SMUGGLING OF PERSONS
Smuggling of Persons in Texas: what bail is set at, how often a personal bond is granted, and what usually happens to the charge.
What “SMUGGLING OF PERSONS” means
Texas Penal Code § 20.05 defines smuggling of persons. The State must prove the person knowingly did one of three things: used a motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other means of conveyance to transport an individual with intent to conceal the individual from a peace officer or special investigator, or with intent to flee from a person the actor knew was a peace officer or special investigator attempting to lawfully arrest or detain the actor; encouraged or induced a person to enter or remain in the United States in violation of federal law by concealing, harboring, or shielding that person from detection; or assisted, guided, or directed two or more individuals to enter or remain on agricultural land without the effective consent of the land's owner. Subsection (b), cited in the court record, is the grading provision, listing aggravating circumstances that move the offense above its base level.
| Charged as | Possible confinement | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years in prison (TDCJ) | Fine up to $10,000 | Penal Code § 12.34 |
Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.
Bail for SMUGGLING OF PERSONS in Texas
Across 25,291 Texas bail settings for this charge (60 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $15,000 (middle half: $10,000 – $35,000). 11% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 961 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (5,971 records), the median was $20,000 and 4% got a personal bond.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Val Verde | 4,052 | $20,000 | $10,000 – $50,000 | 1% | 1% |
| Kinney | 2,678 | $10,000 | $10,000 – $10,000 | 81% | 0% |
| El Paso | 2,657 | $10,000 | $5,000 – $25,000 | 2% | 7% |
| Bexar | 2,256 | $50,000 | $10,000 – $100,000 | 0% | 0% |
| Travis | 1,303 | $10,000 | $10,000 – $10,000 | 2% | 2% |
Showing the 5 counties with the most records; use the selector for any county with at least 30. Per-charge bond settings on original magistrations, from Texas OCA bail reporting under SB 6. Bail is set case by case — these are statistics, not a prediction.
How real SMUGGLING OF PERSONS cases ended
Individual cases from the public court record, with the disposition and sentence text exactly as the clerk entered it. Every case is decided on its own facts.
Ended without a conviction
Deferred adjudication
Ended in a conviction
Related charges
- SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: PECUNIARY BENEFIT § 20.05(b)(1)(c)
- SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: UNDER 18 YOA § 20.05(b)(1)(b)
- SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: FLEEING § 20.05(b)(1)(e)
- SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: LIKELIHOOD SBI OR DEATH § 20.05(b)(1)(a)
- SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: FIREARM § 20.05(b)(1)(d)
Charged with SMUGGLING OF PERSONS?
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Find a Defense AttorneyBail data: Texas Office of Court Administration magistration reports (SB 6), Apr 2022 – Jun 2025. Court outcomes: county district and county clerk records. Statistics describe past cases and are not legal advice; every case is decided on its own facts.