Are Criminal Records in Bexar County Publicly Accessible?

In Bexar and other Texas counties, criminal records are typically classified as public records. Texas laws such as the Public Information Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure govern the maintenance and disclosure of criminal records in Bexar County.

According to the Public Information Act, criminal records are usually open to public access unless the record falls under particular exemptions. The general public is permitted to request criminal records from the custodians of such records, such as local and state law enforcement agencies. Criminal records that may be available to the public include arrests, criminal court cases, convictions, and jail/supervision records.

While the Public Information Act generally determines if a record is open to the public and provides the procedures for accessing it, the Code of Criminal Procedure details the creation, maintenance, and accessibility of criminal records. However, not all criminal records are accessible to the general public. Criminal records may be exempted for various reasons, from protecting the privacy of individuals to preventing discrimination.

Texas law specifies some information restricted from public disclosure, such as the following.

• Records that have been expunged or otherwise sealed from public disclosure through a court order
• Records of offenders who were juveniles or minors at the time of arrest
• Records which may identify or endanger witnesses or victims of crimes

Who is Eligible to Access Bexar County Criminal Records in Texas?

Parties that may request Bexar County criminal records under Texas law include the following.

• Members of the general public, including the subject of the record, may request Bexar County criminal records from local law enforcement or the state department of public safety. The local District Clerk also responds to requests for criminal case records.
• Lawyers and legal representatives participating in a court case may request criminal records related to the case.
• Law enforcement agencies, including police departments, sheriffs, and prosecutors, may access criminal records during investigations and legal proceedings.
• Employers in occupations who deal with sensitive information or vulnerable persons may run prospective employees through criminal record checks.
• Government agencies like licensing boards may require criminal record checks before issuing a license or certification.

Some records may be sealed, expunged, or exempt from disclosure under public record laws. Where a record has been sealed or expunged, it may still be possible to access the criminal record by obtaining a court order. The record may also be issued with the confidential parts removed or redacted.

How to Request Criminal Records in Bexar County

Bexar County criminal records are available from several agencies, including the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the Bexar County District Clerk, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Record seekers may request local criminal histories or background checks from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office during office hours at:

Bexar County Sheriff's Office
200 North Comal Street
San Antonio, TX 78207

Requesters must show a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and pay the required fees. Depending on the results, fees may vary between $3 and $8. Fees are acceptable in cash only, and no bills larger than $10. It is recommended that visitors call (210) 335-6302 ahead of their visit to confirm the availability of the required record. Records maintained by the sheriff's office may also be obtained online using the Public Information Act Request Centre. Users who sign up for an account may request records and monitor their requests online.

Criminal records may be requested from the District Clerk in person or online. To request records in person, requests must visit the Criminal Filing Department of the District Clerk’s Office located at:

Bexar County District Clerk
Paul Elizondo Tower
101 W Nueva St,
San Antonio, TX, 78205

Record seekers may call the criminal filing department at (210) 335-2591 for any information or to confirm the availability of records. Criminal records in the custody of the District Clerk are also available online via the Justice Information Portal.

The Texas Department of Public Safety provides access to criminal records via the Criminal History Name Search tool, allowing users to perform name-based criminal record searches online.

Interested parties may also find criminal records using the online resources provided by third-party records websites such as Texascourtrecords.us. These websites allow users to locate criminal records across jurisdictions without visiting a physical location.

What Information Is Contained in Bexar County Criminal Records?

Bexar County criminal records are a combination of records documenting an individual’s criminal history. These records are created when a person is convicted and passes through the full legal system. A criminal record generally contains full names, a physical description, arrest records, court case records, sentencing details, and prison records. Additional information such as booking details, bail information, and information concerning any supervisory programs such as probation or parole may also be included.

Certain types of information may be unavailable for public request. Records that have been expunged or sealed by a court order are typically unavailable. Juvenile criminal records are also restricted from public view. Sometimes, restricted records may be obtained by the public using a court order from the sentencing court.

Are There Restrictions on Accessing Criminal Records in Bexar County?

Bexar County places very few restrictions on who may access criminal records in Bexar County. However, some records may be classified as confidential under Texas law. Examples of records that may be restricted by law include the following.

• Records may be restricted if they identify victims or witnesses to a crime
• Criminal records of juveniles and minors are restricted from public view
• Records that may compromise ongoing criminal cases or investigations
• Criminal records that have been sealed or expunged by a court order

In some cases, requesters may still be able to obtain restricted criminal records. Law enforcement, such as police officers, and court officers, such as prosecutors, may obtain restricted arrest records for investigations. Members of the public may obtain restricted records by obtaining a court order or may receive records with the restricted parts removed.

What Happens if My Request for Criminal Records is Denied in Bexar County?

Custodians of criminal records will typically be expected to provide the requester with reasons for the denial in writing. The denial message will detail the reasons for the denial, such as whether the records are restricted or the request was unclear. It will also advise the request on his options for appeal.

Records seekers may appeal a denial of a public criminal records request by directly contacting the agency that denied it. In Bexar County, these could be the County Clerk, District Clerk, or Sheriff’s Office, who all serve as custodians of criminal records. Appeals must be made in writing and submitted to the respective agency within 10 days of the denial.

If the requester chooses, they may also appeal to the Open Records Division of the Texas Attorney. For more information, record seekers may contact the Open Records Division at:

Office of the Attorney General
Open Records Division
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
Phone: (512) 453-2100

How to Expunge or Seal Bexar County Criminal Records

Applicants in Bexar County may apply to expunge criminal records under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. According to the law, petitioners qualify to expunge their criminal record if they meet certain conditions. In Texas, a criminal record may be expunged if the charges were dismissed, no charges were brought, or the petitioner was pardoned or acquitted after a case. The criminal records of petitioners who were juveniles or minors at the time of the conviction may also qualify.

A petition for expungement must be filed at the Bexar County court where the conviction was delivered. The petitioner must fill out the required forms, pay the filing fees, and serve notice of the petition to all custodians of the criminal records, including local law enforcement and prosecutors. A date for the hearing will be set, and a judge will listen to the arguments for and against the petition and rule on the petition.