Tex. Codes » Penal Code · TITLE 9. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY · CHAPTER 42. DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES
Texas Codes

Tex. Penal Code § 42.14 (2026)

Illumination Of Aircraft By Intense Light

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Sec. 42.14. ILLUMINATION OF AIRCRAFT BY INTENSE LIGHT. (a) A person commits an offense if:

(1) the person intentionally directs a light from a laser pointer or other light source at an aircraft; and

(2) the light has an intensity sufficient to impair the operator's ability to control the aircraft.

(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor was using the light to send an emergency distress signal.

(c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless the intensity of the light impairs the operator's ability to control the aircraft, in which event the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other law.

(e) In this section, "laser pointer" has the meaning assigned by Section 42.13.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 680 (H.B. 1586), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1992–2009 · leading case: Amspacher v. State, 311 S.W.3d 564 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009).
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Amspacher v. State, 311 S.W.3d 564 (Tex. App.—Waco 2009). · cites it 2× “Tex. Pen.Code Ann. § 42.14 (Vernon Supp. 2008).”
State v. Jimenez, 828 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1992). · cites it 2× “See Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 42.14 (Vernon Supp.”
Jacob Rufus Amspacher v. State, No. 10-09-00221-CR (Tex. App.—Waco Dec. 30, 2009). “TEX. PEN. CODE ANN. § 42.14 (Vernon Supp.”
Tex. Penal Code § 42.14(a): 1 case
State v. Jimenez, 828 S.W.2d 455 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1992). “See Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 42.14 (Vernon Supp.”
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