Criminal Records

Bexar County criminal records are available through several county-operated systems and offices, and the correct place to search depends on the type of record involved. The District Clerk maintains felony court records, the County Clerk is associated with misdemeanor court records, and Bexar County’s Justice Information Portal provides public access to several types of justice information that were previously handled through separate search applications. This article explains how those services fit together, what users can expect from online searches, how to request felony background checks or copies, and how to avoid confusing court records with arrest, fugitive, bail bond, or docket information.

Criminal Records by Record Type

A search for “Bexar County criminal records” can refer to several different kinds of information. Court case records, felony background checks, misdemeanor records, arrest information, court dockets, fugitive information, and bail bond information are related to the criminal justice system, but they are not interchangeable.

The Bexar County District Clerk is the official custodian of criminal felony court records. The office files, records, and preserves original records, including documents filed electronically. Its Criminal Court Division and Criminal Operations section perform additional functions associated with felony cases.

For a county criminal court record search, Bexar County directs users to its consolidated Justice Information Portal. The county also maintains a specific Online District Clerk Criminal Records page for people looking for information about accessing criminal records electronically.

Misdemeanor records fall under a different county office. Bexar County identifies County Clerk misdemeanor records separately from District Clerk civil and criminal court records. This distinction matters because a person searching only District Clerk felony information may not be looking in the appropriate system for a misdemeanor case.

Felony Court Records

The District Clerk handles criminal felony court records in Bexar County. According to the county’s Criminal Court Division information, court clerks assigned to Criminal District Courts keep cases updated as they are heard, issue warrants and directives to the jail, accept and enter pleadings in active cases, and prepare penitentiary packets following convictions when applicable.

Criminal Operations also files felony indictments, issues subpoenas, sets cases for their first settings, and processes criminal appeals and post-conviction writs. These responsibilities explain why the District Clerk should be the primary county office for questions involving felony court filings, felony records, and copies of felony case documents.

Misdemeanor Court Records

Bexar County separates County Clerk misdemeanor records from District Clerk felony records. The county’s misdemeanor records access page now directs users into the same newer Justice Information Portal used for other public justice searches.

This does not mean misdemeanor and felony records have become the responsibility of the same clerk. The portal consolidates access to information, while the underlying responsibilities of the County Clerk and District Clerk remain distinct. Users who need assistance with a particular record should therefore pay attention to whether the case is a misdemeanor or felony before contacting an office.

The Justice Information Portal

Bexar County introduced a Justice Information Portal that consolidates several applications that previously operated separately. The county states that the former Court Records Search, Fugitive Search, and Bail Bond Search applications were affected by this consolidation.

The Justice Information Portal information page provides access instructions and explains the transition. The county also provides a user guide covering portal access, advanced searches, search results, quick references for different search types, and hearing searches.

This consolidation is especially important for users returning to an old bookmark. A search page that previously handled court records, fugitive information, or bail bond information may no longer be the correct starting point. Using the current county portal information helps avoid relying on an outdated entry point.

What the Portal Provides

The Justice Information Portal is intended to give members of the public and partner government agencies convenient access to Bexar County information. It is a public information resource rather than a replacement for official records supplied directly by county offices.

The county specifically warns that information available through the website may not be complete or current and may change without notice. A portal result can therefore be useful for locating a case or reviewing publicly available information, but a user who needs an official record should obtain or confirm that record through the responsible county office.

The portal’s consolidation of different search functions also means users should identify what they are actually trying to locate. A court case search and a fugitive search answer different questions. Bail bond information is also a separate category, and Bexar County instructs people needing bail bond assistance to contact the Bail Bond Board.

Advanced Search and Hearings

The county’s portal user guide includes instructions for advanced searching, reviewing results, conducting different types of searches, and searching for hearings. These tools can be useful when a basic search does not immediately identify the intended case.

When several records involve similar names, search results should be reviewed rather than assuming the first result belongs to the correct person. The county itself advises users to determine the accuracy and suitability of information by comparing or confirming website information against official county documents when appropriate.

District Clerk Online Records

The District Clerk maintains an online criminal records option in addition to the broader portal information. Bexar County describes Online District Clerk Criminal Records as records indexed by the defendant’s last name and states that only limited information is available through this online access.

The county’s District Clerk Records page also distinguishes Criminal Court Records Search from Online District Clerk Criminal Records. The Criminal Court Records Search is described as a County Clerk and District Clerk search for criminal court case records, while the Online District Clerk Criminal Records option specifically concerns District Clerk information indexed by defendant last name.

