What does unlawful restraint refer to under Texas law?

Unlawful restraint under Texas law specifically involves the act of restraining a person without legal permission. This means that an individual has restricted another person's freedom of movement against their will. The law recognizes that any form of restraint must have a legal justification; when it doesn’t, it constitutes unlawful restraint.

This definition is significant because it captures the essence of personal freedom and autonomy, which the law seeks to protect. Restraining someone without consent is illegal, regardless of whether the restraint occurred during the commission of a separate crime or involved physical assault. While kidnapping involves taking someone with the intent to hold them against their will, unlawful restraint can occur in a less severe context without the full elements of kidnapping. Thus, the focus is on the lack of legal authority to impose that restriction, distinguishing it as unlawful.