Is Verbal Abuse A Crime In Texas?

Well, generally, verbal abuse is not illegal. You can verbally abuse someone, and you probably aren’t committing a crime. We have the First Amendment, which guarantees the right of free speech. So, people can say things that are offensive and that’s generally not illegal. People can verbally abuse others and that’s generally not illegal.

Now, if that verbal abuse includes a threat of harm, then, that might be illegal. That might violate some other criminal statutes. If the verbal abuse also includes what we call fighting words then that might be enough to justify someone to respond physically. So, that might be a consideration on whether or not verbal abuse is illegal in Texas.

Sometimes certain gestures such as raising the middle finger to someone can be considered illegal because it’s such an offensive thing that it generally incites violence so that is considered illegal.

Summary

Verbal abuse is generally not considered criminal activity in Texas due to free speech. However, exceptions take place when it escalates to include threats of harm that could provoke a physical response from anyone. For instance, the utilization of “fighting words” and raising the middle finger are illegal if they incite violence. 

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