Criminal records in Comal County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels. ComalCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Comal County. Additional access points include the official court systems such as the Comal County District Court, the Comal County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's office. Statewide criminal history searches are also available through the Texas Department of Public Safety.
How to Search Criminal Records in Comal
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Comal County. To begin a search, you will generally need the person's full legal name. A date of birth, case number, or offense date can help narrow results.
Online Search Options
- ComalCourt.us — Search for publicly available Comal County court record information, including criminal cases.
- Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search — The Texas Department of Public Safety offers a statewide criminal history search by name. This returns Texas conviction and deferred adjudication records.
- Comal County Jail Records — The Sheriff's Office provides background checks for Comal County residents. These searches return Comal County information only and do not include federal or out-of-state records.
- Wanted Suspects list — The Comal County Sheriff's Office publishes a list of active arrest warrants through Comal County Crime Stoppers.
- TDCJ Inmate Search — For individuals sentenced to state prison, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains an online offender lookup.
In Person
Visit the Comal County Clerk's office at the courthouse to search court records using public access terminals. The county clerk maintains case records from the county courts and county courts at law, including criminal cases. District court criminal records are maintained by the district clerk.
By Mail or Written Request
- County-level records: Submit a written request to the Comal County Clerk or District Clerk at the courthouse address above. Include the individual's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record requested.
- Statewide criminal history: Mail a request to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Fingerprint-based searches provide the most complete results. Written requests should follow the DPS public information request guidelines.
Search Comal Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, you can look up a specific criminal case directly. Texas case numbers typically follow a format that identifies the court type and filing sequence. In Comal County, case numbers may include:
- A prefix or letter code indicating the court level — for example, "CR" often denotes a criminal case in district court, while county court criminal cases may use a different prefix.
- A year indicator — usually two or four digits representing the year the case was filed.
- A sequential filing number — assigned in the order the case was received by the clerk.
For example, a case number like CR2024-1234 would indicate a criminal case filed in 2024, with 1234 as the sequential number. When searching by case number through the clerk's office or an online portal, enter the number exactly as it appears on court documents, including any dashes or letter prefixes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Comal
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Texas Penal Code section or other statute the defendant is charged under (e.g., Penal Code § 22.01 for assault) |
| Severity | Felony (capital, first through third degree, state jail felony), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced, increased, or modified by the prosecution before or during trial |
Case Status
- Pending — Case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Case is currently being adjudicated; hearings or trial may be scheduled
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All proceedings, including sentencing and post-trial motions, are complete
Hearings
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — Used in felony cases to determine whether probable cause exists (may be waived if a grand jury indicts)
- Pre-trial hearing — Addresses motions, plea negotiations, and scheduling before trial
- Trial — Presentation of evidence before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — Court imposes punishment following a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Monitors compliance with probation, deferred adjudication, or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Deferred adjudication — Defendant placed on community supervision; if completed successfully, no final conviction is entered (common in Texas)
- Acquitted — Formal finding of not guilty
- Nolo contendere — Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes
Records that have been subject to expunction or an order of nondisclosure may not appear in public searches.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Comal
County Clerk / District Clerk
Certified copies of criminal court records — including judgments, dispositions, and case filings — are available from the Comal County Clerk (for county court cases) or the District Clerk (for district court cases).
How to request:
- In person — Visit the County Clerk's office at the Comal County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the clerk's office at the address below. Include the defendant's full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and the specific document requested. Enclose payment for applicable fees.
Comal County Sheriff's Office
The Comal County Jail Records division provides background checks for Comal County residents. Requests can be submitted through the Sheriff's Office open records request process. These searches return Comal County jail and arrest information only.
Texas DPS (Statewide Criminal History)
For a statewide criminal history report, submit a request through the Texas DPS Crime Records Services. Name-based searches can be completed online. Fingerprint-based searches require submission of a fingerprint card to DPS.
You will need:
- Subject's full legal name and date of birth
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Completed request form (available from DPS or the clerk's office)
- Payment for applicable fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Comal
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document copies (per page) | $1.00 | Texas Local Government Code § 118.052 (county clerk fees) |
| Certified copy — first page | $5.00 | Texas Local Government Code § 118.052 |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $1.00 | Texas Local Government Code § 118.052 |
| Texas DPS name-based criminal history search | $3.00 | Paid online at the DPS Criminal History Search portal |
| Texas DPS fingerprint-based criminal history | Varies | Contact DPS Crime Records for current pricing |
| Comal County Jail background check | Contact Sheriff's Office | Fee may apply; confirm with the jail records division at 830-620-3400 |
Processing Times
- Online DPS name search: Results are typically available immediately or within minutes.
- In-person clerk requests: Simple copy requests are often fulfilled the same day. Certified copies may take one to several business days depending on volume.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for processing, plus mailing time. Complex or older records may take longer.
- Open records requests (Sheriff's Office): Under the Texas Public Information Act, government bodies must respond within 10 business days, though actual delivery may vary.