>Comal County Arrest Records Online

Comal County, Texas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Comal County, Texas?

Arrest records are public information in Comal County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency in law enforcement operations and ensures accountability within the criminal justice system. The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates arrest records as public documents unless they fall under specific statutory exemptions, such as records pertaining to ongoing investigations or juvenile cases as outlined in § 552.108 and § 58.007 of the Texas Family Code.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Comal County?

Arrest records in Comal County are available through various online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Comal County Judicial Record Search provides public access to criminal case information, including arrest data. Additionally, the Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records of current inmates and recent arrests. Users should be advised that online records may not always reflect the most current information, as there may be processing delays between an arrest and its appearance in digital databases. Furthermore, certain records may be restricted from online access due to privacy laws or ongoing investigations as specified in Texas Government Code § 552.108.

How to Look Up Comal County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Comal County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest documentation:

Online County Records Database: The Comal County Criminal Records Search provides 24-hour access to arrest records and related criminal case information.
Sheriff's Office Records Request: Citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records through the Jail Open Records Request system. These requests must be submitted in writing and will be processed in the order received.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may appear in person at the Comal County Sheriff's Office to request arrest record information.

Comal County Sheriff's Office
3005 W. San Antonio Street
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 620-3400
Official Website

District Clerk's Office: For arrest records associated with court cases, the District Clerk maintains official documentation.

Comal County District Clerk
100 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-1270
Official Website

Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, fees may apply for record searches and document reproduction. Standard processing times range from 3-10 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload.

Contents of a Comal County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Comal County authorities typically contain comprehensive information regarding the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard arrest documentation includes the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable Texas statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including processing date and facility
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions
Case disposition information, if available
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

The Warrants & Civil Section of the Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains records of outstanding warrants and related documentation. It should be noted that pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.26, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Comal County is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and federal levels. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) serves as the primary statutory authority regulating public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. Under § 552.021, public information is presumed to be available to the public during normal business hours of the governmental body.

The Public Information Office of Comal County processes requests for arrest records in accordance with statutory guidelines. Pursuant to § 552.221, the county must promptly produce public information for inspection or duplication upon request. The statute establishes that if the requested information cannot be produced immediately, the governmental body must set a date and hour within a reasonable time when the information will be available.

Certain exceptions to disclosure exist under Texas law, including:

Information related to pending investigations (§ 552.108)
Information that would interfere with the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime
Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel
Juvenile records, which are subject to special confidentiality provisions under Texas Family Code § 58.007

Federal regulations, including the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), may also impact the availability of certain arrest records, particularly those maintained in federal databases or involving federal offenses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Comal County

Under Texas law, individuals may petition for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs the expungement process in Comal County. Pursuant to Article 55.01, a person who has been arrested for commission of either a felony or misdemeanor is entitled to have all records and files relating to the arrest expunged if:

The person was acquitted of the offense
The person was pardoned for the offense
The person was convicted and subsequently pardoned
The case was dismissed or no charges were filed
The statute of limitations has expired

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Comal County District Court where the case was disposed. The petition must include specific information as outlined in Article 55.02, including:

The petitioner's full legal name, sex, race, date of birth, driver's license number, and social security number
The offense charged against the petitioner
The date the offense was alleged to have been committed
The date of the arrest
The name of the county where the petitioner was arrested
The name of the agency that arrested the petitioner
The case number and court of offense

Upon successful expungement, all records of the arrest are removed from public access and law enforcement databases. The legal effect of an expunction order is that the person arrested may deny the occurrence of the arrest and the existence of the expunction order, except when questioned under oath in a criminal proceeding.

Comal County District Court
100 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-1270
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Comal County

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