Harris County has no separate panhandling ordinance. Aggressive solicitation that involves threats, blocking pedestrians, or unwanted touching is prosecuted by Sheriff and constables under Texas Penal Code 22.01 assault and 22.07 terroristic threat statutes. Passive sign holding remains constitutionally protected speech.
Federal courts have struck panhandling bans citywide in Texas as content-based speech restrictions, so Harris County does not criminalize asking for money. Aggressive panhandling, where the solicitor blocks a sidewalk, follows after a refusal, makes threats, or touches the target, is charged under Texas Penal Code Section 22.01 assault by contact or threat or 22.07 terroristic threat. Solicitation in roadways is prosecuted under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.007 pedestrian-in-roadway. Harris County Sheriff deputies and constables also use county criminal trespass orders for repeat offenders on private parking lots. Houston has its own ordinance focused on roadway and ATM solicitation. County Behavioral Health Diversion Court connects defendants to housing and mental health services.
Assault by contact or threat under Section 22.01 is a Class C or A misdemeanor depending on facts, terroristic threat under 22.07 a Class B misdemeanor, and pedestrian-in-roadway citations under Transportation Code 552.007 a Class C with $200 maximum fine.
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