Interference with an Emergency Telephone Call

Trying to Prevent a 911 Call Is Illegal

Interfering with a 911 phone call is a very serious matter in the state of Texas. If someone is trying to call the police, such as to complain of family violence, it is against the law to prevent him or her from doing so. At the Law Office of John L. Venza Jr., I am a former criminal prosecutor and have the unique knowledge required to protect your rights in the courtroom. If you have been accused of attempting to prevent another person from calling the police for reasons of domestic violence or for any other cause, do not hesitate to contact me for a confidential consultation to discuss the situation.

Penalties

Interference with an emergency telephone call can include knowingly preventing another from placing a call to the police or destroying a telephone that someone may have used to place an emergency call.

In addition to the penalties included in your sentence, you would end up with a criminal record that could follow you for years and make it difficult - or impossible - to find suitable employment.

Defending You Against Family Violence Charges

Claims of interference with an emergency phone call can be made when a person who feels threatened and attempts to make a 911 call is also made to feel that another person is doing something to prevent him or her from contacting emergency services. There are many things the prosecution must prove in order to successfully bring this charge against you. The D.A. must demonstrate that you were uttering threats, such as threatening to cause physical harm or to otherwise place the alleged victim in danger. My goal in fighting charges of this type is to find weaknesses in the prosecutor's case, such as by challenging the credibility of the victim or arguing that there is insufficient evidence to prove your guilt.