Burleson County Jail Records
Burleson County recent bookings are processed at the county jail in Caldwell, the county seat. Located in the Brazos Valley region of central Texas, Burleson County has a population of about 18,000 people. The county sits between Bryan-College Station and Austin along Highway 21 and Highway 36. Caldwell is the main town, and Somerville is the other notable community. The Sheriff's Office operates the jail and handles all bookings from local agencies. Booking information is public under Texas law and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or court records systems.
Burleson County Overview
Burleson County Sheriff's Office Recent Bookings
The Burleson County Sheriff's Office runs the jail in Caldwell. All arrests in the county come through this facility. The sheriff's deputies, Caldwell PD, Somerville PD, constables, and DPS troopers all bring people here for processing. During booking, staff record the person's name, date of birth, charges, arresting agency, and bond information.
Texas law governs how arrests work. The Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 14 allows officers to arrest without a warrant for offenses they see happen. Article 14.03 adds warrantless arrest authority for family violence, protective order violations, and certain assaults. After arrest, Article 15.17 says the person must appear before a magistrate within 48 hours for a bail hearing.
You can contact the Burleson County jail by phone to ask about someone in custody. Staff will confirm whether the person is there, share the charges, and tell you the bond amount. For a county of this size, a phone call is the fastest way to get answers about a recent arrest.
Burleson County is also home to a TDCJ unit. The Burleson County facility serves as a state-operated unit. Keep in mind that state prison inmates are separate from county jail detainees. People in the county jail are local arrests, pretrial detainees, and those serving short sentences. TDCJ inmates are a different population entirely.
| Office | Burleson County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Caldwell, TX |
| District Court | 21st Judicial District Court |
Court Records from Burleson County Recent Bookings
After a booking, cases move to court if charges are filed. Burleson County is part of the 21st Judicial District, which also covers Lee and Washington counties. The district judge handles felony cases. Misdemeanors go to the County Court, where the county judge presides.
Use re:SearchTX to look up Burleson County court records. Enter a name and find case details, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. The District Clerk in Caldwell has felony case files. The County Clerk manages misdemeanor records. Both offices are in the courthouse.
These records are public under the Texas Public Information Act, Government Code Chapter 552. Section 552.021 gives everyone the right to access government records without providing a reason. Booking data like names, charges, and bond amounts is standard public information. The exception in Section 552.108 applies only when releasing information would interfere with an active law enforcement case.
Burleson County appeals go to the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco. The Texas Judicial Branch site has information about the appellate courts and published opinions.
TDCJ and State Prison Records
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice runs the state prison system. When someone is convicted in Burleson County and sentenced to prison, they transfer from the county jail to a TDCJ unit.
The following image shows the TDCJ inmate search system, which covers people in state custody rather than county jail detainees.
Use the TDCJ inmate search to find people in state prison. This is a separate database from the county jail. If you are looking for someone who was arrested in Burleson County but has already been sentenced and transferred, TDCJ is where you need to search. The tool lets you search by name, TDCJ number, or SID number.
How to Find Burleson County Recent Bookings
Start with the jail. Call the Burleson County Sheriff's Office and ask about the person you are looking for. They can tell you if someone is in custody, what they are charged with, and what bond has been set.
For court records, use re:SearchTX and filter for Burleson County. The results show charges, court dates, and case status. You can also visit the courthouse in Caldwell during business hours. The clerks can help you find specific records.
- Call the Burleson County jail for current inmate information
- Search re:SearchTX for court case records
- Visit the courthouse in Caldwell for case files
- Use TDCJ inmate search for people in state prison
- Submit a written public information request under Chapter 552
Written requests under the Public Information Act are another option. Send your request to the custodian of records at the Sheriff's Office or the appropriate clerk's office. The agency has 10 business days to respond. Most booking data is released without issue.
Felony Sentencing in Burleson County
The Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 sets punishment ranges for all felonies. First degree: 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Second degree: 2 to 20 years. Third degree: 2 to 10 years. State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail.
Misdemeanor penalties are lighter. Class A carries up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. Class B means up to 180 days and $2,000. Class C is fine-only, up to $500.
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission monitors court-appointed counsel in Burleson County. If a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, Article 1.051 of the Code of Criminal Procedure lets them apply for an appointed attorney. The judge reviews a financial affidavit and makes the decision. TIDC publishes data on how fast attorneys are appointed and how much is spent per case in every Texas county.
Recent Bookings and Local Arrest Trends
Burleson County's booking patterns reflect its rural character. DWI is one of the most common charges. Under Penal Code Section 49.04, first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. Repeat offenses escalate quickly. Drug possession charges under Health and Safety Code Chapter 481 also appear regularly, with methamphetamine being the most frequent substance.
The county sits between Bryan-College Station and Austin. Highway 21 and Highway 36 run through the area and carry steady traffic. Law enforcement makes stops along these corridors that sometimes lead to arrests. Theft, warrant service, and family violence cases round out the typical charges in the booking log.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspects the Burleson County jail annually. TCJS monitors compliance with state rules on capacity, conditions, and inmate care. Their inspection reports are public. The Local Government Code Chapter 201 authorizes counties to enter interlocal agreements for jail services when needed, which smaller counties sometimes use to manage overflow.
Cities in Burleson County
Caldwell is the county seat with a population of about 4,500. Somerville sits near Lake Somerville in the southern part of the county. No city in Burleson County has a population over 100,000. All local law enforcement agencies bring arrested persons to the county jail in Caldwell for booking.
Nearby Counties
Burleson County borders several Brazos Valley counties. Each has its own booking system and jail. Check the arrest location before you search.