Illumination of Aircraft by Intense Light

From the Law Office of Alison Grinter in Dallas, Texas

1 Degree
2 Statute(s)
3 Caselaw
4 Collateral Consequences
5 Notes

Degree

Illuminating an aircraft with a laser pointer is a Class C Misdemeanor unless it impairs the operator's ability to control the aircraft, in which case it is a Class A Misdemeanor

Statute(s)

Sec. 42.14. ILLUMINATION OF AIRCRAFT BY INTENSE LIGHT.

(a) A person commits an offense if:
(1) the person intentionally directs a light from a laser pointer or other light source at an aircraft; and
(2) the light has an intensity sufficient to impair the operator's ability to control the aircraft.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the actor was using the light to send an emergency distress signal.
(c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless the intensity of the light impairs the operator's ability to control the aircraft, in which event the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other law.
(e) In this section, "laser pointer" has the meaning assigned by Section 42.13.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 680, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.