Interfering with emergency communications is one of the most serious ways a person can disrupt public safety in Texas. When a person blocks, interrupts, or disables a line of communication meant to request help, that interference can put lives at risk, delay medical care, and disrupt the ability of law enforcement and emergency responders to do their jobs. 911 and emergency services exist for the primary purpose of ensuring public safety and providing emergency response. Many people wonder: is interfering with a 911 call a felony in Texas? The answer depends on the facts, the person’s criminal history, and whether the interference created imminent danger or led to bodily injury or serious bodily injury.
The Texas Penal Code contains multiple statutes that can apply when a person commits an offense involving interference with an emergency call, misuse of emergency frequencies, or disruption of a governmental response. These cases are often treated aggressively because they involve more than a private dispute—they affect public safety, governmental operation, and the ability of a peace officer, fire fighter, or other emergency professionals to respond to ill or injured persons.
This article walks through what the offense is, how it is charged, when it becomes a state jail felony, what penalties apply, and which defense strategies may exist. We’ll also cover related topics such as Section 42.074 of the Texas Penal Code, the 545.351 law in Texas, and how interference laws connect to the health and safety code, safety code, transportation code, occupations code, and even the agriculture code and water code in certain contexts.
Understanding the Offense
What Is “Interference with an Emergency Call” in Texas?
In Texas, interference with a 911 call typically refers to conduct where a person prevents, blocks, interrupts, or stops another person from making an emergency call or causes a device to become unusable in an emergency.
Under the Texas Penal Code, a person commits an offense if they knowingly prevent or interfere with another person’s ability to place a telephone call to emergency services. That means physically taking a phone away, damaging it, disconnecting it, or otherwise interfering with the person transmitting information to a dispatcher.
A person commits an offense if they interfere with the attempt to request assistance from a 911 center, a law enforcement agency, or any other agency that exists to provide emergency medical services. These agencies are protected under the law while performing a duty related to emergency response.
The statute often applies in situations involving domestic disputes, workplace incidents, or conflicts where a victim tries to call for help and the other party tries to stop the call.
Emergency Calls Are Protected for a Reason
Emergency telephone access is protected because it supports the public’s ability to get rapid response in a crisis. Interfering with emergency communications delays response from a peace officer, a fire fighter, animal control, emergency responders, and other public safety groups. Such interference disrupts a person’s responsibilities in ensuring public safety and emergency response.
Texas law is structured to ensure individuals can seek help immediately—especially where imminent assault, imminent danger, injury, domestic violence, or threats are present.
A person commits an offense if they intentionally interfere with the ability of another person to make a 911 telephone call, especially when the call is intended to report:
- A crime in progress
- A threat of violence
- A medical emergency involving ill or injured persons
- Property damage
- An assault or domestic violence incident
- A situation requiring a peace officer or EMS response
Because these calls trigger immediate response, interference is treated as a serious criminal offense.
How the Texas Penal Code Defines the Crime
The Core Rule: “A Person Commits an Offense If…”
Texas law contains a common statutory phrase: a person commits an offense if the person engages in prohibited conduct. Interference with emergency communications is one of those offenses.
Generally, the offense occurs when a person:
- Prevents another person from making an emergency call
- Stops or blocks a telephone call to police or 911
- Takes or disables a phone so it cannot be used
- Interferes with the call through force, intimidation, or destruction of the device
- Interrupts emergency communications by acting with criminal negligence in certain circumstances
This is a distinct charge from assault or harassment. It’s rooted in the public administration chapter of the penal code, where offenses against public administration are addressed.
“Recklessly Rendering a Telephone Unusable” Can Still Be a Crime
Even if the person did not intend to block a call, Texas law can apply when someone recklessly renders a phone unusable for emergency contact. That means a person’s conduct engaged in—whether reckless, negligent, or intentionally violent—results in the phone being unable to function.
For example, if during an argument a person throws a phone against a wall, stomps on it, snaps it, or submerges it, prosecutors may argue that the person commits an offense because the action interfered with a telephone call that could have been made in an emergency.
