SMUGGLING OF PERSONS: LIKELIHOOD SBI OR DEATH

Texas Penal Code § 20.05 defines smuggling of persons: knowingly using 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 to flee from an officer attempting a lawful arrest or detention; knowingly encouraging or inducing 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 knowingly assisting, guiding, or directing two or more individuals to enter or remain on agricultural land without the owner's effective consent. This charge, under § 20.05(b)(1)(A), is the second-degree felony variant alleging the offense was committed in a manner that created a substantial likelihood that the smuggled individual would suffer serious bodily injury (the court-record abbreviation SBI) or death, such as transport in dangerous, life-threatening conditions.

Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.

Across 1,350 Texas bail settings for this charge (12 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $20,000 (middle half: $10,000 – $50,000). 2% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 62 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (129 records), the median was $40,000 and 1% got a personal bond.

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.

• 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: FIREARM § 20.05(b)(1)(d)