Texas Codes
Tex. Penal Code § 43.22 (2026)
Obscene Display Or Distribution
✓ laws through the 89th Legislature (2025)
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Sec. 43.22. OBSCENE DISPLAY OR DISTRIBUTION. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly displays or distributes an obscene photograph, drawing, or similar visual representation or other obscene material and is reckless about whether a person is present who will be offended or alarmed by the display or distribution.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
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.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases, 1982–2018 · leading case: Lo, Ex Parte John Christopher, 424 S.W.3d 10 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).
Lo, Ex Parte John Christopher, 424 S.W.3d 10 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). “21(a)(1), "Obscene" means material or a performance that: (A) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest in sex; (B) depicts or describes: (i) patently offensive representations or descriptions…”
Powell v. State, 632 S.W.2d 842 (Tex. App. 1982). “1982) under which he was charged, cannot be reconciled with Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 43.22 (Vernon 1974) and is therefore unconstitutionally vague, denies equal protection of the law and is a general statute.”
Ex Parte: Jordan Jones, No. 12-17-00346-CR (Tex. App.—Tyler Apr. 18, 2018). “See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 43.22, 43.23 (West 2016).”
Ex Parte: Jordan Jones, No. 12-17-00346-CR (Tex. App.—Tyler May 16, 2018). “See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. §§ 43.22, 43.23 (West 2016).”
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