The unlawful installation of GPS tracking devices is an offense in Texas intended to prevent individuals from monitoring the movements of another person’s vehicle without the owner’s consent or knowledge. If you have been charged with illegally using a GPS tracker, you may be facing serious legal penalties. To get help building your defense case, contact criminal defense lawyer Sophia C. Martinez today.
Former Assistant District Attorney Sophia C. Martinez uses her over 25 years of experience to help clients who have been charged with the criminal use of a GPS tracking device in Texas. Sophia C. Martinez will protect your rights and interests and can help you build a strong defense case with the hopes of having the charges against you reduced or dropped altogether.
What is Texas’ Law Concerning the Use of GPS Trackers?
Texas law defines the offense of Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device in Penal Code Section §16.06 as a person who commits an offense if the person knowingly installs an electronic or mechanical tracking device on a motor vehicle owned or leased by another person. If you do not have the vehicle owner’s consent to install a tracking device on their car, you must obtain a court order or court authorization to install the GPS tracking device.
If you are a police officer, you may install a GPS tracking device in the course of a criminal investigation. However, installing a GPS tracker without a court order, regardless of the criminal investigation underway, may be considered a violation of the individual’s Constitutional rights.
Legal Penalties for Criminally Using a GPS Tracker on Someone’s Vehicle
If you have been charged with the criminal installation of a GPS tracking device, you may be facing serious legal repercussions. When a person is charged with Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device, the crime may be punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor.
A Class A Misdemeanor may incur sentencing like time in county jail for up to one year and a fine of up to $4,000. When you hire a criminal attorney, they will try to obtain the lowest sentence possible by helping you build a strong defense for your case.
What Are Possible Defense Strategies For Criminally Using a GPS Tracker?
When you work with Former Assistant District Attorney Sophia Martinez after you have been accused of criminally using a GPS tracker, there are several possible defense strategies that may be beneficial to your case. Some common defense strategies for Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device include the following:
- You had the consent of the owner of the motor vehicle before the GPS tracking device was installed.
- You assisted another whom you reasonably believed to be a law enforcement officer with proper authorization to install the device and were deceived.
- The individual that installed the device is a licensed private investigator and has authorization from a court or written consent to install the device from the owner or lessee of the vehicle. This scenario can be applicable if someone is attempting to track a child’s vehicle or a spouse’s vehicle.
To begin the process of building a strong defense for your case, contact a trusted criminal defense lawyer like Attorney Sophia Martinez as soon as possible.
Contact Sophia Martinez Law After You Have Been Charged With the Criminal Use of a GPS Tracker
If you have been accused of the criminal use of a GPS tracking device, you may be facing serious repercussions if you are convicted. To get help avoiding possible consequences in regards to the crime, contact Former Assistant District Attorney Sophia C. Martinez.
With over 25 years of experience supporting the accused after they have been charged with a crime in Texas, Sophia Martinez Law will take the necessary steps to ensure your rights and interests are protected by helping you build a strong claim. To schedule a free evaluation with Attorney Sophia C. Martinez, contact her Texas office today by completing a contact form or calling (210) 226-3000. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She also speaks Spanish.