In some situations, criminal negligence interrupts communication, and prosecutors may argue the person is still responsible for creating a situation where emergency communication could not occur, especially if there was imminent danger. Interference may also hinder law enforcement or emergency personnel engaged in investigative purposes at the scene.
What Type of Charge Is Interfering with a 911 Call?
Is It a Misdemeanor or Felony?
Many people assume interfering with a 911 call is automatically a felony. However, the base offense is generally charged as a misdemeanor. That said, felony enhancement is possible.
Depending on the facts, interfering with a 911 call can be:
- A class b misdemeanor
- A class a misdemeanor
- A state jail felony
Texas prosecutors consider whether the defendant intentionally interfered, whether the act created danger, whether there was injury, whether the person had previously been convicted, and whether the defendant has previously been convicted of similar offenses.
A person commits an offense if they prevent another from calling 911, and the severity of the charge is determined by the level of intent, the consequences of the interference, and the defendant’s criminal history.
When It’s Charged as a Class B Misdemeanor
Often, an offense under this section begins as a class b misdemeanor, meaning the defendant faces potential jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
A person commits an offense if they interfere with an emergency communication line, particularly where the interference did not cause injury or was resolved quickly.
A section is a class designation means the legislature set the baseline penalty. But Texas law also allows upgrades.
When Does It Become a State Jail Felony?
Felony Enhancement for Prior Convictions
A key factor in felony prosecution is prior criminal history. The offense can be enhanced to a state jail felony if the person has previously been convicted of interfering with an emergency call or a similar offense.
Texas law explicitly permits enhancement when the person has previously been convicted under the same section or under related statutes.
That means:
- A first offense may be charged as a misdemeanor
- A repeat offense may be charged as a state jail felony
A person commits an offense if the person repeats the conduct after already being convicted, and prosecutors often argue that the repeat behavior shows disregard for public safety and emergency response systems.
Felony-Level Harm and Risk
Felony treatment is also more likely if interference causes or contributes to:
- bodily injury
- serious bodily injury
- heightened risk to ill or injured persons
- delayed emergency medical response
- delayed law enforcement response
- increased threat of violence
- a situation of imminent danger
If a person commits an offense and the interference results in serious escalation—such as preventing a victim from calling for help during domestic violence—the prosecution may pursue the harshest available penalty.
Why Other Texas Codes Matter
While the Texas Penal Code is the main legal source, other codes intersect with emergency communication and emergency response duties. Interference may also disrupt officials enforcing public health regulations and implementing safety measures.
Health and Safety Code / Safety Code
The health and safety code and safety code matter because they govern aspects of emergency response, emergency medical services regulation, and public health enforcement.
Emergency response often involves professionals licensed or regulated under these codes, including EMS providers and medical facilities. A person commits an offense when they obstruct emergency communication that would trigger care and help regulated under the health and safety code.
The safety code is also relevant because interference can impact safety operations and standards, including emergency response protocols, public health requirements, and policies for injured individuals.
Occupations Code
The occupations code may become relevant when emergency personnel are licensed professionals whose duties include responding to emergency calls, providing care, or operating within regulated roles. A person commits an offense if they interfere with communications that would trigger actions by regulated professionals.
Transportation Code / Motor Vehicle Context
Interference issues can also arise when a person operating a motor vehicle is prevented from making an emergency call. For example, if someone is operating a motor vehicle, causes a crash, and then prevents a passenger or victim from making a telephone call to 911, the transportation code may become part of the case background.
The transportation code is often relevant when emergency calls involve motor vehicle crashes, roadway hazards, impaired driving, or reckless conduct.
Even outside 911 interference, traffic statutes like the 545.351 law in Texas can connect to emergencies.
Agriculture Code / Water Code
While less common, the agriculture code and water code sometimes intersect with public safety emergencies—such as hazardous materials, livestock incidents, flooding, or public resource issues involving enforcement and emergency response. In rare cases, interference with communications could affect agency response tied to these codes.
