UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE
Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device in Texas: what bail is set at, how often a personal bond is granted, and what usually happens to the charge.
What “UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE” means
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.
| 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.
Bail for UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE in Texas
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.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 91 | $2,500 | $1,000 – $5,000 | 2% | 1% |
| Travis | 46 | $5,000 | $5,000 – $5,000 | 20% | 4% |
| Bexar | 38 | $5,000 | $3,000 – $10,000 | 8% | 0% |
| Collin | 36 | $5,000 | $3,000 – $10,000 | 0% | 0% |
| Denton | 33 | $4,000 | $2,500 – $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.
How real UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE 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
Charged with UNL INSTALLATION OF TRACKING DEVICE?
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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.