McMullen County 72 Hour Booking Records
McMullen County 72 hour booking records require a different approach than most Texas counties because the McMullen County jail is closed. All inmates arrested in McMullen County are housed at the Live Oak County jail. If you are looking for someone booked on a 72 hour hold in McMullen County, you need to contact the Live Oak County Sheriff's Office at (361) 449-2381. McMullen County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, and the small population could not support a full-time jail operation.
McMullen County Overview
McMullen County Sheriff's Office
The McMullen County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the county, but its jail is closed. Tilden is the county seat, a tiny community in the South Texas brush country. The county covers a large area but has very few residents. Oil and gas production in the Eagle Ford Shale has brought some activity to the area, though the population remains small.
When someone is arrested in McMullen County, the Sheriff's Office transports the person to the Live Oak County jail in George West. That is where the 72 hour booking is processed. Live Oak County handles the custody records for McMullen County inmates. If you need booking details, you should contact the Live Oak County Sheriff's Office directly.
| Office | McMullen County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | Tilden, TX 78072 |
| Phone | Live Oak County: (361) 449-2381 |
Because the jail is closed, all booking records and custody status inquiries go through the Live Oak County Sheriff's Office. They can tell you if someone arrested in McMullen County is currently held on a 72 hour booking.
Search McMullen County 72 Hour Booking
To check on a booking that started in McMullen County, call the Live Oak County Sheriff at (361) 449-2381. All McMullen County inmates are housed there. The staff can look up the person's name and give you their booking status, charges, and bond information.
For statewide criminal history, use the Texas DPS Crime Records search. It costs $3 per name and shows convictions from all Texas counties. This works for McMullen County records as well. The DPS Crime Records main page has details on other types of background searches.
The DPS criminal history search covers all 254 Texas counties including McMullen County, where the local jail is closed and inmates are housed elsewhere.
Note: McMullen County's jail is closed. All inmates are held at the Live Oak County jail in George West, TX.
72 Hour Booking Hold in McMullen County
Even though McMullen County's jail is closed, the same Texas hold laws apply to anyone arrested here. Article 17.033 caps misdemeanor holds at 24 hours and felony holds at 48 hours. The state can request a 72 hour extension through a magistrate. Transport time to Live Oak County counts toward those limits.
Under Article 14.06, the arrested person must see a magistrate within 48 hours. The magistrate sets bail and advises the person of their rights, including the right to counsel. The Texas Indigent Defense Commission guidelines apply to McMullen County for appointing lawyers to those who cannot pay.
McMullen County Public Records
Booking records are public under the Texas Public Information Act. Since McMullen County inmates are held in Live Oak County, records requests may go to either county. The Attorney General's Open Government division handles disputes.
Under Section 411.135, conviction records are public. The DPS statewide search at dps.texas.gov covers McMullen County records at $3 per name.
Track McMullen County Booking Status
VINE may show McMullen County inmates under the Live Oak County listing since that is where they are physically held. Search both county names to be safe. VINE is free and sends alerts by phone, email, or text.
The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center provides guidance on magistrate procedures. The TDCJ handles inmates sentenced to state prison. Even in a county this small, the full range of Texas criminal justice procedures applies.
72 Hour Booking Hold Rules in McMullen County
Article 17.033 of the Code of Criminal Procedure sets the rules for holding someone after a warrantless arrest. A misdemeanor arrest requires release within 24 hours on a bond of no more than $5,000 if no probable cause finding has been made. For felonies, the limit is 48 hours with a $10,000 bond cap. The state can ask a magistrate to push the hold out to 72 hours. That is the basis for the 72 hour booking term.
Under Article 14.06, the person must be brought before a magistrate within 48 hours. The magistrate sets bail and advises the person of their right to counsel. McMullen County follows these rules even though inmates are housed in Live Oak County. The arrest still happens in McMullen, and the booking record stays with the McMullen County Sheriff's Office.
Public Access to McMullen County Booking Records
McMullen County booking records are public under the Texas Public Information Act. Send a request to the Sheriff's Office in Tilden. Include the person's name and arrest date. The office must respond within ten business days. Under Government Code Section 411.135, conviction data from a 72 hour booking is public. The Attorney General's Open Government page has the full handbook on making requests.
Since Live Oak County holds all McMullen County inmates, you may need to send your records request to both offices. The jail in George West keeps the physical booking log. The McMullen County Sheriff keeps the arrest report. Getting both gives you the full picture of any 72 hour booking that started in McMullen County.
Cities in McMullen County
Tilden is the county seat and the only community of note. McMullen County has no incorporated cities. All arrests are processed through the Live Oak County jail in George West.
Nearby Counties
McMullen County is in South Texas. These counties share its borders.