Jugging To Become A Full On Felony In Texas

Be sure you read that right ... jogging is not a crime in Texas. Jugging, with a "u", is though and its status, along with the severity of its penalty,  was just upgraded.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has, to date, signed 1,155 or so new laws into effect. They run the gamut covering everything from THC product sales in Texas to property taxes to booze sales.

Thanks to a new federal law, commercial drivers in Texas must now speak English. Another new law in Texas, House bill 1902, has to do with "jugging".

"Jugging" is the practice of following someone who has made a withdrawal from an ATM machine to a different location where they can rob them. At the moment, jugging gets crooks a charge of either robbery or burglary and a, (relatively), mild penalty.

The state wants to make it a felony which really ramps up the punishment. Depending on a variety of factors, felonies in Texas can even result in the death penalty. The new law kicks in September 1st but some attorneys don't think it will hold up in court.

READ MORE: Texas Kids Break This Law A Lot

Austin attorney Sam Bassett says the new legislation is necessary but may face challenges in the courtroom.

"The prosecution of merely following somebody from an ATM is going to be a little tricky, because how do you prove that they were following them for the purpose of committing a crime. If they don't come near them or if they don't actually communicate with them," says Bassett. - fox7austin

 Hmmm, guess we'll see sometime after September 1st ...