Texas Governor Greg Abbot this week signed House Bill 37 into action, which now makes stealing mail and packages a felony charge.
The bill will take effect on September 1st and it specifies that any letter, postcard, package, bag or other sealed item addressed to an individual is considered “mail.”
Any individual who steals a listed item that has not been received by the person it was addressed to will violate the new law.
However, be warned the punishment varies on how many items are stolen:
- First-degree felony if someone stole from more than 50 different people.
- Second-degree felony for stealing from 20 to 50 people different people.
- Third-degree felony for stealing from 10 to 20 different people.
- And a state felony for stealing from less than 10 different people.
Felons convicted could face anywhere between 180 days to 10 years in prison.
Additionally, a person convicted could receive a fine of $4,000 upwards to $10,000 or possibly more.
Online giant Amazon has thrown support for the bill fully backing it and said it will continue to push to pass similar bills in other states across the nation.
Photo via cbs46.com
