What does "criminal negligence" mean in Texas?

In Texas, "criminal negligence" is defined as the failure to be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that an individual's conduct will result in death or serious bodily injury. This definition underscores the idea that a person should have recognized the risk and its severity, but failed to do so. It is an objective standard, focusing on what a reasonable person would have understood under the circumstances.

This understanding is important because it emphasizes that criminal negligence does not require a person to intend to cause harm; rather, it captures a lapse in judgment where the individual disregards a significant risk. This aligns closely with the legal reasoning behind many negligence-related offenses, which necessitate a level of carelessness that exceeds ordinary negligence.

The other choices do not accurately encompass the legal definition of criminal negligence in Texas. Ignoring minor risks or failing to follow personal safety protocols does not equate to the substantial risk required for criminal negligence. Similarly, committing a crime without intent or knowledge describes concepts related to strict liability or unintentional offenses, rather than the specific standard of negligence under Texas law. Therefore, recognizing the substantial risk threshold is critical in identifying and understanding what constitutes criminal negligence in the context of Texas penal law.