UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICETexas Penal Code (PC) § 16.06

“UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE” stands for Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device, a Class A misdemeanor under Texas PC § 16.06.

Texas Penal Code § 16.06 defines unlawful installation of a tracking device. A person commits the offense by knowingly installing an electronic or mechanical tracking device on a motor vehicle owned or leased by another person. A tracking device is one capable of emitting an electronic frequency or other signal that may be used to identify, monitor, or record the location of a person or object. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor. The culpable mental state attaches to the act of installation on someone else's vehicle; the statute targets placing the device, not the later monitoring. Affirmative defenses cover a person who first obtained the effective consent of the vehicle's owner or lessee, a person assisting someone reasonably believed to be a peace officer, and a licensed private investigator acting with written consent or court authorization. Peace officers installing devices for law enforcement purposes are excluded.

47% ended without a conviction, 39% in deferred adjudication and 14% in a conviction.

How 72 resolved UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE charges filed 2019–2023 ended, across 12 counties (Brazoria, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, FortBend, Galveston, Hays, Montgomery, Rockwall, Travis, Williamson):

Outcome is the final disposition recorded on the charge. “Other” (0) 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.

Typically about 10 months: half of resolved cases closed within 292 days of filing.

Across 72 resolved UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE charges filed 2019–2023, the median time from filing to disposition was 292 days. The middle half took between 154 and 506 days.

Time depends on the county's docket, whether the case is set for trial, and plea negotiations.

Up to 1 year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000.

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

The median bail is $4,500, and 7% of defendants were released on a personal bond.

Across 530 Texas bail settings for this charge (5 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $4,500 (middle half: $2,100 – $7,500). 7% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 8 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (224 records), the median was $3,500 and 11% 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.