of speech or violence. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$325
Max Jail Time
48 min
CF6/CF7 - Serial Crime
Commission or attempt of 5 or more serious crimes within 24 hours, OR attempted murder of 7+ people in a single incident. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$400
Max Jail Time
100 min
CF8 - Government Corruption
Abuse of a government position for personal gain or benefit. All weapons confiscated.
Max Fine
$350
Max Jail Time
80 min
CF12 - Heinous Act
Any series of crimes or singular crime so violent or severe that it requires trial, including mass murder or extreme torture.
Max Fine
$400
Max Jail Time
55 min
CF13 - Major Contraband Operation
Possession of 75 or more contraband items in one arrest OR 100+ items within a 24-hour period. Requires Marshal or higher approval.
Max Fine
$500
Max Jail Time
40 min
📜 Legal Notice
Enforcement: All laws are enforced by the Dawson County Sheriff's Department and deputized lawmen. Penalties may be adjusted at the discretion of the presiding judge or senior law enforcement officer based on circumstances and criminal history.
Appeals: Any person convicted of a crime has the right to appeal their sentence to the County Judge within 24 hours of sentencing.
Amendments: This legal code is subject to amendment by the County Judge and Sheriff with public notice. Citizens will be notified of any changes to the law through posted notices and public announcements.