Texas Transportation Code 501.109 – Offenses
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) applies to the department for a title for a motor vehicle; and
(2) knows or reasonably should know that:
(A) the vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;
(B) the vehicle identification number assigned to the motor vehicle belongs to a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;
(C) the title issued to the motor vehicle belongs to a nonrepairable motor vehicle that has been repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed;
(D) the vehicle identification number assigned to the motor vehicle belongs to an export-only motor vehicle;
(E) the motor vehicle is an export-only motor vehicle; or
(F) the motor vehicle is a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle title, salvage vehicle title, or comparable ownership document issued by another state or jurisdiction has not been issued.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly sells, transfers, or releases a salvage motor vehicle in violation of this subchapter.
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| State jail felony | between 180 days and 2 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 180 days | up to $2,000 |
| Class C misdemeanor | up to $500 |
Terms Used In Texas Transportation Code 501.109
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly fails or refuses to surrender a regular certificate of title after the person:
(1) receives a notice from an insurance company that the motor vehicle is a nonrepairable or salvage motor vehicle; or
(2) knows the vehicle has become a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle under § 501.1001.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) is a Class C misdemeanor.
(e) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) that the defendant has been previously convicted of:
(1) one offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c), the offense is a Class B misdemeanor; or
(2) two or more offenses under Subsection (a), (b), or (c), the offense is a state jail felony.
(f) Subsection (c) does not apply to an applicant for a title under Sections 501.0925 and 501.0935.
(g) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly provides false or incorrect information or without legal authority signs the name of another person on:
(1) an application for a title to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;
(2) an application for a certified copy of an original title to a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;
(3) an assignment of title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle;
(4) a discharge of a lien on a title for a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle; or
(5) any other document required by the department or necessary for the transfer of ownership of a nonrepairable motor vehicle or salvage motor vehicle.
(h) An offense under Subsection (g) is a felony of the third degree.