SILENT ABUSIVE CALL/ELECTR COMM TO 911 SERVICE

Texas Penal Code § 42.061 addresses misuse of the 9-1-1 system. A person commits the offense by making a call to a 9-1-1 service, or requesting 9-1-1 service using an electronic communications device, when there is no emergency, and knowingly or intentionally remaining silent or making abusive or harassing statements to the answering-point employee. The statute also reaches a person who knowingly permits a telephone or other electronic communications device under the person's control to be used by another to commit the offense. '9-1-1 service' and 'electronic communications device' carry the meanings assigned by Chapter 771 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. The core elements are the absence of an actual emergency plus the knowing or intentional silence or abuse; a genuine emergency call is outside the statute. Subsection (d), cited in the court record, is the classification provision.

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

Across 1,711 Texas bail settings for this charge (15 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $2,000 (middle half: $1,000 – $3,500). 11% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 32 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (786 records), the median was $1,500 and 17% got a personal bond.

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.