CHAPTER 37. PERJURY AND OTHER FALSIFICATION

This chapter of the Texas Penal Code establishes the legal framework for crimes involving dishonesty toward the government and the justice system. It primarily defines the various levels of perjury, differentiating between standard false statements and aggravated perjury, which occurs when a material lie is told during an official proceeding. The statutes also criminalize the tampering with or fabrication of physical evidence and governmental records, ranging from court documents to school transcripts. Additionally, the text outlines consequences for impersonating public officials, falsely reporting missing persons, or misrepresenting items as law enforcement property. By specifying these violations, the code seeks to protect the integrity of public administration and ensure the accuracy of information used in legal and official matters.