Bexar County Arrest Records & Jail Inmate Search

1. The First 24 Hours in San Antonio: Action Checklist

The Bexar County Adult Detention Center processes hundreds of inmates daily. Things move slowly. Do not immediately pay a bail bondsman until you complete these critical steps.

• Verify Custody Independently: Use the official Bexar County links below to confirm they are actually at the 200 N Comal St facility and haven’t been released.
• Wait for the Central Magistrate (CMAG): In Bexar County, an inmate must see a Magistrate Judge to have their charges formally read and bail officially set. They cannot bond out before this process is complete.
• Gather the SID / Booking Number: Write down their Full Legal Name, Date of Birth, and their SID (State Identification Document) Number or Booking Number. You will need this for lawyers, bail bondsmen, and adding commissary funds.
• Call a Bexar County Defense Attorney FIRST: A local San Antonio attorney can often intervene early, potentially arguing to get the bond lowered or securing a PR bond, saving you thousands of dollars in non-refundable bondsman fees.

2. Verify Custody: Official Bexar County Contacts

Before doing anything, verify the individual is actually in the custody of Bexar County. Most recent arrests in the county are processed through the Central Magistrate Office located in the South Tower of the main jail.

3. Step-by-Step: Central Magistrate & Jail Inmate Search

If you are looking for Bexar County mugshots or want to confirm the exact criminal charges and bond amounts, follow these steps.

Method A: The Central Magistrate Search (Arrests within 24 Hours)

1. If the arrest just happened, go to the Bexar County Central Magistrate Search page.
2. This log displays individuals arrested for a Class B misdemeanor or higher who have been processed within the last 24 hours.
3. Locate the individual to find their Booking Number, SID, and exactly what their Bail Amount is.

Method B: The Justice Information Portal (Older Arrests & Court Records)

1. If they have been in jail for more than 24 hours, use the New Bexar County Justice Information Portal.
2. Search using the person’s Last Name and First Name to find their active court case, assigned judge, and custody status.

Method C: Using Arrests.org Texas (Aggregator)

If the official Bexar County sites are undergoing maintenance, you can use third-party aggregators to view recent San Antonio area mugshots.

1. Open texas.arrests.org.
2. Type the individual’s name and specifically set the county filter to “Bexar”.
3. Click the profile to view the mugshot and charge description. Note: Private sites may have a 12 to 24-hour delay compared to the official Bexar County booking log.

4. Bail & Magistration (CMAG) in Bexar County

Once an individual is brought into custody at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, they must be magistrated.

• Cash Bond: You pay the full bail amount directly to the Bexar County Clerk. You receive this money back when the case concludes, provided all court dates are met.
• Surety Bond: You pay a San Antonio Bail Bondsman a non-refundable fee (typically 10%). If bail is $5,000, you pay $500. You do not get this back.
• PR Bond (Personal Recognizance): A judge releases the inmate on their promise to appear in court without requiring upfront cash.

5. Bexar County Jail Video Visitation Rules

The Bexar County Adult Detention Center has transitioned almost entirely to Video Visitation. Traditional face-to-face visits through plexiglass are generally a thing of the past.

• Valid ID Required: You must present an unexpired, government-issued photo ID.
• Dress Code Applies to Video: Even on a remote video call, a conservative dress code is strictly enforced. No revealing clothing or nudity. Violations will result in the call being terminated and your account suspended.
• Warrant Check: Do not visit the onsite terminals if you have outstanding warrants in Bexar County. You will be arrested on the spot.

6. Commissary & Setting Up Inmate Phone Calls

To buy hygiene products, extra food, or make phone calls, the inmate needs funds deposited into their specific accounts. You will need their SID / Booking Number to do this.

7. How to Erase Bexar County Mugshots

If your case was completely dismissed, no-billed by a grand jury, or you successfully completed deferred adjudication, you may be eligible to have your record and mugshot removed from public view via an Expunction or an Order of Nondisclosure.

Once a Bexar County judge signs your expunction order, the county will destroy the records. You can then submit a copy of this signed order to third-party sites like Arrests.org via their “Opt-Out” page, and by law, they must remove your mugshot for free.

8. San Antonio Bail Fee Estimator Tool

Bexar County FAQ