Product Tampering

Whether because of a desire to get revenge or as a thoughtless prank, tampering with someone’s food or drink is a serious offense that can come with equally serious consequences. As a prank, this method of fooling someone and disguising future injury has been popularized through actions such as placing drugs or laxatives in someone’s dessert or meal or even spiking someone’s drink. While this may seem comical at the time, this kind of injury is precisely what the law aims to protect against with stringent punishments for consumer product tampering.

If you are facing tampering allegations, contact Austin criminal defense lawyer Ian Inglis by calling 512-472-1950 to talk about your defense options with an experienced legal professional today.

Penalties for Tampering

As the intention of a crime can dictate the severity of the punishment, the rationale behind any case of tampering can determine how strict the law is when it comes to penalties. Considering that tampering can range from a prank gone awry to attempted murder, the punishments vary as such:

• Conspiracy or threatening to tamper is considered a felony in the third degree
• The act of tampering is considered a felony in the second degree
• Tampering with a product and causing injury is considered a felony in the first degree

Tampering is taken extremely seriously in the criminal justice system, as felonies not only mar a permanent record, but can lead to fines or imprisonment. Felons may find themselves without the right to vote, finding work difficult in some states, and even facing regular monitoring from the government.

Contact Us

If you have been accused of tampering with a consumer product, it is important that you consult with an experienced defense lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Austin criminal defense attorney Ian Inglis at 512-472-1950 today to discuss your case.