That distinction can prevent a common search mistake. A person may assume that every online criminal-record option contains identical information. Bexar County describes separate tools with different purposes and levels of information. If one search produces limited details, that does not necessarily mean no official court record exists.

Information to Prepare

The reference material identifies the defendant’s last name as the indexing method for Online District Clerk Criminal Records. Preparing the correct spelling of that name is therefore particularly useful before beginning a search.

If a user already has information from another county record, retaining the case-related details shown there can also make it easier to compare results and determine whether the correct matter has been located. Bexar County emphasizes that users are responsible for confirming the accuracy and suitability of information obtained from its online systems.

Users should avoid treating similar names as proof of identity. Court databases may contain records involving people with matching or similar names, and the county does not represent that its website information is guaranteed to be complete, current, or suitable for every purpose.

Felony Background Checks

The District Clerk’s Criminal Operations section conducts felony background checks for Bexar County. The county lists a fee of $5 for this service.

A felony background check request may be made in person. It may also be requested by mail, but Bexar County states that payment must accompany a mailed request. This service is specifically described as a felony background check, so users should not assume that it is a general search covering every type of criminal or misdemeanor record.

Public kiosks are also available in the Criminal Operations section for on-site self-service record searches. The presence of these kiosks can be useful for people who want to conduct a record search at the county office rather than relying solely on the information available through an online portal.

Online Search Versus Background Check

An online court record search and a felony background check are separate services. The online systems allow users to look for available public case information, while Criminal Operations provides a specifically identified felony background check service for a stated fee.

This distinction matters when a person needs something more formal than an online search result. Bexar County explains that information obtained from its website is intended as a convenient supplement to official documents and services, not a replacement for records supplied directly by county offices.

For that reason, users should match the service to the purpose of their request rather than assuming that a screenshot or portal result has the same status as a record or service obtained directly from the District Clerk.

Copies of Felony Records

Copies involving felony matters are requested through the District Clerk’s Criminal Operations section. Bexar County states that both plain copies and certified copies cost $1 per page.

Copy requests may be made in person, by fax, or by mail. Copies are made only after payment has been received. For payments sent through the mail, the county accepts cashier’s checks and money orders.

These requirements are separate from the $5 felony background check fee. A background check and a request for copies serve different purposes and have different charges. Someone seeking actual pages from a felony case should therefore follow the copy procedure rather than treating the background check fee as payment for court documents.

Plain and Certified Copies

Bexar County lists the same per-page charge for plain and certified felony copies. A user requesting documents should identify which type of copy is needed before submitting the request so the office can process the appropriate record request.

The county does not describe online portal information as a substitute for an official copy. When records will be used for a purpose that requires official documentation, the safest approach is to obtain the appropriate copy directly from the custodian rather than relying on a public search display.

Court Dockets and Case Records

Criminal court records and court dockets are related but serve different purposes. A record search is used to locate criminal court case information, while a docket shows court matters that have been scheduled or posted.

Bexar County provides an online court dockets page associated with the Justice Information Portal. The District Clerk Records page states that criminal and civil dockets are posted online by the District Clerk’s Office.

A user looking for a hearing date or scheduled court activity should therefore recognize that a docket search may be more relevant than a general criminal-record search. Conversely, a docket entry should not be treated as the complete case record. The portal’s user guide specifically includes instructions for searching hearings, which can help when scheduling information is the main objective.

Arrest and Court Information

Bexar County’s District Clerk Records page also identifies a Central Magistrate Search for individuals who have been arrested within the last 24 hours. This is different from searching felony court records maintained by the District Clerk.

An arrest search concerns recent arrest information, while a criminal court record concerns a case maintained within the court system. A person searching for someone recently arrested should not assume that the same information will immediately appear in an online District Clerk criminal record search.

Likewise, fugitive information and bail bond information were historically accessed through separate applications before being consolidated into the newer Justice Information Portal. Each category should be treated according to its purpose rather than as a substitute for the others.

Official Records and Online Results

Bexar County describes its online information as a free and convenient public resource, but the county expressly states that website information is supplemental to official documents, information, and services provided by county offices.

The county also states that information may be compiled from multiple sources, may not be complete or current, and can change without notice. This limitation is especially relevant when users are reviewing criminal records involving significant personal, employment, court, or administrative matters.

Users should therefore distinguish between locating information and verifying information. The online tools are useful for identifying records, reviewing case information, and checking public data. Verification may require comparison with official county documents or a request made directly to the office that is the custodian of the record.

Limited Online Information

The District Clerk specifically states that its Online District Clerk Criminal Records contain limited information. A sparse search result should not automatically be interpreted as a full account of a criminal case.

