Houston & Gulf Coast Legal Resources
Someone you love was just arrested.
Start here.
The first hours after an arrest are the ones that matter most — and nobody hands you a manual. Below are the official lookup tools, court records portals, and county offices you'll need across Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria County. Every link goes straight to the government source. No forms, no sign-up.
The first 24 hours
Three things, in this order.
Find where they're being held
If the arrest happened in Harris County, they'll appear in the Sheriff's system within a few hours of booking. You'll need their full name and date of birth.
Find Someone in Jail →Find the charge and the bond
The charge filed and the bond amount set determine everything that happens next. Both are public record and searchable the same day.
Court & Case Info →Talk to a lawyer before they talk to police
Anything said in custody can be used at trial. Sam Cammack answers his own phone, 24 hours a day, and the first conversation is free.
📞 Call 713-224-4444Find someone in custody
County jail, state prison, and federal facilitiesHarris County Jail
- Find Someone in JailOfficial HCSO inmate lookup. Search by name or SPN number.
- Court & Case InformationCharges filed, bond amount, and upcoming court settings.
- Bonding ProcessHow to post bond and get someone released.
- Inmate VisitationScheduling and rules for in-person and video visits.
- Inmate Information Line: 713-755-5300HCSO staffed line if the online search comes up empty.
State & Federal
- TDCJ Offender SearchTexas state prison system. Needs last name plus first initial, or a TDCJ/SID number.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons LocatorFederal inmates from 1982 to present.
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of TexasFederal court covering Houston and the Gulf Coast.
Warrants & Records
- Harris County Warrant SearchClass A and Class B misdemeanor warrants only.
- Harris County Court Records SearchSearch criminal case filings, documents, and dockets.
- Today's New Criminal FilingsCases filed in Harris County today.
By county
Clerks, district attorneys, and court records across the five counties we serveHarris County
- District ClerkFelony case records, filings, and court documents.
- Criminal Courts DirectoryWhich court your case is in, and where it sits.
- Bonds InformationDistrict Clerk bond procedures and requirements.
- Bail Bond BoardVerify a bondsman is licensed before you pay anyone.
- Our Harris County Defense PageHow we handle cases at 1201 Franklin.
Montgomery County
- Montgomery County (mctx.org)County hub — district clerk, jail records, and sheriff's office.
- District AttorneyOffice prosecuting cases in Conroe and The Woodlands.
- Our Montgomery County Defense PageRepresentation in Montgomery County courts.
Fort Bend County
- District ClerkFelony records and court filings for Richmond and Sugar Land.
- District AttorneyFort Bend County prosecuting authority.
- County Services HubJail information, sheriff's office, and county clerk.
- Our Fort Bend Defense PageRepresentation in Fort Bend County courts.
Galveston County
- District AttorneyGalveston County criminal prosecution.
- County Services HubCourt records portal, jail roster, and district clerk.
- Our Galveston Defense PageRepresentation in Galveston County courts.
Brazoria County
- Inmate RecordsWho is currently held in the Brazoria County Detention Center.
- Judicial Records SearchCase lookup through the county's public access portal.
- Today's Criminal Court DocketWho is on the docket in Angleton today.
- Bail Bond OfficeLicensed bondsmen and bond procedures.
- District AttorneyBrazoria County prosecuting authority. 979-849-5711.
- Our Brazoria Defense PageRepresentation in Brazoria County courts.
City of Houston
- Houston Municipal CourtsClass C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city ordinance cases.
- Houston Police DepartmentIncident reports and HPD divisions.
- Criminal Justice Center — 1201 FranklinDirections to the Harris County criminal courthouse.
Laws, licenses & driving
Texas statutes and DPS resources, including DWI consequencesTexas Law
- Texas Penal CodeThe statute that defines your charge and its punishment range.
- Code of Criminal ProcedureThe rules governing arrest, bond, discovery, and trial.
- Texas State Law LibraryPlain-language legal guides and free research help.
- State Bar of TexasVerify any attorney's license and disciplinary history.
DPS & Driver's License
- License ReinstatementGetting your license back after a DWI or suspension.
- Ignition Interlock InformationWhen an interlock is required and how it works.
- Failure to Appear / Pay ProgramClear an OmniBase hold blocking your license renewal.
Fines, Fees & Support
- Pay Fines & Court CostsHarris County District Clerk collections and payment plans.
- Victim Notification (IVSS / VINE)Custody status notifications. Toll-free 866-268-8959, 24/7.
- Our Case ResultsVerdicts, dismissals, and no-bills from Sam's practice.
Common questions
What people ask us most in the first phone callHow do I find out if someone is in the Harris County Jail?
Use the Harris County Sheriff's Office Find Someone in Jail search. You'll need the person's full legal name, and ideally their date of birth or SPN number.
Newly arrested people usually don't appear in the system immediately — booking can take several hours. If they were arrested very recently and aren't showing up yet, call the HCSO information line at 713-755-5300, which is staffed around the clock.
How do I find out what someone has been charged with, and their bond amount?
The HCSO Court and Case Information page shows offenses and case details for people in custody. For the full court file — including filings and settings — search the Harris County District Clerk records portal.
The specific charge matters enormously. Two people arrested for what sounds like "the same thing" can face wildly different punishment ranges depending on the degree charged, prior history, and the alleged facts.
Should I post bond before or after hiring a lawyer?
You can do both, and neither one blocks the other. But talk to a lawyer first if you can — an attorney can sometimes ask the court to reduce a bond that was set too high, or seek a personal bond that doesn't require paying a bondsman at all.
If you do use a bail bondsman, verify their license through the Harris County Bail Bond Board before handing over any money.
Can I look up my own criminal record or court date?
Yes. Harris County court records are public. Search the District Clerk's records portal by name to find your case number, court, and next setting.
Missing a court date is serious — it typically triggers a bond forfeiture and a warrant for your arrest. If you've already missed one, call a lawyer the same day rather than waiting.
The police want to talk to me but I haven't been arrested. What should I do?
You are not required to speak with investigators, and you have the right to have an attorney present for any interview. "Just clearing something up" conversations are frequently how cases get built.
Being contacted before an arrest is actually the best possible moment to involve a lawyer — there's still room to influence whether charges get filed at all. Call 713-224-4444 before you agree to any interview.
My case is in Montgomery, Fort Bend, Galveston, or Brazoria County — do you handle those?
Yes. Sam Cammack practices throughout the greater Houston region, and each county has its own procedures, prosecutors, and local practice. See our dedicated pages for Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria County.
Still not sure what you're looking at?
Bring us the case number, the charge, or just the name — we'll tell you what it means and what happens next. Free consultation, 24 hours a day, no obligation.
These links are provided as a public convenience and point to third-party government websites that we do not operate or control. Their content, availability, and accuracy are outside our control, and listing them is not an endorsement. Nothing on this page is legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing charges, speak with a licensed attorney about your specific situation.