Warrant records are public in Travis County, Texas, pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This legislation establishes that governmental bodies must provide access to public information, including warrant records, to ensure transparency and accountability within the judicial system. The Act specifically designates that records of arrests, criminal charges, and dispositions are considered public information under § 552.021.
Members of the public may access warrant information as part of their right to monitor governmental activities. The Travis County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law requirements. Public access to warrant information serves the dual purpose of informing citizens about law enforcement activities and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process through public oversight.
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would compromise public safety as outlined in § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
Warrant records maintained by Travis County authorities typically contain the following information as required by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 15:
These records are maintained in the Travis County judicial information system in accordance with Texas record retention schedules established under Local Government Code § 203.041.
Travis County provides several no-cost methods for conducting warrant searches in compliance with the Texas Public Information Act:
Individuals seeking warrant information must provide sufficient identifying information to facilitate an accurate search. The Travis County Clerk's Office maintains public terminals that allow for searches of court records, including active warrants, at no charge during regular business hours.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the unincorporated areas of Travis County. Sheriff warrants are issued pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 15, which authorizes peace officers to execute arrest warrants throughout the county.
The Sheriff's Warrant Division, located at 5555 Airport Boulevard, Austin, TX 78751, processes and serves various types of warrants including:
The execution of warrants follows strict procedural guidelines established under Texas law. Deputies must identify themselves, state their purpose, and present the warrant when practicable. The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrant section that can be reached at (512) 854-9033 for inquiries regarding active warrants.
Travis County residents seeking to determine their warrant status have multiple verification methods available through official channels:
Individuals with active warrants may have options for resolution depending on the nature of the warrant. For Class C misdemeanor warrants, payment plans or community service arrangements may be available through the appropriate Justice of the Peace court. For more serious offenses, individuals may need to surrender at the Travis County Jail located at 500 W. 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701.
The Travis County Pretrial Services Department, located at 700 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701, can provide information about bond procedures for those with active warrants.
Travis County maintains several official channels through which individuals and authorized parties may verify outstanding warrant status:
When conducting a warrant search, requestors should provide accurate identifying information including full legal name and date of birth. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 552.023, individuals have the right to request information about themselves, including warrant status.
For warrants issued by municipal courts within Travis County, separate inquiries may need to be made with the respective municipal court, such as the Austin Municipal Court located at 700 E. 7th Street, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 974-4800.
Travis County provides multiple resources for accessing warrant information through official channels:
Travis County Sheriff's Office
5555 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 854-9770
Official Website
Travis County District Clerk
1000 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-9457
Official Website
Travis County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5
1000 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 854-9049
Official Website