I think you're addressing me, so, ..Yeah most likely you have no codes set because you have only one O2 sensor in 96?

 

Yes. It is a violation of federal law to remove a cat from a vehicle that originally had one. That said, one would have to be caught doing such a thing with sufficient evidence to prosecute in order for anything to happen. If the vehicle is not subject to ANY inspection, in theory one could get away with it.
The ability to pass a "visible cat" check is entirely dependent on the inspection station. The inspection station has to both check it and care to give you a hard time about it to fail a required inspection.

Here in MA you're exempt from emissions after 15 years (again probably due to the rust destroying the vast majority of older vehicles) but you do have to pass the safety check every year and get an inspection sticker.

Interestingly, I was pulled over out of state (in NH) recently for a taillight being out and the officer checked that my inspection sticker was valid (which it was) before proceeding to let me go with a verbal warning. She was actually pretty nice throughout the whole stop and helpful since I had no idea the light was out and I don't want some idiot hitting my XJ because of a bad taillight.

 

Back in the day some people would hollow out the converters so they had no back pressure and reinstalled them. (Some early cats used beads internally that could be emptied.) Probably anything that "looks like" a converter would pass a visual inspection even if it had nothing inside.

There are also hacks to simulate the proper output from a downstream O2 sensor that is throwing a code. Basically, an RC circuit is used to provide output acceptable to the computer, such as:

 

Well I have a 94 Cherokee with a 96 engine so I am not getting any codes...I mean it is OBIE DEE ONE Kanobi. I check my codes with a key sequence and a notepad. Anyway by no means am I someone who does not care about the environment.
I mean I am not a tree-huggin hippie but I do care. What I do know and where I live I am pretty sure I am one of the very few who has an older cherokee, let alone one without a Cat. So based on the law of numbers I consider my contribution to the environment beyond miniscule. Like a grain of sand on the beach. Everyone around here has yuppie everything....which probably shoots febreze out their mufflers. I feel like I have a piece of history...I mean it really gets your blood pumping when you rev the engine...you think a chevelle is doing it but is my jeep! And my mech is my best friend so he hooks me up. He is a good guy I am probably his only client without a cat. I suppose it is controversial....I mean my Dad was upset when he found out and I was like I have no more money left to spend on the jeep right now...and he said well when you have money you should get one...so I said ok maybe in like 2 years haha! Its crazy man just to hear that straight six roar like that is heaven to me. And so it shall be my brothers, nothing is changing on that end. I dunno if a vid would do it justice. I will think about it haha. Thanks for all the comments!

 

Not addressing anyone in particular. 95 was the end of obd1 which in CT is a visual check and a sniff test which I pass without a CAT. 96 was the beginning of obd2 which in CT is a visual check and a plug in readiness test...which I pass without a CAT, with a functional downstream 02 sensor......and a turbo.