The Role of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
Emergency communications trigger action. When a person blocks a 911 call, the effect reaches far beyond the immediate victim—it affects every part of the emergency chain. Interference may also impact emergency response at a particular site, such as the scene of an accident or incident.
Law Enforcement Agency and Other Agency Responses
A law enforcement agency relies on emergency calls to initiate dispatch, investigations, and protective actions. Delays can lead to injury, escape, evidence destruction, or repeat violence.
Often, multiple agencies respond—EMS, fire, sheriff, police, and other agency units depending on the situation. That coordination depends on uninterrupted communications.
Emergency Medical Services and Medical Facility Response
When a call is made, dispatchers may send responders who provide emergency medical services. If the call is blocked, that delays care for ill or injured persons, potentially worsening injury and leading to long-term outcomes.
Emergency medical systems also involve coordination with a medical facility, which may need to prepare for patient arrival, trauma care, or emergency stabilization.
Legal Consequences
Criminal Penalties
The penalties for interfering with emergency communications vary depending on whether the charge is a misdemeanor or felony.
Class B Misdemeanor
- Up to 180 days in county jail
- Fines up to $2,000
- Probation conditions
- Community supervision
- Criminal record consequences
Class A Misdemeanor
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Fines up to $4,000
- More aggressive probation conditions
- Possible protective orders
- Higher risk of jail time
State Jail Felony
- 180 days to 2 years in state jail
- Fines up to $10,000
- Long-term felony consequences
- Loss of certain rights
- Restrictions on employment and housing
Because a person commits an offense that impacts public safety, prosecutors often push for harsh penalties—even on first offenses.
Related Charges May Apply
Interfering with a 911 call can lead to additional charges, including:
- assault
- family violence enhancements
- harassment
- disorderly conduct
- obstructing governmental operation
- governmental operation interference
- retaliation
- tampering with evidence
- jail security concerns if the defendant is in custody
In some cases, interference triggers other statutes in the public administration chapter, especially if a person obstructs public duties.
Defense Strategies
Being charged does not mean the defendant will be convicted. A strong defense can challenge intent, proof, and causation. A defense may also exist if the person was acting under authority imposed or granted by law.
Defense to Prosecution: Lack of Intent
A major defense is demonstrating the accused did not intentionally interfere. The law often requires proof that the defendant knowingly prevented the call.
A defense to prosecution may exist if:
- the defendant did not realize the person was calling 911
- the defendant believed the call was not an emergency
- the phone was damaged accidentally
- the interference alleged consisted of conduct that was not intentional
- the state cannot prove the defendant acted knowingly
A person commits an offense only if the required intent is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Exercising Authority Imposed by Law
In rare situations, a person may claim they were exercising authority imposed by law. This can arise in limited contexts where a person has a legal duty, such as:
- a corrections context involving a corrections officer
- official duties connected to law enforcement corrections prison operations
- enforcing restrictions in a secure environment
- situations involving lawful seizure of contraband devices
However, this is complicated, and a defendant will need a clear argument that their actions were tied to lawful authority and not obstruction.
Device and Communication-Based Defenses
Some cases involve confusion about how the call was placed or what device was used. A defendant may argue that:
- the device was not used for an emergency call
- the call did not connect
- the person transmitting was not actually contacting 911
- the telephone call did not qualify as an emergency call under the statute
- the device was not capable of emergency access
- the call was placed through a citizen’s band radio channel or other frequency rather than a telephone
In those cases, issues may arise involving the federal communications commission, especially when disputes involve radio frequencies.
Evidence-Based Defenses
A defense attorney may challenge the state’s evidence, including:
- body camera footage
- witness statements
- 911 logs
- phone records
- dispatcher testimony
- whether the alleged interference prevented the call
- whether the call was actually an emergency
- whether the state can prove the person knowingly interfered
A defendant should consider every piece of evidence presented and whether it supports the elements required for conviction.
