UNL USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT
Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument in Texas: what bail is set at, how often a personal bond is granted, and what usually happens to the charge.
What “UNL USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT” means
Texas Penal Code § 16.01 defines unlawful use of a criminal instrument or mechanical security device. This variant, § 16.01(a)(1), applies when a person possesses a criminal instrument or mechanical security device with the intent to use it in the commission of an offense. A criminal instrument is anything whose possession, manufacture, or sale is not otherwise illegal but that is specially designed, made, or adapted for use in committing an offense; a mechanical security device is one designed or manufactured for locksmith use in opening structures, vehicles, or other property. The State must prove both the specialized character of the item and the actor's intent to use it criminally — ordinary tools without criminal adaptation, or specialized items held without criminal purpose, fall outside the statute. Under § 16.01(c), this possession variant is classified one category lower than the offense the actor intended to commit.
Also appears on court records as:
| 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 USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT in Texas
Across 3,487 Texas bail settings for this charge (24 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $5,000 (middle half: $2,000 – $12,500). 6% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 125 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (273 records), the median was $4,000 and 13% got a personal bond.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 393 | $1,500 | $763 – $3,000 | 7% | 0% |
| Bexar | 295 | $5,500 | $3,000 – $12,125 | 4% | 11% |
| Travis | 292 | $5,000 | $3,000 – $8,000 | 16% | 3% |
| Fort Bend | 273 | $7,500 | $1,500 – $20,000 | 12% | 10% |
| Hays | 230 | $2,500 | $500 – $5,000 | 5% | 5% |
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 USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT 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
Related charges
Charged with UNL USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT?
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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.