OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATIONTexas Penal Code (PC) § 36.06(c)
Obstruction or Retaliation is a third-degree felony under Texas Penal Code (PC) § 36.06(c). It is punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Below: how these cases end in Texas courts, how long they take, and the punishment.
What does “OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION” mean?
Obstruction or Retaliation is a third-degree felony under Texas PC § 36.06(c).
Obstruction or retaliation under Texas Penal Code § 36.06 requires proof that a person intentionally or knowingly harmed or threatened to harm another by an unlawful act, either in retaliation for or on account of another person's service or status as a public servant, witness, prospective witness, or informant, or as a person who has reported or whom the actor knows intends to report the occurrence of a crime, or to prevent or delay another person's service in one of those capacities. The harm or threat must be linked to the protected role, not merely directed at the individual. Subsection (c) classifies the offense as a third-degree felony, rising to a second-degree felony when the victim was targeted for service as a juror or when the conduct results in bodily injury to a public servant or a member of a public servant's family or household.
What usually happens to a OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION charge?
69% ended without a conviction, 10% in deferred adjudication and 19% in a conviction.
How 2,646 resolved OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION charges filed 2019–2023 ended, across 15 counties (Bastrop, Bell, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, FortBend, Galveston, Harris, Hays, Montgomery, Rockwall, Travis, Williamson):
| County | Resolved | Not convicted | Deferred | Convicted | Median days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | 1,934 | 80% | 6% | 11% | 266 |
| Collin | 182 | 24% | 36% | 40% | 168 |
| Hays | 145 | 41% | 18% | 41% | 300 |
| Galveston | 105 | 29% | 12% | 59% | 301 |
Outcome is the final disposition recorded on the charge. “Other” (57) covers waived counts, bond forfeitures, transfers and unrecorded outcomes. Bexar County records disposition dates but not outcomes, so it counts toward time-to-disposition only. Tarrant County criminal records are not in this dataset.
How long does a OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION case take to resolve?
Typically about 9 months: half of resolved cases closed within 260 days of filing.
Across 2,646 resolved OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION charges filed 2019–2023, the median time from filing to disposition was 260 days. The middle half took between 129 and 444 days.
Time depends on the county's docket, whether the case is set for trial, and plea negotiations.
How did real OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION cases end?
Individual cases from the public court record, with the disposition and sentence text exactly as the clerk entered it. Every case is decided on its own facts.
Ended without a conviction
Deferred adjudication
Ended in a conviction
What is the punishment for Obstruction or Retaliation in Texas?
2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
| Charged as | Possible confinement | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years in prison (TDCJ) | Fine up to $10,000 | Penal Code § 12.34 |
Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.
How much is bail for OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION in Texas?
The median bail is $10,000, and 5% of defendants were released on a personal bond.
Across 14,690 Texas bail settings for this charge (68 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $10,000 (middle half: $3,500 – $20,000). 5% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 873 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (3,055 records), the median was $10,000 and 17% got a personal bond.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 1,487 | $3,000 | $1,500 – $7,500 | 0% | 5% |
| Harris | 1,334 | $10,000 | $7,500 – $20,000 | 36% | 1% |
| Bexar | 1,328 | $10,000 | $5,000 – $20,000 | 1% | 10% |
| Dallas | 920 | $15,000 | $5,000 – $25,000 | 0% | 5% |
| Travis | 691 | $7,500 | $4,000 – $10,000 | 14% | 6% |
Showing the 5 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.
Charged with OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION?
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Find a Defense AttorneyBail data: Texas Office of Court Administration magistration reports (SB 6), Apr 2022 – Jun 2025. Court outcomes: county district and county clerk records. Statistics describe past cases and are not legal advice; every case is decided on its own facts.