Comal County Criminal Records
What Is Comal County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Comal County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.083, which establishes guidelines for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information.
Criminal records in Comal County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Comal County Sheriff's Office, New Braunfels Police Department, and other municipal police departments within the county
- Court Records: Official proceedings from Comal County courts, including arraignments, pleas, trials, and sentencing
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in the Comal County Jail or state correctional facilities
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Under Texas law, both types of records are generally considered public information, though with certain exceptions.
Criminal offenses in Comal County are categorized as either felonies or misdemeanors:
- Felonies: More serious offenses punishable by imprisonment in state facilities for periods exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by county jail terms of less than one year, fines, or both
Juvenile records receive special protection under Texas Family Code § 58.007, which generally restricts public access to criminal records of individuals under 17 years of age. These records are typically sealed and require court orders for disclosure.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Comal County:
Comal County Sheriff's Office
3005 W. San Antonio St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-620-3400
Comal County Sheriff's Office
Comal County Clerk's Office
100 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1230
Comal County Clerk
Texas Department of Public Safety - Crime Records Division
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
512-424-2000
Texas DPS Crime Records
Are Criminal Records Public In Comal County
Criminal records in Comal County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, which establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be available to the public unless specifically exempted by law. This act, codified in Texas Government Code Chapter 552, implements the principle that citizens have a right to information about governmental activities.
Section 552.021 of the Texas Government Code specifically states: "Public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision establishes the fundamental right of access to public records maintained by county agencies.
The following categories of criminal records are typically available for public inspection in Comal County:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and case files
- Conviction records
- Jail booking information
- Sex offender registration information
However, certain categories of criminal records are restricted from public access under various provisions of Texas law:
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations (§ 552.108)
- Juvenile criminal records, except under limited circumstances
- Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order
- Information that would compromise the safety of victims or witnesses
- Records where disclosure would violate federal law
The Comal County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian for many court-related criminal records, while the Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and jail records. Both agencies are bound by the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act in determining what information may be released to the public.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Comal County may be required to submit formal requests in writing, particularly for records not available through online portals. Agencies typically have 10 business days to respond to such requests, though they may seek extensions in certain circumstances.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Comal County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Comal County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county currently maintains multiple systems for record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing specific types of information.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Comal County Clerk's Office
100 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1230
County Clerk Records Information
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The process for obtaining criminal records in person typically involves:
- Completing a records request form, available at the clerk's office or downloadable from the county website
- Providing identification (government-issued photo ID required)
- Specifying the records being sought (case numbers are helpful but not always required)
- Paying applicable fees (varies by record type and number of pages)
- Waiting for records to be retrieved (some records may be available immediately, while others may require processing time)
For written requests, individuals should:
- Submit a detailed written request specifying the records sought
- Include contact information for follow-up questions
- Address the request to the appropriate agency (Clerk's Office for court records, Sheriff's Office for arrest records)
- Include payment for applicable fees (call ahead to confirm current fee schedule)
The Texas Department of Public Safety also maintains a centralized criminal history database that includes Comal County records. To access these records:
- Visit the Criminal History Name Search portal
- Create an account if you don't already have one
- Pay the required fee ($3.00 per name search currently)
- Enter the subject's information as completely as possible
- Review and download the results
For specialized records such as sex offender information, the public may access the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry, which includes registrants residing in Comal County.
How To Find Criminal Records in Comal County Online?
Comal County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient alternatives to in-person visits, though the scope of available information varies by platform.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Comal County include:
-
Comal County Public Access Portal: The county maintains an online public access system that allows users to search for various county records, including certain court cases. To use this system:
- Create a user account with valid email address
- Select the appropriate record type from the available options
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, date range)
- Review search results and select records for viewing
- Pay any applicable fees for document copies
-
Comal County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search: The Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup tool that displays current jail population information. This resource includes:
- Booking photos
- Charges
- Bond information
- Court dates
- Custody status
-
Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search: For comprehensive criminal history information that may include records from multiple jurisdictions, the Texas DPS Criminal History Search provides:
- Statewide criminal history information
- Conviction data
- Arrest records (with limitations)
- Sex offender registration status
-
Texas Judicial Branch - Public Court Records: The state judiciary maintains a searchable database of court records that includes Comal County cases. This system provides:
- Case status information
- Hearing schedules
- Party information
- Case disposition
- Document indexes (actual documents may require separate requests)
When using online systems, users should note that:
- Some records may be subject to redaction of sensitive information
- Older records may not be fully digitized and might require in-person requests
- Registration requirements vary by platform
- Search functionality may be limited by the information provided
- Fees may apply for certain searches or document retrieval
The Comal County Crime Records Services division can provide guidance on navigating these various online resources and determining which platform is most appropriate for specific record needs.
