Comal County Public Records / Comal County Arrest Records

Comal County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Comal County

Arrest records in Comal County are considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code § 552). This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant in Texas law. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through the judicial process. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.108, certain law enforcement and prosecution records may be withheld if release would interfere with detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime.

The Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county and makes them available to the public in accordance with state law. However, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy or ongoing investigations as permitted under statutory exemptions.

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

What's in Comal County Arrest Records

Comal County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Home address
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Fingerprints
Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency (e.g., Comal County Sheriff's Office, New Braunfels Police Department)
Names and badge numbers of arresting officers
Circumstances leading to arrest

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statute citations for alleged violations
Classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony)
Degree of offense

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing court
Date issued
Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

Booking number
Date and time of booking
Processing officer information
Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond amount
Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond status (posted or not)
Bonding company information if applicable

Court Information:

Court assignment
Case number
Scheduled court appearances
Judge assigned to case

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Expected release date if applicable
Facility housing information

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Probation or parole status
Risk assessment information
Medical screening notes (non-confidential)
Behavioral notes during custody

The specific content of arrest records may vary based on the circumstances of the arrest and the policies of the arresting agency. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records in accordance with privacy protections under Texas law.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Comal County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Comal County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains current systems for processing public information requests in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act.

To request arrest records in person:

Visit the Comal County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Complete a Public Information Request Form specifying the information sought.
Provide proper identification such as a government-issued photo ID.
Pay applicable fees for document reproduction (currently $0.10 per page for standard copies).
Allow up to 10 business days for processing as permitted under Texas Government Code § 552.221.

To request arrest records by mail:

Download and complete the Public Information Request Form from the Comal County website.
Include a clear description of the records being requested, including names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence.
Mail the completed form to:

Comal County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
3005 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130

To request arrest records by email:

Complete the Public Information Request Form.
Scan and email the form to the designated email address for public information requests: records@co.comal.tx.us
Include "Public Information Request" in the subject line.
Provide contact information for follow-up questions or fee notifications.

Requestors should note that certain information may be redacted from arrest records in accordance with exceptions provided in the Texas Public Information Act. The county will notify requestors if any information is being withheld and cite the applicable legal exemption.

How To Find Comal County Arrest Records Online

Comal County provides digital access to certain arrest record information through official online resources. The following methods are available for conducting online searches:

Comal County Jail Inmate Search: The Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information on currently incarcerated individuals. This resource is updated regularly and includes basic arrest information, charges, and custody status.
Comal County Court Records: The Comal County District Clerk's Office maintains an online case information system that allows searches for criminal cases resulting from arrests. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date to locate court records associated with arrests.
Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service: The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest records from Comal County. Authorized users can access this information through the secure portal.

To conduct an online search:

Navigate to the appropriate county website or portal.
Select the search option relevant to the information sought.
Enter the required search parameters (name, date of birth, case number).
Review the search results for relevant information.
Follow on-screen instructions for viewing or requesting detailed records.

Users should be aware that online systems may not contain complete arrest record information, particularly for older cases or those with special privacy considerations. Additionally, some online searches may require payment of fees or creation of user accounts to access detailed information.

For comprehensive arrest record information, particularly for cases not available through online systems, individuals are advised to submit formal public information requests through the methods outlined in the previous section.

How To Search Comal County Arrest Records for Free?

Comal County residents and other interested parties have several options for accessing arrest records without incurring fees. These free search methods provide basic information about arrests and criminal cases:

Comal County Jail Current Inmate Roster: The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible list of current inmates that can be viewed online at no cost. This resource provides basic information including name, charges, and booking date for individuals currently in custody.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available for public use at the Comal County Justice Center. These terminals allow visitors to search basic court case information related to arrests at no charge during regular business hours.

Comal County Justice Center
100 N. Seguin Ave.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-1100

New Braunfels Police Department Records: For arrests made by the New Braunfels Police Department, basic information may be available through their public information office at no cost for simple inquiries.
Public Court Hearings: Court proceedings related to arrests are generally open to the public. The court docket, which lists scheduled hearings, is posted daily at the Comal County Courthouse and can be viewed at no cost.
Local Newspaper Archives: The New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung and other local publications often report on significant arrests. Many libraries provide free access to newspaper archives.

When utilizing free search methods, requestors should note the following limitations:

Free resources typically provide only basic information rather than complete arrest records
Older records may not be available through free online systems
Some free search methods require in-person visits during business hours
Information obtained through free resources may not be certified for official purposes

For more comprehensive searches or certified copies of arrest records, formal requests through the Sheriff's Office Records Division may require payment of statutory fees as authorized under Texas Government Code § 552.261.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Comal County

Under Texas law, arrest records are not automatically removed from public access, even if charges are dismissed or the individual is found not guilty. However, several legal remedies exist for limiting public access to arrest records in Comal County through processes known as expunction (complete legal erasure) or order of nondisclosure (sealing).

Expunction (Complete Erasure)

Expunction is governed by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and completely removes arrest records from public and law enforcement databases. Individuals may qualify for expunction if:

They were arrested but never charged with a crime
Charges were dismissed or quashed
They were acquitted at trial (found "not guilty")
They were convicted but subsequently pardoned
They completed certain pretrial diversion programs

The expunction process requires:

Filing a Petition for Expunction with the Comal County District Court
Paying the required filing fee (approximately $300)
Attending a court hearing if required
Obtaining a signed Order of Expunction from a judge
Distributing the order to all agencies holding records

Order of Nondisclosure (Sealing)

An Order of Nondisclosure, governed by Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code, seals arrest and court records from public view but allows law enforcement and certain government agencies to maintain access. This remedy is typically available to individuals who:

Successfully completed deferred adjudication for certain offenses
Were convicted of certain misdemeanors and have completed all terms of the sentence
Meet waiting period requirements (varies by offense type)

The nondisclosure process requires:

Filing a Petition for Nondisclosure with the court that handled the original case
Paying the required filing fee (approximately $280)
Demonstrating eligibility under statutory requirements
Obtaining a signed Order of Nondisclosure from a judge

Both processes typically require legal assistance, and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Certain serious offenses, including most violent crimes and sex offenses, are generally ineligible for expunction or nondisclosure.

