Just So Everybody Knows, You Must Report Dead Bodies In Texas

Forget "Weekend At Bernie's" - if you find a dead body in Texas; don't take it on vacation; tell the cops. Otherwise, you're in trouble.

You wouldn't think you'd have to tell anybody this but, not reporting a dead body in Texas is a crime. Even if you're the one that killed the person, it seems, you're still expected to report the body. Not doing so is one of the things a Texas man suspected of murder was recently charged with.

You don't get charged with what you would think you'd be charged with though, it has more to do with evidence procedure(s) than just leaving bodies laying around.

Reporting A Dead Body In Texas

Yes, from a strictly moral standpoint, you should totally report dead people. Getting to the body could provide evidence of a crime or crimes. It could also clear up a missing persons case and bring some closure to family members. It's just the right thing to do. Ok? Call 911, flag down a passing cop, whatever; just let the authorities know.

What If You Don't Report A Dead Body In Texas?

You, (probably), will be charged with a crime. The crime doesn't really have anything to do with the body though, what they'll hit you with is either evidence tampering or witness tampering. (Not that the corpse would have much to say about what happened.)

There could be evidence on or about the body though that points to the killer(s) which is where "witness" comes in, I guess. Texas law sees it this way:

It is interesting to note, however, that one variant of tampering is inaction (rather than actively tampering with the evidence at hand) – and this is where not reporting a dead body comes into play as a form of witness tampering. - brettpritchardlaw

READ MORE: No Bodies Found In This El Paso Cold Case - Just Parts

Texas doesn't allow evidence to be altered, hidden or destroyed and it doesn't allow false evidence. Failing to report a corpse is kind of ib a league of its own, classified as "evidence tampering".

The Penalty For Not Reporting A Dead Body In Texas

Texas takes evidence tampering, including failure to report a corpse, extremely seriously, and a conviction can carry hefty fines and penalties. A charge of failure to report a corpse typically results in either a Class A misdemeanor or a third-degree felony, and both of these can carry thousands of dollars in fines and time behind bars. -brettpritchardlaw

What If I See A Dead Body In Texas?

Don't touch it, don't mess with it, don't move it, don't poke it with a stick, don't go get your friends and take them on a hike/coming of age quest to show it to them; just call 911.

Long story short - If you see one, point it out.