When the available online material does not provide the needed document, the District Clerk’s Criminal Operations section handles copies for felony matters. The county also provides public kiosks for on-site self-service record searches.

Common Criminal Record Mistakes

Several avoidable problems can make a Bexar County criminal-record search less useful. Most result from using the wrong record category or assuming that one search service covers every part of the criminal justice system.

Searching the wrong clerk: District Clerk records concern felony court matters, while County Clerk misdemeanor records are identified separately by the county.

Using an outdated search bookmark: Bexar County consolidated Court Records Search, Fugitive Search, and Bail Bond Search functions into the newer Justice Information Portal.

Treating portal data as an official record: The county states that website information supplements rather than replaces official documents from county offices.

Confusing arrest information with a court record: Central Magistrate Search is intended for people arrested within the last 24 hours and is not the same as a felony case record search.

Confusing dockets with complete case files: A docket concerns scheduled or posted court activity, while criminal case records contain different case information.

Assuming online records are complete: The District Clerk describes its online criminal records as limited information, and the county warns that website information may not always be complete or current.

Mixing fees between services: The felony background check costs $5, while plain and certified felony record copies cost $1 per page.

Mailing a request without the required payment: Mailed felony background-check requests require payment, and mailed copy payments may be made by cashier’s check or money order.

Requests Through Criminal Operations

Criminal Operations is the District Clerk section associated with several functions that extend beyond simply looking up a case online. It files felony indictments, issues subpoenas, handles first settings, processes criminal appeals and post-conviction writs, conducts felony background checks, and supplies copies for felony matters.

This makes Criminal Operations the relevant District Clerk section when a user needs a felony background check or actual copies rather than basic online case information. Public kiosks located in the section also support self-service searches at the office.

Documents filed by defense attorneys in existing cases may be filed directly with the court to which the case has been assigned. That filing procedure is distinct from a public record request and should not be confused with obtaining copies or performing a background check.

Clerk Assistance and Legal Questions

Bexar County directs users needing assistance with Justice Information Portal matters to the County Clerk or District Clerk, depending on the record involved. For felony court records and District Clerk criminal matters, the District Clerk’s Office is the relevant county office.

District Clerk employees cannot give legal advice. The Criminal Court Division page explains that Texas law restricts the practice of law to authorized persons and prevents office employees from providing services that require legal judgment or legal skill.

Clerk staff can perform the administrative and record-related duties assigned to the office, but users should not expect staff to interpret the legal effect of a case, recommend legal action, prepare legal documents for a party, or provide an opinion about what a court record means for a particular situation.

Accessibility for Record Searches

Bexar County provides an accessibility contact for people who use assistive technology and encounter a website format that interferes with access to county materials. The county asks users requesting accessibility assistance to identify the nature of the problem, the preferred format, the web address of the material, and their contact information.

The county also provides an Accessibility Assistance directory page for its ADA Coordinator. This service concerns access to county website information and should not be confused with assistance interpreting a criminal record or receiving legal advice.

Criminal Records Offices

Criminal Filing (Felony Cases)
Paul Elizondo Tower
101 W. Nueva St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2591
Bexar County Courthouse
100 Dolorosa
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-335-2011

Criminal Records FAQs

Is there a guide for using the criminal records portal?

Yes. Bexar County provides both written instructions and portal training for users who are unsure how to navigate the current system. The official Justice Information Portal page links to a user guide covering portal access, advanced search functions, search results, different search types, and hearing searches. The county also provides a training video. These instructions are worth reviewing when a search returns too many results or the available fields are unclear.

Can I look up an attorney connected with a criminal case?

Bexar County maintains an Attorney Database as a separate records tool. According to the District Clerk records page, the database allows an attorney search by name or bar number. This tool should not be confused with the criminal court case search. If the goal is to locate the attorney rather than search the defendant's criminal case record, the Attorney Database is the more appropriate starting point. Case information should still be checked through the county's criminal court records tools.

Does the District Clerk keep electronically filed felony documents?

Yes. The District Clerk states that it files, records, and preserves original records, including documents submitted electronically, and serves as the official custodian for criminal felony court records. This is important when a user needs to determine where an electronically filed felony document is officially maintained. The District Clerk's Office provides the county's official information about the office responsible for managing these records.

Can clerk employees explain what a criminal filing means?

No. The Criminal Court Division states that District Clerk employees may not provide legal advice. Clerk staff can perform their assigned record and court-administration duties, but questions requiring legal judgment, interpretation of a filing, or advice about what action to take fall outside those duties. Users who only need to locate or obtain a record can still use the county's record services without asking staff to interpret its legal effect.