Texas has recently upgraded the legal status and penalties for “jugging,” a crime involving following someone after they withdraw money from an ATM to rob them at a different location. Previously charged as robbery or burglary with relatively mild penalties, jugging will now be classified as a felony under House Bill 1902, effective September 1st. This change significantly increases potential punishments, which in Texas can be severe, including the death penalty in extreme cases.

However, legal experts like Austin attorney Sam Bassett express concerns about the law’s enforceability, noting the difficulty in proving intent to commit a crime solely based on following someone without direct interaction. The new law is part of a broader wave of legislative changes signed by Governor Greg Abbott, covering diverse issues from THC product sales to commercial drivers’ language requirements. The effectiveness and judicial acceptance of the jugging felony law remain to be seen after its implementation.