Texas Penal Code Practice 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Exam!

Coercion, as defined under Texas law, fundamentally involves the use of threats or intimidation to compel an individual to act against their will. This concept is built upon the idea that when someone is coerced, their freedom of choice is significantly undermined due to the fear of adverse consequences. Therefore, option B highlights that coercion seeks compliance through fear of threats, which aligns with the legal understanding of the term.

The other options do not accurately represent the nature of coercion in Texas law. Voluntary compliance through incentives suggests a more positive and voluntary interaction, which does not encompass the threatening aspect central to coercion. Compliance based on moral persuasion implies a reasoned approach that respects an individual's autonomy and moral beliefs, which is contrary to coercion's intent of overriding such beliefs through fear. Lastly, the idea of autonomous decision-making would directly contradict the essence of coercion, as coercion strips individuals of their ability to make free choices due to the influence of threats.