DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICE

Deceptive business practice under Texas Penal Code § 32.42(d) covers the second group of practices listed in the statute, graded as Class A misdemeanors without regard to prior convictions. The State must prove the actor, in the course of business, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence committed a listed practice. The practices in this group include representing that a commodity or service is of a particular style, grade, or model when it is of another; advertising property or services with intent not to sell them as advertised, or with intent not to supply reasonably expectable public demand unless the advertisement discloses a limited quantity; and making a materially false or misleading statement in an advertisement for, or otherwise in connection with, the purchase or sale of property or services. The first group of practices, such as false weights and short-quantity sales, is graded separately under § 32.42(c).

Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.

Across 556 Texas bail settings for this charge (1 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $5,000 (middle half: $2,000 – $10,000). 5% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 17 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (101 records), the median was $3,000 and 11% got a personal bond.

Showing the 1 counties with the most records; use the selector for any county with at least 30. Per-charge bond settings on original magistrations, from Texas OCA bail reporting under SB 6. Bail is set case by case — these are statistics, not a prediction.

• DECEPT BUSIN PRACT W/PREV CONV/INTEN/KNOW/RECK § 32.42(c)(2)