Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Title 1, Chapter 2)mandates and authorizes peace officers and law enforcement to arrest individuals caught in the act or suspected of perpetrating criminal acts in Bexar County.
Following an arrest, the arresting officer generates an "arrest record" during a booking process and updates such records in subsequent arrests. Thus, a Bexar County arrest record is an official document created by law enforcement agencies that contains information about the arrests made in the county.
Arrest records may be used as a statistical source to estimate the arrest rate. When an individual is arrested, the arresting officer collects vital information about the arrest and the arrestee, such as personal information, arrest location and time, the reason for the arrest, fingerprints, and mugshots. Details about the individual's release, bail, or detention are also inputted into the arrest record if available. This documented arrest information will eventually become part ofBexar County court recordsused in court trials.
Are Arrest Records Public in Bexar County?
Yes.Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, otherwise known as the Public Information Act, allows public inspection and reproduction of records created by government bodies, such as the Bexar County Sheriff's Office arrest records.
The Texas Public Information Act, however, imposes limitations on record access. These limitations and exemptions include arrest information related to juveniles, records of ongoing investigative processes of law enforcement agencies, and information that endangers public safety or puts enforcement officers at risk of privacy infringement.
Personal identifying information such as telephone numbers, bank account information, residential address, or other sensitive details are exempt from public access. Nonetheless, authorized persons like an attorney, an enforcement agency, or individuals may be able to access sealed or exempt arrest records by presenting a signed court order and other required identification documents to the record custodian.
What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?
Arrest records made available to members of the public by the Sheriff or other police divisions typically include the following information:
- Name of the record bearer
- Identifying features of the individual such as height, weight, race, skin or hair color
- Birth information and age of the arrestee
- Location, date, and time of the arrest
- The name of the arresting officer and agency
- The reason for the arrest (type of crime perpetrated)
- Photographs/Mugshots of the arrested individual
- Fingerprints of the arrestee
- Booking information like time and place
- Release or bail information.
Bexar County Crime Rate
Recent data published by theTexas Uniform Crime Reporting Programrecorded that the total number of crimes committed in 2023 in Bexar County was 135,537. The statistics also show that the crime rate per 100,000 residents in Bexar County in 2023 was 6490.9. There was a 3.57% change when compared to that of 2022, which stood at 6351.2.
Property crimes totaled 95,663 in 2023, out of which larceny had the highest number at 61,699 reported crimes, followed by Motor Vehicle Theft (21,705) and Burglary (10,240). Violent crimes, on the other hand, were estimated to be 39,987, with aggravated assault (37,987) being the most prevalent crime. Robbery (2,109) and Rape (1,665) also accounted for most of the violent crimes committed.
Bexar County Arrest Statistics
The 2022crime by jurisdiction reportshows 6,937 persons were arrested for varying criminal acts in Bexar County, with an arrest rate of 4850.5 per 100,000 citizens. Out of the total number of arrests recorded, 61 were for murder, Rape (46), robbery (256), aggravated assault (1,617), burglary (350), larceny (3923), and auto theft (684).
Find Bexar County Arrest Records
Bexar County arrest records are available through county, state, and federal resources. Online, mail and walk-in options are usually provided by arrest records custodians to aid public access. At the County level, individuals may query the local police department or the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours at:
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
200 North Comal Street (South Tower, corner of N. Comal & West Commerce)
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: (210) 335-6010
Mail requests usually require a stamped, self-addressed envelope containing a money order for the request fees made payable to the Sheriff. Mail requests can be sent using the information below:
Bexar County Sheriff's Office
Central Records, Reports Desk
200 N. Comal Street
San Antonio, TX 78207-3505.
Requesters should note that fees may apply to requesting access to arrest records, and a valid means of identification is required to process record requests.
Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintainsonline inmate informationfor persons arrested by state law enforcement. Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) keep records of arrests at the federal level.
Free Arrest Record Search in Bexar County
Per state laws, anyone may inspect and request copies of Bexar County arrest records. One may access arrest records for free by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person to review the records maintained by the Records unit. Reproducing copies of the records may incur costs.
Furthermore, the Bexar County Central Magistrate maintains asearch portalthat contains information on persons who have been arrested for Class B or higher offenses within the past 24 hours. To use the portal, a first or last name is required to filter the search. Inmate information may also be obtained from the onlineJail Activity Report search pageupdated weekly by the Sheriff's Office or by phoning (210) 335-6201 and supplying a complete name set and date of birth.
Alternatively, it may be possible to access free Bexar County arrest records on third-party websites. These sites contain data collected from numerous sources and jurisdictions. A last or first-name search may produce limited information; comprehensive arrest reports usually attract charges.
Get Bexar County Criminal Records
Bexar County criminal records are official reports of criminal activities that take place in the county on an individual basis. It gives detailed information about a person's criminal history and affinities with the criminal justice system in the county.
