What penalty does "Harboring a runaway child" fall under?

In Texas, the offense of "Harboring a runaway child" is categorized as a Class A misdemeanor. This classification means that if a person is found guilty of this offense, they could face penalties that include a fine of up to $4,000, confinement in jail for up to one year, or both.

This classification reflects the law's intention to prioritize the welfare of minors while also holding individuals accountable for knowingly providing shelter or assistance to a child who has run away from home or is absent from school without parental consent. It's important to recognize that the law seeks to discourage behavior that might encourage children to flee potentially dangerous or unstable situations.

Other classifications, such as Class B misdemeanor or higher felonies, pertain to different types of offenses with varying degrees of severity and potential penalties. Class B misdemeanors carry lighter sentences, while felony charges typically involve more serious crimes with harsher penalties, none of which are applicable to the specific act of harboring a runaway child.