In Texas, Duels Aren’t Just History; They’re Legal (Kind Of)

When things get heated and it seems like words have lost their utility, people often resort to one of two options. Walking away like a responsible adult or bringing out the hands for a knuckle shuffle. However, the problem with the second option is the fact that it can potentially get you into a slew of legal issues in many states in the US.

But it turns out that in good ol' Texas, you can actually legally settle things the old-fashioned way if you take the proper steps. Texas is actually one of two states in the US that Khave mutual combat laws.

Texas' Penal Code 22.06 allows for consensual combat as long as the conditions stated below are met.

Sec. 22.06. CONSENT AS DEFENSE TO ASSAULTIVE CONDUCT. (a) The victim's effective consent or the actor's reasonable belief that the victim consented to the actor's conduct is a defense to prosecution under Section 22.01 (Assault), 22.02 (Aggravated Assault), or 22.05 (Deadly Conduct) if:

(1) the conduct did not threaten or inflict serious bodily injury; or

(2) the victim knew the conduct was a risk of:

(A) his occupation;

(B) recognized medical treatment; or

(C) a scientific experiment conducted by recognized methods.

(b) The defense to prosecution provided by Subsection (a) is not available to a defendant who commits an offense described by Subsection (a) as a condition of the defendant's or the victim's initiation or continued membership in a criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01.

Although this means that you can legally get into a fight with another individual without facing penalty for the fight in and of itself, it does not mean that you are completely immune to any legal consequences. You could still potentially earn yourself a disorderly conduct charge if things get out of hand or a public intoxication charge if you are under the influence of alcohol.

So next time things get heated and you feel the absolute need to "settle things like men", be sure to check out all the legal boxes on your physical confrontation.