Access Austin Recent Arrests
Austin recent arrests are processed through the Travis County jail system. The Austin Police Department makes arrests within the city limits and books people into the Travis County Jail in downtown Austin or the Correctional Complex in Del Valle. You can search for recent arrests online through the Travis County inmate lookup tool, or submit a records request directly to APD. As the state capital and one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, Austin processes a significant number of arrests each year across a wide range of offenses.
Austin Overview
Austin Arrest Processing
APD arrests go to the Travis County jail system. The downtown jail sits at 500 West 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701. The Travis County Correctional Complex is at 3614 Bill Price Road in Del Valle. The downtown facility holds Travis County arrests only. If someone you are looking for is not in the Travis County system, check neighboring counties like Williamson and Hays.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office runs the jail and provides a free online inmate search tool. You can look up people by name, and the system runs around the clock. Results show the charge, where the person is held, arrest date and time, whether they have been before a magistrate, bond amounts, bond types, and case disposition. Court dates appear when scheduled.
| APD Headquarters | 715 E 8th Street Austin, TX 78701 |
|---|---|
| Report Sales | (512) 974-5499 |
| Non-Emergency | 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000 |
| Sheriff Jail Info | (512) 854-4180 (24/7) |
APD also has an open records portal where you can create a customer account to submit and track requests. Email public.information@austintexas.gov for questions about public information requests. Police reports can be purchased at the main headquarters for $6 each. Most reports are ready within two to three business days.
Search Austin Recent Arrests Online
The Travis County inmate search is the fastest way to find recent arrests in Austin. The tool is free and available 24/7. Just enter a last name or the first few letters to start a search. Results update regularly as new bookings come in. Bond information shows up once the magistrate sets it.
The screenshot below shows the APD open records page where you can start an information request for arrest data.
For formal records requests, APD follows the Texas Public Information Act. They have to respond within 10 business days. Under Government Code Chapter 552, basic arrest info is always public. That covers the arrested person's name, age, address, race, sex, and occupation. It also includes the arrest date, time, place, charges, booking details, bond data, and the names of arresting officers. Section 552.108(c) says these details cannot be withheld.
Reports tied to active investigations may have some information redacted. But the basic arrest data listed above must still come out. Body camera footage requests go through a separate review process. Juvenile records stay confidential under Texas law. Sexual assault victim information is also protected.
The Travis County arrest records search page below shows the inmate and jail information lookup tool provided by the sheriff's office.
Austin Arrest Types and Units
APD has several specialized units that make arrests across different crime categories. The Homicide Unit, Robbery Unit, and Special Investigations division all contribute to the city's arrest numbers. Recent arrests have covered violent crimes, drug offenses, property crimes, and more. Crime statistics get published monthly so you can see trends over time.
The APD Incident Report Database gives you the public portion of police reports. For questions about specific reports, call 512-974-5212 or 512-974-5499. The general police line is 512-974-5407. Some reports require a formal open records request instead of a simple purchase. That depends on the case type and whether the investigation is still active.
Online crime reports and statistics are available through the APD website. Accident reports go through the TxDOT system and are separate from arrest records. If you need an accident report, use the statewide TxDOT online portal instead of going through APD.
Statewide Arrest Search Tools
Beyond local Austin resources, several statewide tools cover arrest records. The DPS Crime Records Division collects arrest data from every law enforcement agency in Texas. Agencies must report arrests within seven days. The data goes into the Computerized Criminal History System, covering Class B misdemeanors and up.
The DPS Criminal History portal lets you search that database for $3.00 per query. You need at least a first and last name. Adding a date of birth helps narrow results. Under Government Code 411, Section 411.135, public searches only return convictions and deferred adjudications. DPS says fingerprint checks are the most reliable way to match a person to a record.
The TDCJ Inmate Search covers state prison inmates. People serving under one year stay in county jail. Longer sentences go to state prison. The general TDCJ info line is 800-535-0283. The Texas Judicial Branch Case Search handles appellate courts only, not trial courts. For trial level cases in Travis County, use the local District Clerk's online tools.
If an agency does not respond to your records request within 10 business days, contact the Texas Attorney General's Open Records Division for help.
Travis County Recent Arrests
Austin is the county seat of Travis County. The county jail system and courts handle all Austin arrest processing. Visit the Travis County page for more on the sheriff's jail facilities, inmate search, and how the county court system works.
Nearby Cities
Several cities near Austin have their own police departments and arrest records. Some fall in Travis County while others are in Williamson or Hays counties.