Most of us in Texas and beyond have considered how cool it would be to have a huge street sign hanging on our walls or man caves. But taking these shiny signs could get you a trip to ticket town.
Is Taking A Texas Sign Illegal?
The short answer is yes. A longer answer is also yes but the consequences are stiffer than you might think.
These signs are not just fancy road decor, they help drivers from crashing into each other and alert you to specific road hazards. So, it’s safe to say taking one will make that wallet a little lighter.
The Punishment
According to the Texas Department of Transportation taking or damaging a sign could get you a misdemeanor or even a felony. If removing the sign causes an accident, you could face serious criminal charges.
It is a Class C misdemeanor if the damage is less than $100; a Class B misdemeanor if the damage is between $100 and $750; and a Class A misdemeanor if the damage is between $750 and $2500.
The Class A crime is punishable by up to $4,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. If the damage is between $2,500 and $20,000, the crime is a state jail felony and is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and between 180 days and two years in state jail.
What If I Find The Sign?
With the recent storms in Texas that caused seriously high winds, several street signs were blown over. Easy pickings, right?
No. If you see a sign that has been knocked over or damaged, you are asked to report it to the authorities.
Otherwise, you could get charged with possession of stolen property as you try to explain to a cop how that Stop sign ended up in your man cave.
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