Comal County District Clerk's Office
100 N. Seguin Ave., Suite 108
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-1270

What Happens After Arrest in Comal County?

Following an arrest in Comal County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process that includes several distinct phases:

1. Booking and Processing

Upon arrival at the Comal County Jail, arrestees undergo the booking process, which includes:

Fingerprinting and photographing
Collection of personal information
Medical screening
Property inventory
Initial criminal history check

2. Magistration

Within 48 hours of arrest (typically within 24 hours), arrestees appear before a magistrate judge who:

Informs them of charges
Advises them of constitutional rights
Sets bail or bond conditions
Determines if probable cause exists for detention
Appoints counsel for indigent defendants

3. Bail Determination

The magistrate sets bail based on:

Nature and circumstances of the offense
Defendant's criminal history
Public safety considerations
Flight risk assessment
Ability to pay

Defendants may be released on:

Cash bail (full payment to court)
Surety bond (percentage payment to bondsman)
Personal recognizance (promise to appear)

4. Formal Charging

For misdemeanors, the County Attorney files an "Information" document. For felonies, cases are presented to a grand jury, which may issue an indictment. This process must occur within statutory time limits based on offense level.

5. Arraignment

At the arraignment, defendants:

Are formally informed of charges
Enter an initial plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Have trial rights explained
Receive future court dates

6. Pretrial Proceedings

This phase may include:

Discovery (exchange of evidence)
Pretrial motions
Plea negotiations
Pretrial hearings
Case status conferences

7. Trial or Plea Resolution

Cases are resolved through:

Plea agreement (most common)
Bench trial (judge decides)
Jury trial (guaranteed for jailable offenses)

8. Sentencing

If convicted, sentencing may include:

Incarceration
Probation
Fines and court costs
Restitution to victims
Community service
Treatment programs

9. Post-Conviction

Following conviction, defendants may:

Appeal the conviction or sentence
Seek post-conviction relief
Serve imposed sentences
Complete probation requirements

Throughout this process, defendants have constitutional rights including the right to counsel, the right to remain silent, the right to a speedy trial, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Comal County?

Arrest records in Comal County are maintained according to retention schedules established under Texas Local Government Code § 203.041, which authorizes the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to establish records retention schedules for local governments, including law enforcement agencies.

Under the current Texas State Library and Archives Commission Local Schedule PS (Public Safety Records), arrest records are subject to the following retention periods:

Arrest Reports and Booking Information: Minimum of 5 years for misdemeanors; 75 years for felonies
Fingerprint Cards and Photographs: 75 years from date of arrest
Jail Booking Logs: 5 years
Incident Reports Related to Arrests: 5 years for misdemeanors; 10 years for felonies
Warrant Records: 3 years after execution or expiration
Arrest Warrants: 5 years after execution or expiration

Different agencies within Comal County maintain separate record systems with potentially different retention periods:

The Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.
The Comal County District Attorney's Office maintains prosecution records related to arrests.
The Comal County District and County Clerks maintain court records stemming from arrests.
Municipal police departments within the county maintain their own arrest records.

These retention periods ensure that records are available for:

Ongoing criminal investigations
Prosecution of related cases
Background checks for employment and licensing
Statistical analysis and crime pattern recognition
Historical documentation and accountability

It is important to note that even after the minimum retention period has expired, records may be maintained indefinitely unless specifically ordered to be destroyed through an expunction process. Digital records systems have made indefinite retention increasingly common.

Records that have been ordered expunged through a court order must be destroyed regardless of retention schedules, as mandated by Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

How to Find Mugshots in Comal County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images serve as visual identification records of individuals processed into the criminal justice system. In Comal County, mugshots are taken as part of standard booking procedures at the county jail and local police departments.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

Mugshots in Comal County are primarily maintained by:

The Comal County Sheriff's Office as part of jail booking records
The New Braunfels Police Department for arrests within city limits
Other municipal police departments within the county
The Texas Department of Public Safety as part of statewide criminal history records

Finding Mugshots

To obtain official copies of mugshots in Comal County, individuals may:

Submit a public information request to the arresting agency using the Texas Public Information Act request process
Specify the name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest of the subject
Pay applicable fees for reproduction of the photograph
Allow for processing time as permitted under state law

Can They Be Found Online

Limited mugshot information may be available online through:

The Comal County Jail current inmate roster (for recently arrested individuals only)
The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search (requires payment and is available only to authorized users)

Unlike some jurisdictions, Comal County does not maintain a public-facing database of all historical mugshots. Commercial websites that aggregate and publish mugshots may contain images from Comal County arrests, but these sites are not officially affiliated with county agencies and may contain outdated or inaccurate information.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

For official copies of mugshots, submit requests to:

Comal County Sheriff's Office Records Division
3005 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 620-3400

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots may be restricted under certain circumstances:

Juvenile arrest records (under age 17) are generally confidential under Texas Family Code
Expunged or sealed records are not available to the public
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
Privacy protections may apply to certain sensitive cases

Requestors should note that while mugshots are generally considered public records in Texas, their use for commercial purposes, particularly on websites that charge removal fees, has been subject to increasing legal scrutiny and potential legislative restrictions.