Is voluntary intoxication a valid defense in a prosecution according to Texas Penal Code?

In Texas, voluntary intoxication is not a valid defense for prosecution under the Penal Code. The law specifically states that a person’s voluntary intoxication cannot be used to excuse or reduce criminal liability. This principle is rooted in the idea that individuals are responsible for their actions, even if impaired by substances of their own choosing.

Under Texas law, if an individual chooses to consume drugs or alcohol, they must accept the consequences of their actions, even while intoxicated. This reflects a legal perspective aimed at promoting personal responsibility and accountability, discouraging the use of intoxication as a means to evade the legal repercussions of one’s conduct.

While there are situations where mental states and intent are relevant for certain defenses, voluntary intoxication is explicitly excluded from being a basis for defense. Other options, such as the idea that it might depend on circumstances or only applies to certain crimes, do not align with the clear statutory language that disallows voluntary intoxication as a defense in Texas.