SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: FIREARM
Smuggling of PERSONS: Firearm 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: FIREARM” means
This charge is the firearm-aggravated grade of smuggling of persons. The base offense, Texas Penal Code § 20.05(a), requires proof that a person knowingly transported an individual by motor vehicle or other conveyance with intent to conceal the individual from, or to flee from, a peace officer or special investigator; encouraged or induced a person to enter or remain in the country in violation of federal law by concealing, harboring, or shielding the person from detection; or assisted, guided, or directed two or more individuals onto agricultural land without the owner's effective consent. Texas Penal Code § 20.05(b)(1)(D) elevates the grade of the offense when the State additionally proves that, during the commission of the offense, the actor, another party to the offense, or an individual the actor was assisting, guiding, or directing knowingly possessed a firearm. The firearm allegation distinguishes this grade from the base offense.
| Charged as | Share of bail records | Possible confinement | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second-degree felony | 100% | 2 to 20 years in prison (TDCJ) | Fine up to $10,000 | Penal Code § 12.33 |
Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.
Bail for SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: FIREARM in Texas
Across 1,181 Texas bail settings for this charge (5 counties, Apr 2022 – May 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $20,000 (middle half: $10,000 – $35,000). 10% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 8 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (231 records), the median was $35,000 and 7% got a personal bond.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinney | 533 | $20,000 | $10,000 – $20,000 | 18% | 0% |
| Val Verde | 363 | $30,000 | $20,000 – $75,000 | 1% | 0% |
| Uvalde | 66 | $5,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | 12% | 2% |
| Edwards | 48 | $35,000 | $35,000 – $35,000 | 0% | 0% |
| Kerr | 42 | $25,000 | $10,000 – $25,000 | 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.
Recent SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: FIREARM cases
| Case | County | Filed | Disposed | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR2022-502 | Comal | Dec 7, 2022 | Dec 14, 2022 | Guilty or no-contest plea |
Related charges
- SMUGGLING OF PERSONS § 20.05(b)
- 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)
Charged with SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: FIREARM?
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Find a Defense AttorneyBail data: Texas Office of Court Administration magistration reports (SB 6), Apr 2022 – May 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.