Charged With Interfering With a 911 Call in Houston?
This charge usually comes up alongside a family violence arrest. If someone says you took their phone, knocked it away, or kept them from calling 911, prosecutors may add a charge of interference with an emergency request for assistance under Texas Penal Code § 42.062.
What the State Has to Prove
The State must prove that you knowingly prevented or interfered with another person’s ability to call for emergency help from police, a medical facility, or another emergency service, while that person reasonably believed they or someone else were in danger of bodily injury.
Penalties
- Class A misdemeanor: up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
- State jail felony: if you have a prior conviction for the same offense, 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000.
Defending the Charge
These cases often come down to one person’s word against another’s, usually from a heated moment. Phone records, 911 logs, body camera footage, and witness statements can show whether a call was actually blocked, whether it went through, or whether the story changed later. If the family violence charge weakens, the interference charge often does too.
Talk to a Houston Defense Lawyer
Call (713) 222-1800 for a free consultation. See also: Domestic Violence / Family Assault.