TheTexas Department of Public Safetypermits individuals to access their criminal history records for $25 by submitting their live scan fingerprints or calling (512) 424-5079. Interested persons may schedule a fingerprint scan at a DPS Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) centeronlineor by phoning (888) 467-2080. The requester must submit the fingerprint card, a valid ID, name, sex, ethnicity, and birth date to the DPS. The DPS sends the requested CHRI to a specified receiving address provided by the requester.
The DPS also has theCriminal History Search websitethrough which one may retrieve criminal history information of third parties related to offenses categorized as Class B misdemeanors, Class C convictions, and more. Search credits for accessing information on this website costs $3 per unit. Additional information is available by calling (512) 424-2474.
Bexar County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records
Bexar County arrest records are most times used to refer to criminal records because of the similarities in both terms, but these records are different. For instance, arrest records are concise and focus on the events and information regarding arrests, whereas criminal records are more detailed and include a criminal case disposition.
Arrest records reveal specific information about an arrest, such as the arrest location, time and date, the arresting officer/agency, the name and personal information of the arrested individual, and the arrest outcome. Criminal records, on the other hand, contain information about an arrested person's journey in the justice system and all the interactions such a person will subsequently have with the criminal justice system in the county.
Furthermore, the custodians are different. Bexar County arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff and local enforcement agencies, while the Texas DPS is responsible for preserving criminal records.
How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?
Indefinitely. Texas laws are not specific on retention schedules for arrest records. Consequently, once an arrest record is created, it remains permanently on a person's criminal history and is publicly accessible unless they are sealed or expunged. However, internal policies and guidelines of the various record custodians and the magnitude of the offense committed may affect an arrest record's retention.
Expunge Bexar County Arrest Records
An arrest record is a permanent record and may limit the record bearer from enjoying social opportunities and benefits. The Texas laws have provisions for interested persons to file aPetition for a Nondisclosure Order(sealing) or request an expungement (also called expunction).
A sealed record is inaccessible by certain third parties, whereas expunged records are deleted/destroyed. The state laws also permit the automatic sealing of juvenile arrest records if the requirements listed inSection 58.203of the Texas Family Code are met.
The eligibility requirements to qualify for an expungement of arrest records are outlined inChapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. An expungement may be possible for a record if:
- The case was acquitted during the trial
- The record bearer was exonerated based on proof of innocence
- There was a pardon by the State Governor or the President
- The Conviction was for some types of misdemeanors eligible for expungement
- The statute of limitation for the crime committed has lapsed.
The Texas Government Code,Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1, on the other hand, contains the conditions and eligibility requirements needed for an individual to petition for a nondisclosure order. To be eligible for a nondisclosure order, one must have:
- Accepted a deferred adjudication
- Satisfied the prescribed probation program
- Not been convicted for any other offense or placed on another deferred adjudication
- Not been convicted for any of the ineligible offenses such as sexual crimes, family violence, drug trafficking, or Driving under the influence.
To obtain a nondisclosure order or expunge a record:
- File a petition with the court of original jurisdiction
- Provide the required supporting documents such as proof of eligibility
- Pay the filing fee where applicable
- Wait for the court to set a hearing or review the petition.
Once the petition has been granted, the court sends the appropriate notice to the implicated enforcement agencies and record custodians to either seal or destroy the affected record(s).
Bexar County Arrest Warrants
An arrest warrant in Bexar County is a judicial document issued by a magistrate to a peace officer authorizing the arrest of the individual named in the warrant. Arrest warrants are usually put out when there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed or an offender tries to evade justice by becoming a fugitive.
For a peace officer to obtain a warrant, a complaint and affidavit establishing probable cause must be filed with the issuing court.Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Chapter 15)governs the issuing and execution of arrest warrants in Bexar County. Per state laws, the following information is typically inserted into arrest warrants:
- The name of the individual for which the warrant was issued
- The alleged offense of the named individual
- The issuing date and time of the warrant
- The signature and office of the issuing authority
- The court or judicial agency issuing the warrant.
Bexar County Arrest Warrant Search
Individuals intending to search for executed warrants issued against them or other persons may visit the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in person during regular hours. A valid photo identification and other search criteria, such as the name of the record subject, will be required by administrative staff. Information on active warrants is only available to the warrant subject and their attorney upon identity verification.
TheWarrant Divisionof the Sheriff's Office also has a dedicated phone line ((210) 335-6030) for processing requests and information about warrants. Information regarding Fugitives of Family Violence and DWIs may also be retrieved online via the designatedsearch portal.
Do Bexar County Arrest Warrants Expire?
No. Arrest warrants issued in Bexar County do not expire, they remain valid until they are executed unless the issuing agency quashes or invalidates them. A court may quell, recall, or invalidate an issued warrant if the warrant was issued or executed illegally. A petition establishing inadequate or false probable cause may also be a basis for the recalling of an arrest warrant by a court.
