TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERSTexas Penal Code (PC) § 31.11(a)
“TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS” stands for Tamper with Identification Numbers, a Class A misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code (PC) § 31.11(a). It is punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000.
Below: how these cases end in Texas courts, how long they take, and the punishment.
What does “TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS” mean?
“TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS” stands for Tamper with Identification Numbers, a Class A misdemeanor under Texas PC § 31.11(a).
Texas Penal Code § 31.11 defines tampering with identification numbers. The State must prove one of two forms of conduct: that the defendant knowingly or intentionally removed, altered, or obliterated the serial number or other permanent identification marking on tangible personal property; or that the defendant possessed, sold, or offered for sale tangible personal property knowing that its serial number or other permanent identification marking had been removed, altered, or obliterated. The statute covers manufacturer serial numbers and other permanent identifying marks on items of personal property such as firearms, tools, electronics, and equipment. For the possession-or-sale form, the State must prove actual knowledge that the marking had been removed or altered; mere possession of property with a missing number, standing alone, does not establish the offense without that knowledge. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
What usually happens to a TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS charge?
56% ended without a conviction, 8% in deferred adjudication and 35% in a conviction.
How 95 resolved TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS charges filed 2019–2023 ended, across 12 counties (Bastrop, Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, FortBend, Galveston, Hays, Rockwall, Travis, Williamson):
Outcome is the final disposition recorded on the charge. “Other” (1) covers waived counts, bond forfeitures, transfers and unrecorded outcomes. Bexar County records disposition dates but not outcomes, so it counts toward time-to-disposition only. Tarrant County criminal records are not in this dataset.
How long does a TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS case take to resolve?
Typically about 7 months: half of resolved cases closed within 219 days of filing.
Across 95 resolved TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS charges filed 2019–2023, the median time from filing to disposition was 219 days. The middle half took between 110 and 412 days.
Time depends on the county's docket, whether the case is set for trial, and plea negotiations.
How did real TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS cases end?
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
What is the punishment for Tamper with Identification Numbers in Texas?
Up to 1 year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000.
| Charged as | Possible confinement | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail | Fine up to $4,000 | Penal Code § 12.21 |
Ranges are the statutory maximums for the level; enhancements, prior convictions and plea agreements change what is actually imposed.
How much is bail for TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS in Texas?
The median bail is $3,500, and 7% of defendants were released on a personal bond.
Across 2,667 Texas bail settings for this charge (22 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $3,500 (middle half: $2,000 – $8,000). 7% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 58 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (213 records), the median was $2,500 and 16% got a personal bond.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 224 | $1,500 | $1,000 – $4,000 | 13% | 4% |
| Bexar | 189 | $3,500 | $2,000 – $6,700 | 7% | 4% |
| Dallas | 148 | $2,500 | $1,500 – $5,000 | 3% | 3% |
| Lubbock | 118 | $2,750 | $2,000 – $5,000 | 0% | 0% |
| Nueces | 117 | $1,500 | $500 – $5,000 | 0% | 0% |
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.
Charged with TAMPER W/ IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS?
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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.