Bexar County Criminal Records
What Is Bexar County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Bexar County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.082, criminal history record information includes arrests, prosecutions, and the disposition of criminal cases. These records are maintained by multiple agencies throughout Bexar County and the state of Texas.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
- Adult Records: Criminal records for individuals 17 years of age or older in Texas
- Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 17, which are generally sealed and subject to stricter confidentiality under Texas Family Code § 58.007
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal justice interactions
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Bexar County include:
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
200 N. Comal St.
San Antonio, TX 78207
210-335-6000
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
Bexar County District Clerk
Paul Elizondo Tower
101 W. Nueva St., Suite 217
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2113
Bexar County District Clerk
Texas Department of Public Safety - Crime Records Division
5805 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752
512-424-2000
Texas DPS Crime Records
Criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole information. The Bexar County Criminal Court Records system maintains comprehensive documentation of criminal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction.
Are Criminal Records Public In Bexar County
Criminal records in Bexar County are generally considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act, codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552. This statute establishes that "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." (§ 552.021)
The Texas Public Information Act defines public information as:
"Information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by a governmental body or for a governmental body and the governmental body owns the information or has a right of access to it."
Within Bexar County, the following criminal record information is typically accessible to the public:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and dockets
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain criminal records are restricted from public access, including:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order
- Information that would compromise law enforcement operations
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
The Central Records division of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office serves as a primary custodian for many criminal records in the county. Additionally, the Bexar County District Clerk maintains court records related to criminal proceedings.
It is important to note that while records may be public, requesters must follow established procedures to access them, and certain fees may apply for copies or certified documents as permitted under Texas law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Bexar County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Bexar County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
To conduct an in-person search for criminal records:
-
Visit the Bexar County District Clerk's Office located at the Paul Elizondo Tower, 101 W. Nueva St., Suite 217, San Antonio, TX 78205. Public terminals are available for searching court records during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
-
Request records from the Central Records division of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at 200 N. Comal St., San Antonio, TX 78207. This office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement documentation.
-
Submit a Public Information Request Form to the appropriate agency. The form is available on the Bexar County website and can be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically.
For criminal background checks that include state-level information:
-
Contact the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service to request a criminal history check. This can be done online through the Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) program.
-
Provide the required identifying information, which typically includes full name, date of birth, and other personal identifiers.
-
Pay the applicable fees as established by state law.
For specialized records:
-
Inmate information: Call the Bexar County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information Line at 210-335-6201, providing the individual's full name and date of birth.
-
Sex offender registry information: Search the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
-
Protective orders and family violence records: Contact the Bexar County Clerk's Office at 210-335-2216.
Requesters should be prepared to provide proper identification when seeking criminal records and may need to complete notarized authorization forms for third-party information requests.
How To Find Criminal Records in Bexar County Online?
Bexar County offers several online portals for accessing criminal records digitally. These resources provide convenient access to various types of criminal justice information without requiring an in-person visit to county offices.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Bexar County include:
-
Bexar County Criminal Court Records Search - This official portal allows users to search for criminal court cases by name, case number, or other identifiers. The system provides access to:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Charges and offense information
- Court appearance schedules
- Case status and disposition
- Attorney information
-
Bexar County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search - This database provides information on currently incarcerated individuals in Bexar County facilities, including:
- Booking information
- Current charges
- Bond amounts
- Next court appearance
- Facility location
-
Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search - This state-level resource provides conviction records and other criminal history information for a fee. Users must create an account to access this service.
-
Bexar County District Clerk Records Search - This comprehensive system allows searching of both criminal and civil cases filed in Bexar County district courts.
When using these online systems, users should note:
- Some portals may require registration or account creation
- Certain detailed information may only be available through in-person requests
- Records obtained online may not be certified copies
- Some searches may incur fees, particularly for state-level background checks
- The most recent case information may not be immediately available online
For technical assistance with online record searches, users may contact the Bexar County Information Technology Department at 210-335-0250 during regular business hours.
Can You Search Bexar County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act § 552.021, members of the public have the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. Bexar County provides several options for free access to criminal records information.
Free in-person inspection of criminal records is available at:
Bexar County District Clerk's Office
Paul Elizondo Tower
101 W. Nueva St., Suite 217
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2113
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Bexar County Sheriff's Office - Central Records
200 N. Comal St.
San Antonio, TX 78207
210-335-6010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free online resources for criminal records include:
-
Bexar County Criminal Court Records Search - This portal provides basic case information for criminal proceedings in Bexar County courts at no cost. Users can search by name, case number, or other identifiers.
-
Bexar County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search - This free database allows users to check current inmate status, charges, and bond information.
-
Bexar County Court Docket Search - This system provides free access to court dockets and scheduling information.
While inspection of records is generally free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of documents (typically $1.00 per page)
- Certified copies (additional certification fee)
- Extensive or specialized searches requiring significant staff time
- Background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety
- Expedited processing requests
The Bexar County Commissioners Court establishes fee schedules for record copies in accordance with Texas law. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or when the information is deemed to be in the public interest.
What's Included in a Bexar County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Bexar County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 60.01, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph when available
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offense (felony class A-F or misdemeanor class A-C)
- Attorney information (defense counsel and prosecutor)
- Plea entered
- Trial information if applicable
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or judgment
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions
- Appeal information
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole violations
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office Central Records Division maintains arrest records and incident reports, while the Bexar County District Clerk maintains court records and case dispositions. These agencies coordinate with the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service to ensure comprehensive criminal history information is available at both the county and state levels.
How Long Does Bexar County Keep Criminal Records?
Bexar County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under the Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Government Retention Schedules, specifically Schedule PS (Public Safety Records) and Schedule DC (District Clerk Records). These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records.
Key retention periods for criminal records in Bexar County include:
- Felony Case Records: Permanently maintained by the District Clerk's Office
- Misdemeanor Case Records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition
- Arrest Records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after arrest date
- Offense Reports: Maintained for a minimum of 10 years after the report date
- Jail Records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after release
- Juvenile Records: Subject to specialized retention and sealing provisions under Texas Family Code § 58.003
- Sex Offender Registration Records: Maintained for the duration of the registration requirement plus an additional 10 years
- Probation Records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after completion of probation
- Court Dockets: Permanently maintained
It is important to note that these are minimum retention periods, and in practice, many criminal records in Bexar County are maintained for longer periods or permanently, particularly for serious offenses. Additionally, records that have been digitized may be retained indefinitely in electronic format even after physical copies have been destroyed in accordance with retention schedules.
The Bexar County Records Management Office oversees compliance with retention requirements and coordinates with individual departments to ensure proper maintenance of criminal records. This office can provide specific information about retention periods for particular types of records.
Lookup Criminal Records in Bexar County
Bexar County Sheriff's Office Records
Central Records Division Search Portal
Bexar County Court Records Search