Comal County Police Records
Comal County police records are kept by the Sheriff's Office near New Braunfels, Texas. The county is in the Hill Country, between San Antonio and Austin, and it has grown fast in recent years. If you need to find an arrest report, look up an incident file, or get a copy of a case record in Comal County, the Sheriff's Office is the starting point. The Comal County Clerk handles court records for misdemeanor criminal cases, and the District Clerk keeps felony files. New Braunfels serves as the county seat, and most law enforcement records flow through the offices there. Online tools, in-person visits, and written requests can all work.
Comal County Overview
Comal County Sheriff's Office
The Comal County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It handles patrol, criminal investigations, and jail operations. The office covers all unincorporated areas and works with the New Braunfels Police Department on cases that overlap. Deputies respond to calls across the county's growing communities and rural areas.
Staff keep records of incident reports, arrest files, and accident reports. They follow state retention rules and public access laws. The office runs the county jail and manages 911 dispatch for Comal County. All emergency calls get routed through their center. The Sheriff's Office also serves civil process papers like warrants, subpoenas, and protective orders for local courts. They have grown along with the county and added staff to handle the increasing volume of calls and records requests.
| Office | Comal County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address |
3005 W. San Antonio Street New Braunfels, TX 78130 |
| Phone | (830) 620-3400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Comal County Sheriff |
The Sheriff's Office also runs a warrants division. They track active arrest warrants from local courts. If you think there might be an open warrant in Comal County, call the office or check with the District Clerk.
How to Get Comal County Police Records
Getting police records in Comal County depends on the type of record. Incident reports, arrest logs, and crash reports are each handled differently. The Sheriff's Office keeps most law enforcement files. Court records sit with the County Clerk for misdemeanors or the District Clerk for felonies. Knowing where to go saves you time.
Texas gives the public a right to ask for records. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) makes most government records open. You do not need to give a reason. Agencies must respond promptly, which means within 10 business days in most cases. If they want to keep something back, they must ask the Texas Attorney General for a ruling within that window.
To request Comal County police records, write your request with the date of the incident, names involved, and any report numbers you have. You can submit the request in person at the Sheriff's Office in New Braunfels, mail it, or call first to ask about their process. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page under state law. The first 50 pages may be free when records are in one place and do not need a lot of staff time to prepare.
Note: Records tied to active criminal investigations may be held back until the case is resolved or charges are filed.
Comal County Clerk Records
The Comal County Clerk's Office handles misdemeanor criminal records and civil case files for the county courts. The office is in the courthouse in New Braunfels. Staff can assist with lookups in person, and public search terminals may be available for people who want to search on their own.
The screenshot below shows the Comal County website, which has office details and services listed for the public.
The Clerk's Office accepts multiple payment methods. They handle property records, marriage licenses, and vital records alongside criminal case files. For felony records, you will need to contact the District Clerk. That office manages files for the district courts and handles higher-level criminal cases.
The image below shows the Comal County Sheriff's Office page, which provides law enforcement contacts and resources for the area.
Comal County has seen a lot of growth, so both the Clerk and District Clerk offices handle a high volume of filings. Plan for some wait time if you visit in person during busy periods.
Texas Police Records Resources
State databases add to what you can find in Comal County. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division runs the statewide criminal history system with over 15 million conviction records. Public searches show conviction data and deferred adjudication. Arrest records without a conviction are not available through DPS. Searches cost $3.00 per credit plus transaction fees.
The TDCJ Offender Search is a free tool. It lets you look up people in state prison or on parole by name, TDCJ number, or SID number. The database updates nightly and shows current facility, offenses, and projected release dates.
Crash reports from Comal County go through the TxDOT CRIS system. All police-reported vehicle crashes in Texas are there. Reports open up after 60 days. Certified copies are $8.00 and uncertified are $6.00.
The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement handles officer licensing. You can verify peace officer certifications through their free online tool. TCOLE tracks complaints and disciplinary actions statewide.
Victim Services in Comal County
Crime victims in Comal County can use the Texas VINE system to monitor an offender's custody status. VINE is free and available around the clock. Sign up for alerts by phone, email, or text. You get notified when someone is booked, released, transferred, or escapes from custody.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles also provides victim notification for parole hearings. Victims of crimes committed in Comal County can register for updates and provide input before a parole decision is made.
Comal County Records Fees
Fees for police records in Comal County follow the statewide schedule from the Texas Attorney General. Paper copies run $0.10 per page for letter size and $0.15 for legal. Labor charges of $15.00 per hour apply for large requests. The first 50 pages are often free when the records are straightforward to pull.
Crash reports go through TxDOT CRIS at $6.00 to $8.00 per report. Court records from the County Clerk or District Clerk may carry separate fees. Certified copies cost more.
Note: Contact the office before sending payment to confirm current fees for your specific records request.
Comal County and Open Records Law
The Texas Public Information Act governs how police records get released. Under Government Code Chapter 552, any person can request records from a government body. The body must respond promptly. If they want to withhold something, they need the Attorney General's approval first. Criminal penalties apply to officials who knowingly conceal public records.
Active investigations are the most common exception for law enforcement records. Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.139, agencies must report data on officer-involved incidents. Those reports become public after the investigation closes. Personnel files may also be exempt in certain situations.
If Comal County denies your records request, ask for the Attorney General ruling letter. You can appeal in state district court within 30 days. Call the Attorney General's open government hotline at (512) 478-6736 for help.
Cities in Comal County
Comal County includes New Braunfels, which is the county seat and the largest city. New Braunfels has its own police department that handles records for incidents inside city limits. The Sheriff's Office covers unincorporated areas and smaller communities across the county.
New Braunfels has its own police records information. For records outside New Braunfels city limits, contact the Comal County Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Comal County. Check the incident location to know which county holds the records you need.