Matagorda County 72 Hour Booking
Matagorda County 72 hour booking records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Bay City. This Gulf Coast county covers a wide area along the Colorado River and Matagorda Bay. The jail processes arrests from county deputies, the Bay City Police Department, and other local agencies. You can search for current inmates online or call (979) 245-5526 for booking details. The county maintains public access to booking records under the Texas Public Information Act.
Matagorda County Overview
Matagorda County Sheriff's Office
The Matagorda County Sheriff's Office runs the jail in Bay City and books all inmates for the county. Bay City is the county seat and the largest town. The county stretches from the Gulf Coast inland, covering farming communities, coastal towns, and industrial areas along the Colorado River.
The office also serves Palacios, Markham, and other communities in the county. All arrests from any police department within Matagorda County end up at the county jail for booking. The staff tracks 72 hour holds and other custody records.
| Office | Matagorda County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | Bay City, TX 77414 |
| Phone | (979) 245-5526 |
| Website | co.matagorda.tx.us |
Call the office for the latest custody data. They can tell you if someone is currently held on a 72 hour booking and what the charges are.
Search Matagorda County Booking Records
Matagorda County has an online search option for current inmates. Check the county website for access to the jail roster. The system shows names, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts for people currently in the jail.
You can also call (979) 245-5526. The jail staff can look up any current booking by name. For statewide criminal history, the Texas DPS Crime Records search costs $3 per name. It pulls records from all 254 counties.
The Matagorda County official website provides links to county departments and the Sheriff's Office.
From this portal you can access the jail roster and contact information for the Matagorda County Sheriff's Office in Bay City.
Note: The online roster shows current inmates only. People who have been released may not appear in the live system.
Matagorda County 72 Hour Hold Laws
Texas law sets strict time limits on holds after warrantless arrests. Under Article 17.033, misdemeanor arrestees must be released within 24 hours on a bond capped at $5,000 if probable cause has not been found. Felony holds allow up to 48 hours with a $10,000 bond limit.
A magistrate can extend the hold to 72 hours at the request of the state. This extension is not automatic. Someone from the prosecution has to ask for it. In Matagorda County, the local justice of the peace or county judge handles these hearings. Article 14.06 requires every arrested person to see a magistrate within 48 hours for bail setting and advisement of rights.
If the arrested person cannot afford a lawyer, the court appoints one. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission sets the rules for how Matagorda County handles these appointments.
Public Access to Matagorda County Records
Booking records are public in Matagorda County. The Texas Public Information Act gives anyone the right to request arrest and booking data. No explanation needed.
Send requests to the Sheriff's Office by phone, mail, or in person. They have ten business days to respond. The Attorney General's Open Government division handles disputes over denied requests.
Under Section 411.135, conviction records are public. The DPS Crime Records Service provides statewide searches at $3 per name. Records tied to active investigations may be withheld under Section 552.108.
Track Matagorda County Booking Status
VINE tracks custody status for Matagorda County inmates at no cost. Search by name and sign up for notifications when someone's status changes. Alerts come by phone, email, or text. VINE is useful for tracking a 72 hour booking hold in Matagorda County. If the person is released on bond or the hold expires, you get a notice right away. The system runs around the clock in both English and Spanish. You can track more than one person at a time if you need to.
The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center trains magistrates on 72 hour hold procedures. The TDCJ manages inmates transferred to state prison from the Matagorda County jail system.
You can also file a public records request for Matagorda County 72 hour booking data. Send a written request to the Sheriff's Office in Bay City. Give the full name of the person and the arrest date. The office must respond within ten business days. Copies may cost a small fee. Under Texas Government Code Section 411.135, conviction records tied to a 72 hour booking are classified as public. The DPS Criminal History search covers Matagorda County records for $3 per name. You do not need to live in Texas or give a reason for your request. The Attorney General's Open Government page has a handbook that covers request procedures, fees, and how to appeal if you are denied access to a record.
Matagorda County sits on the Gulf Coast and covers a wide area including Bay City, Palacios, and several smaller communities. The Sheriff's Office handles booking for all law enforcement agencies in the county. Whether the arrest is made by city police or a county deputy, the 72 hour booking goes through the same jail in Bay City. The jail logs the charges, takes a photo, and enters the data into state systems. That starts the clock on the hold period.
Cities in Matagorda County
Bay City is the county seat. The county also includes Palacios, Markham, and Wadsworth. All arrests go through the Matagorda County jail in Bay City.
Nearby Counties
Matagorda County sits along the Gulf Coast. These counties share borders with Matagorda County.