A Few Texas Zombie Laws

In case of a zombie apocalypse, it may be helpful to know afew laws concerning the dead (or undead). 

First of all, are those zombies really dead?  Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, aperson is dead when “there is irreversible cessation of the person’sspontaneous respiratory and circulatory functions.”  However, in the eyes of the law, a person istechnically living until pronounced dead by a medical professional.

Now what if these zombies attack you?  First, you may want to be wary of abusing thecorpse.  You can be charged with a ClassA Misdemeanor for damaging, dissecting, or treating a corpse in an offensivemanner.  The zombie’s family may alsohave a case against you for intentional infliction of emotional distress. 

How can you protect yourself from zombies?  You are justified in using deadly force ifyou reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect yourself fromunlawful deadly force.  You can also usedeadly force to protect a third person if it would be justified were you in thethird person’s shoes.  Booby traps arelegal, but are unlikely to be of any help during a zombie invasion.  Texas currently has no laws on huntingzombies.  However, you may want to brushup on the laws for open seasons and the provisions about hunting from roads orvehicles. 

What can I do before the zombie apocalypse occurs?  Get your affairs in order now by writing awill.  Also, it’s best to know the lawson carrying firearms.

See Emily D.Walterscheid, Texas Zombie Laws,Matthew Harris Law’s Blog, Oct. 28, 2013.