Revised 11/20/2020
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drugs (e.g., barbiturates, Benzedrine).
Fondling: The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification,
without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent
because of his or her age or because of his or her temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
Incest: Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein
marriage is prohibited by law.
Liquor Law Violations: The violation of state or local laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture,
sale, purchase, transportation, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages, not including driving under the
influence and drunkenness.
Manslaughter by Negligence: The killing of another person through gross negligence. Any death
caused by the gross negligence of another (i.e., something a reasonable and prudent person would not
do). Note: “gross negligence” is the intentional failure to perform a manifest duty in reckless disregard of
the consequences as affecting the life or property of another.
Motor Vehicle Theft: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. Does not include thefts from a motor
vehicle. Classify as motor vehicle theft all incidents where automobiles are taken by persons not having
lawful access even though the vehicles are later abandoned, including joy riding.
Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter: The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by
another. Any death caused by injuries received in a fight, argument, quarrel, assault, or the commission
of a crime. Note: do not include suicides, fetal deaths, traffic fatalities, accidental deaths, assaults with
intent to murder, attempts to murder, deaths by negligence, or justifiable homicides.
Rape: The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus, with any body part or object, or oral
penetration be a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim. This offense includes the
rape of both males and females.
Robbery: The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person
or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear. Essential elements:
committed in the presence of a victim (usually the owner or person having custody of the property); victim
is directly confronted by the perpetrator; victim is threatened with force or put in fear that force will be
used; and involves a theft or larceny. Includes both armed robbery and robbery where only personal
weapons (e.g., hands, fists, feet, etc.) are used.
Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent. Note: the
statutory age of consent in Texas is 17.
Weapons: Carrying, Possessing, Etc.: The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture,
sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments,
explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly weapons. This classification encompasses weapons
offenses that are regulatory in nature.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Offenses
The following definitions should be used when classifying Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) crimes
and offenses. These definitions are taken from the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013
(VAWA).
Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a
romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined
based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type