Texas Government Code 497.010 – Offense: Sale or Offer of Sale of Prison-Produced Articles or Products
(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally sells or offers to sell on the open market in this state an article or product the person knows was manufactured in whole or in part by an inmate of the department or an inmate in any correctional facility or reformatory institution in this state or in any other state, other than an inmate:
(1) who was on community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision;
(2) employed by an enterprise that has employed the inmate in order to take advantage of the franchise tax credit offered under Subchapter L, Chapter 171, Tax Code, at the time of manufacture; or
(3) participating in a federally certified prison industry enhancement program.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 180 days | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Texas Government Code 497.010
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- 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
(c) It is an exception to the application of this section that the article or product sold is:
(1) a state flag or similar item produced for sale or distribution by the legislature under Section 301.071; or
(2) a service provided under a contract for which the Private Sector/Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program operated by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and authorized by 18 U.S.C. § 1761 does not require certification.
(d) It is an exception to the application of this section that the actor was an inmate or state jail defendant confined in a facility operated by or under contract with the department who sold or offered to sell an art or craft in the manner authorized under Section 501.013(b).