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 addresses criminal instruments and mechanical security devices. The variant in § 16.01(a)(2) targets suppliers rather than possessors: a person commits an offense if, with knowledge of the item's character and with intent to use it, or to aid or permit another to use it, in the commission of an offense, the person manufactures, adapts, sells, installs, or sets up a criminal instrument or mechanical security device. A criminal instrument is anything not otherwise illegal to possess, make, or sell that is specially designed, made, or adapted for use in committing an offense; a mechanical security device is one designed for locksmith use in opening structures, vehicles, or other property. Unlike the possession variant in § 16.01(a)(1), which is classified one category below the intended offense, this manufacturing and distribution variant is a state jail felony under § 16.01(c) regardless of the offense intended.
| Charged as | Share of bail records | Possible confinement | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State jail felony | 100% | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail | Fine up to $10,000 | Penal Code § 12.35 |
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 1,735 Texas bail settings for this charge (13 counties, Apr 2022 – Jun 2025), the median cash or surety bond was $7,500 (middle half: $3,500 – $17,625). 6% of defendants were released on a personal bond, and bail was denied in 78 cases. When this was the only charge at booking (164 records), the median was $10,000 and 17% got a personal bond.
| County | Records | Median cash bail | Middle half | Personal bond | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis | 204 | $7,500 | $5,000 – $10,000 | 12% | 8% |
| Cameron | 172 | $15,000 | $8,000 – $25,000 | 2% | 0% |
| Fort Bend | 152 | $5,000 | $2,500 – $20,000 | 16% | 4% |
| Bexar | 149 | $6,000 | $3,000 – $10,000 | 0% | 8% |
| Tarrant | 135 | $2,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 | 6% | 12% |
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.
Recent UNL USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT cases
| Case | County | Filed | Disposed | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-0513-382-F | Rockwall | Mar 27, 2024 | Oct 7, 2024 | Dismissed by the prosecutor |
| 24-0514-382-F | Rockwall | Mar 27, 2024 | Oct 3, 2024 | Guilty or no-contest plea |
| 21-02-02162 | Montgomery | Feb 11, 2021 | Oct 19, 2023 | Dismissed by the prosecutor |
| F-23-00020 | Dallas | Jan 20, 2023 | Aug 16, 2023 | Dismissed by the prosecutor |
| F-23-52770 | Dallas | Apr 12, 2023 | May 17, 2023 | Guilty or no-contest plea |
| F-22-00654 | Dallas | Nov 21, 2022 | Jan 25, 2023 | Guilty or no-contest plea |
| F-22-00656 | Dallas | Nov 21, 2022 | Jan 25, 2023 | Guilty or no-contest plea |
| F-17-45694 | Dallas | Feb 16, 2018 | Nov 16, 2022 | Guilty or no-contest plea |
Related charges
- UNL USE OF CRIMINAL INSTRUMENT § 16.01(a)(1)
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.