How Public Duties Are Affected
A central concept in interference cases is that they do not only harm a victim—they interfere with public systems. Texas law is protective of public duties, which include law enforcement response, emergency medical response, public health response, and broader emergency systems.
Emergency response includes the duties of:
- peace officer personnel
- fire fighter personnel
- EMS personnel
- dispatchers
- investigators
- public administrators
- public health enforcement staff
Interference disrupts the ability of those professionals to fulfill their public duties. Such interference specifically obstructs individuals who are performing a duty or exercising authority granted by law.
This is one reason prosecutors often treat these cases seriously: they involve disruption of public administration and governmental operation.
Section 42.074 of the Texas Penal Code: Why It Matters
You asked: What is Section 42.074 of the Texas Penal Code?
Section 42.074 relates to interference with certain emergency communications and often connects to misuse of emergency lines, false reporting, or interference with response systems. While not identical to 911 interference statutes, it is part of Texas’s broader framework of protecting emergency operations from abuse or disruption.
Because different cases involve different types of emergency communications (telephone calls, radio frequency transmissions, or dispatch systems), multiple statutes can apply depending on the facts. Certain defenses or exceptions may also apply under Subtitle C of the Transportation Code.
The 545.351 Law in Texas: How It Relates
You also asked: What is the 545.351 law in Texas?
Texas Transportation Code § 545.351 is a speed law requiring drivers to control speed based on conditions and safety. It’s often cited in crash investigations and roadway emergencies. If a crash occurs and someone blocks a 911 call while the vehicle occupants are injured or threatened, prosecutors may look at both the traffic violation and the interference as part of the incident.
This is why the transportation code can be relevant when interference occurs in a motor vehicle context.
What Happens When You Interfere with a 911 Call?
A person who interferes with a 911 call may face:
- arrest
- criminal charges
- jail time
- probation
- fines
- protective orders (especially where a family member is involved)
- long-term consequences for employment and housing
- enhanced penalties if the person has previously been convicted
Legal protections may also extend to emergency contact information, and unauthorized dissemination of such information may be considered an additional offense.
In serious cases where injury results, prosecutors may argue the interference created imminent danger, prolonged assault, or worsened injuries to ill or injured persons.
FAQs: Common Questions About Interference Crimes in Texas
What is interference with an emergency call in Texas?
It is a criminal offense where a person knowingly blocks, prevents, or disables a telephone call or emergency call intended for 911 or another law enforcement agency.
What type of charge is interfering with a 911 call?
It can be a Class B misdemeanor, Class A misdemeanor, or state jail felony depending on intent, harm, and whether the person has previously been convicted.
What happens when you interfere with a 911 call?
You may be arrested, charged, and face jail time, fines, probation, and possibly felony consequences if enhanced.
What is an interference charge in Texas?
Interference charges can involve emergency calls, emergency frequencies, obstruction of governmental operation, or other conduct engaged in that disrupts public duties.
What is considered interference with child custody in Texas?
Interference with child custody is a separate offense involving withholding or taking a child in violation of custody orders, not directly related to emergency call interference.
Final Takeaway: Is Interfering with a 911 Call a Felony in Texas?
So, is interfering with a 911 call a felony in Texas? It can be—but it is not always.
The offense often begins as a misdemeanor. However, it may be enhanced to a state jail felony if the person has previously been convicted or if the circumstances suggest severe risk or harm. Notably, recent changes to the law that took effect on September 1 expanded protections and clarified provisions, including situations where an actor intentionally disseminated sensitive information, such as a peace officer’s home address or social security number, which may be relevant in interference cases. Because these cases involve public duties, law enforcement response, emergency medical services, and life-or-death situations, Texas prosecutors take them seriously.
If you are facing allegations that you interfered with an emergency call, the stakes can be high. The best approach is to evaluate whether a defense to prosecution exists, analyze the evidence, and ensure the state can prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.