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New Braunfels Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in New Braunfels, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in New Braunfels, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for governmental bodies is available to the public, with certain statutory exceptions. The public nature of arrest records serves to maintain transparency in the criminal justice system and upholds the principle of open government operations within Comal County and the State of Texas.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various official channels, including the New Braunfels Police Department and Municipal Court. The Texas Public Information Act specifically designates law enforcement records as public information under § 552.021, though certain investigative materials may be exempt from disclosure under § 552.108 if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.

How to Look Up New Braunfels Arrest Records in 2025

The New Braunfels Police Department maintains arrest records and makes them available through several official channels. Interested parties seeking arrest record information may utilize the following methods:

Submit a public information request through the official city portal
Visit the New Braunfels Police Department Records Division in person during regular business hours
Access the online database maintained by the Comal County Sheriff's Office for county-wide arrest information
Request records through the New Braunfels Municipal Court for cases within their jurisdiction
Utilize the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Record Information system for statewide records

For in-person requests, individuals must present valid identification and may be required to complete a formal records request form. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload, in accordance with Texas Government Code § 552.221, which requires prompt production of public information.

New Braunfels Police Department
1488 S. Seguin Avenue
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-4100
New Braunfels Police Department Official Website

New Braunfels Municipal Court
550 Landa Street
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-4180
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contents of a New Braunfels Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the New Braunfels Police Department contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Texas Penal Code citations
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
Arresting officer information and badge number
Case or incident number assigned by the department
Initial bail determination or bond amount, if applicable
Custody status information

Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 62.005, if the arrest involves a registrable sex offense, additional information may be included and maintained in specialized databases. The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves both law enforcement purposes and public information needs while adhering to Texas statutory requirements for criminal justice documentation.

Legal Uses of New Braunfels Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from New Braunfels authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes as permitted under Texas law. Authorized uses include:

Background screening for employment purposes, particularly for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations
Tenant screening by property owners and management companies
Pre-trial services evaluation for bail and release determinations
Criminal justice research and statistical analysis by authorized agencies
Journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Personal safety assessments by individuals

Employers and licensing agencies should note that under Texas Occupations Code § 53.021, certain convictions may disqualify individuals from specific occupational licenses. However, pursuant to Texas Business and Commerce Code § 20.05, arrest records that did not result in conviction or deferred adjudication generally cannot be reported by consumer reporting agencies after seven years.

Users of arrest record information must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) when applicable, and should be aware that unauthorized use of criminal history information may result in civil liability under both federal and Texas law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in New Braunfels

The State of Texas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement (expunction) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement permanently removes arrest information from public access and official records. Pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, individuals may qualify for expungement in New Braunfels if:

The arrest did not lead to a formal charge
Charges were dismissed or quashed
The individual was acquitted at trial
The individual was convicted but subsequently pardoned
The individual completed a pre-trial diversion program resulting in dismissal
The statutory waiting period has elapsed for certain misdemeanor offenses

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Expunction with the district court in Comal County. This legal procedure typically requires the assistance of qualified legal counsel and payment of filing fees. If granted, the court issues an Order of Expunction directing all agencies to destroy or return all records related to the arrest.

For cases not qualifying for expungement, individuals may seek an Order of Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which seals records from public view while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes.

Comal County District Clerk
150 N. Seguin Avenue, Suite 304
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-1270
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal History Reports

Arrest records and comprehensive criminal history reports represent distinct categories of documentation within the Texas criminal justice system. The primary distinctions include:

Scope: Arrest records document a specific incident of apprehension, while criminal history reports compile all documented interactions with law enforcement agencies
Content: Arrest records focus on the circumstances of a single detention, while criminal history reports track case progression through the justice system
Timeframe: Arrest records reflect information at the time of booking, while criminal history reports include disposition information and sentencing outcomes
Accessibility: Arrest records may be obtained from the arresting agency, while complete criminal history reports require fingerprint-based searches through the Texas Department of Public Safety

Under Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 27, criminal history record information is classified according to levels of completeness and verification. The most comprehensive and reliable records are those maintained in the Computerized Criminal History System (CCH), which requires positive fingerprint identification and includes complete case disposition information.

Individuals seeking the most accurate information about their own criminal history may request a personal review copy through the Texas Department of Public Safety by submitting fingerprints and required identification documentation.