Can You Search Comal County Criminal Records for Free?
Comal County provides several options for accessing criminal records without charge, though certain limitations apply to free searches. The Texas Public Information Act establishes the right to inspect public records at no cost, though fees may be assessed for copies or extensive searches.
Free in-person inspection of criminal records is available at:
Comal County Clerk's Office
100 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1230
County Clerk Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Comal County District Clerk's Office
100 Main Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
830-221-1270
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
When visiting these offices, members of the public may:
- Review case indexes without charge
- Examine non-confidential court files on-site
- View docket information for criminal cases
- Access public terminals for basic record searches
The following online resources are currently available without charge:
-
Comal County Sheriff's Office Current Inmates: Basic information about individuals currently held in the county jail is accessible online at no cost.
-
Court Records Search: Limited case information is available through the county's public portal without registration fees, though document retrieval may incur charges.
-
Public Sex Offender Registry: Information about registered sex offenders residing in Comal County is freely accessible through the Texas Department of Public Safety website.
While these free options provide access to basic criminal record information, users should be aware of certain limitations:
- Free searches may not include comprehensive criminal history reports
- Document copies typically require payment of reproduction fees
- Certified copies always incur charges (currently $1.00 per page plus certification fee)
- Extensive searches requiring significant staff time may result in labor charges
- Commercial background check services that aggregate criminal record information charge subscription or per-search fees
Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.261, agencies may charge for the cost of materials, labor, and overhead when providing copies of public information. However, the law requires that these charges be reasonable and based on actual costs.
What's Included in a Comal County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Comal County agencies typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies depending on the record type and maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph when available
- Current and previous addresses
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing details
- Initial charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (County Court, District Court)
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations and offense classifications
- Felony or misdemeanor designation
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Pretrial motions and rulings
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Final verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment or education mandates
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Appeal information
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective orders or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Related traffic violations
- Probation or parole violations
- Record of compliance with court-ordered programs
The Comal County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail information, while the County Clerk's Office and District Clerk's Office maintain court records. The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division serves as the central repository for criminal history information statewide, including records from Comal County.
How Long Does Comal County Keep Criminal Records?
Comal County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the authority of Texas Local Government Code § 203.041. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of criminal records, though some records may be kept longer at the discretion of the maintaining agency.
The current retention periods for common criminal record types in Comal County are:
Arrest Records:
- Felony cases resulting in conviction or deferred adjudication: 75 years from date of arrest
- Felony cases not resulting in conviction: 5 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor cases resulting in conviction: 20 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor cases not resulting in conviction: 3 years from date of arrest
Court Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention for cases filed after 1950
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after final disposition
- Grand jury records: 10 years
- Court dockets: Permanent retention
- Indexes to criminal cases: Permanent retention
Jail Records:
- Inmate booking and intake records: 5 years after release
- Jail population reports: 5 years
- Visitor logs: 3 years
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
Probation Records:
- Felony probation files: 10 years after termination of probation
- Misdemeanor probation files: 5 years after termination of probation
Certain records may be subject to special retention rules:
- Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
- Cases involving sex offenses against minors: 75 years
- DNA evidence: 50 years for unsolved felonies
It is important to note that while records may be maintained for these periods, their accessibility to the public may be restricted by various provisions of law, including orders of expunction or non-disclosure. Additionally, older records may not be available in electronic format and might require more extensive searching of physical archives.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service maintains criminal history information indefinitely for most serious offenses, providing a permanent repository of conviction data even after local records might have been destroyed according to retention schedules.
Lookup Criminal Records in Comal County
County Clerk Records Information
Comal County Public Records Access