Sandra Bland’s mugshot was taken at the Waller County Jail in Hempstead, Texas, operated and managed by the Waller County Sheriff’s Office, following her arrest on July 10, 2015.
All booking records and mugshots are public records under the Texas Public Information Act. Sandra Bland, like every individual in arrest records, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Official Waller County Records & Contact Directory
Agency |
Physical Address |
Phone |
Portal Status |
Direct Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Waller County Sheriff’s Office / Waller County Jail |
100 Sheriff R. Glenn Smith Drive, Hempstead, TX 77445 |
(979) 826-8282 |
Live/Public (Current) |
|
Waller County Public Access Portal (Court Records) |
836 Austin Street, Hempstead, TX 77445 |
(979) 826-7710 |
Public Access |
Our team verified all links and contact details on February 26, 2026. Current Sheriff is Troy Guidry.
How to Access Sandra Bland Mugshot & Records (Verified Steps)
- Visit the Waller County Public Access Portal for 2015 case-related documents.
- Search using “Bland, Sandra Annette” or the associated 2015 case number.
- The mugshot image itself is available in public news archives from official 2015 releases by Waller County officials.
- For archived booking documents or copies of the original photo, submit a Public Information Act request to the Waller County Sheriff’s Office.
- Cross-reference with the released booking video and arrest affidavit available in public document repositories.
- Check major news archives (Texas Tribune, Houston Chronicle, DocumentCloud) for the highest-resolution official version.
Human Tip: The original mugshot shows visible swelling around the right eye.
In July 2015, Waller County released several hours of booking video clearly showing Sandra Bland alive and conscious during the entire intake process, including when the photo was taken.
Analyzing the Booking Log – Data Transparency
The July 10, 2015 booking record showed:
- Mugshot photo (standard frontal view)
- Full name: Sandra Annette Bland
- DOB: February 7, 1987 (age 28 at time of arrest)
- Booking date and time: July 10, 2015
- Arresting agency: Texas Department of Public Safety (Trooper Brian Encinia)
- Primary charge: Assault on a Public Servant (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Bond amount: $5,000
- Current status at time: Held at Waller County Jail
She was found unresponsive in her cell on July 13, 2015. The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide by hanging.
Bail & Financial Release Procedures (2015 Context)
Texas law in 2015 used cash bonds and surety bonds (10% non-refundable fee to a licensed bondsman).
At the Waller County Jail bond window, cash, cashier’s checks, and money orders were accepted. No personal checks. Credit/debit cards were limited or unavailable at the physical window.
Warning: Even if bond had been posted, additional administrative or court fees were common.
Inmate Services (Historical Context)
In 2015, the Waller County Jail used standard landline phone systems for inmate calls (collect or prepaid accounts through the jail’s provider at the time).
All incoming mail was opened and inspected for contraband. Physical letters and packages were processed through the U.S. Postal Service to the jail address.
Warning: No cash, stamps, food, or prohibited items were allowed.
Legal & Reputation Survival
The case resulted in a $1.9 million wrongful death settlement paid to Sandra Bland’s family in September 2016 by Waller County and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
It also prompted passage of the Sandra Bland Act (Senate Bill 1849) in 2017, which improved jail mental-health screening, observation standards, and police de-escalation training across Texas.
For current expungement or sealing information in Texas, consult the Waller County District Clerk or a licensed Texas attorney.
For a lawyer referral, contact the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-933-4673.
Frequently Asked Questions (The “Reality Check”)
- Why did the mugshot become so widely known? The image, combined with the circumstances of her death three days later, became a focal point in national conversations about policing, jail conditions, and racial justice in 2015.
- Is the mugshot authentic? Yes. Waller County officials released booking video in July 2015 showing Sandra Bland alive and participating in the mugshot process.
- Can the mugshot be removed from the internet? As an official public record, it remains widely available in news archives and document repositories. Predatory “removal” services have no authority over authentic government records.