Reporting & Next Steps

Where Do I Report?

Jurisdiction & Reporting Location

Where a crime or emergency occurs generally determines which law enforcement agency will have primary responsibility for responding and investigating. Jurisdiction can vary depending on the location and circumstances of an incident, and more than one law enforcement agency may respond.

On UT Campus and Facilities

UTPD has primary law-enforcement responsibility for University of Texas property and facilities. If an incident occurs on UT property, UTPD will generally be the agency responding and processing the incident.

West Campus

West Campus is an area where UTPD and the Austin Police Department (APD) work closely together. Depending on the location and circumstances, an incident in West Campus may receive a response from UTPD, APD, or both agencies. Officers responding to the scene should clarify which agency will be the primary agency responsible for the incident or investigation.

UTPD also maintains a substation at West Campus at 2400 Nueces Street, where reports and other law-enforcement needs can be addressed.

If a Crime Occurs Outside UTPD's Jurisdiction

In general, the law enforcement agency where a crime occurred will be the primary agency responsible for handling the incident. For example, if a crime occurs in San Marcos, the San Marcos Police Department would generally be the primary agency responsible for the investigation.

You can still contact another law enforcement agency to report what happened. Depending on the circumstances, that agency may be able to take an initial or courtesy report and then forward the information to the agency with jurisdiction. This can help ensure that your report is documented and directed to the appropriate agency. You may also be asked to file the report directly with the corresponding agency.

How Long Do I Have to Report?

There is no single deadline for reporting a crime. The amount of time you have to report can vary depending on the type of crime, when it occurred, and other circumstances of the case.

• Statutes of limitations vary by crime. Some offenses have a specific time limit for criminal prosecution, while others may have no limitation period.
• Sexual assault cases can have different time limits. For some sexual assault offenses, the statute of limitations may be 10 years from the date of the offense. In other circumstances, there may be no statute of limitations.
• The circumstances of each case matter. Factors such as the type of offense, the age of the victim at the time of the offense, available evidence, and other circumstances can affect how the law applies.
• If you are unsure, report. You do not need to determine whether a crime is still within the applicable time period before contacting law enforcement or Victim Services.
• Your detective can help explain the process. Once a report is made, your assigned detective can discuss the circumstances of your case and explain what to expect during the investigative process.
• Delayed reporting is not uncommon. People may wait to report because of fear, uncertainty, trauma, concerns about not being believed, relationships with the person involved, or many other reasons.
• We do not judge you for when you report. Whether you report immediately or after significant time has passed, Victim Services is available to provide support, answer questions, and help you understand your options.

What Happens After I Report?

If you report a crime to law enforcement, what happens next depends on the type of incident, the information available, and whether a suspect has been identified. While every case is different, a criminal case generally involves two broad stages: Investigation and Case Preparation, followed by Prosecution and The Court Process.

Investigation & Case Preparation

The investigation begins when law enforcement receives information about a crime. In some circumstances, an officer may make an arrest at the scene when there is a legal basis to do so. An arrest does not necessarily end the investigation; additional investigative work may continue after an arrest.

In other cases, an officer will respond, speak with the person reporting the crime, and complete an initial report. Depending on the type of incident, the circumstances of the case, and when the report is made, the case may be assigned to a detective for additional investigation.

Victim Services may be requested or offered while the initial report is being taken. For certain types of incidents, Victim Services may also be assigned or contacted after the initial report.

If a detective is assigned, they will generally contact the victim to discuss the case and ask follow-up questions. Depending on the circumstances, this may be done by telephone or may be more appropriately handled in person. The detective may also:

• Speak with witnesses or other people who may have information about the incident.
• Collect or seek available evidence.
• Review information and documentation related to the incident.
• Attempt to identify and locate a suspect.
• Interview the suspect when appropriate.
• Complete other investigative steps necessary to develop the case.

If you have safety concerns about a suspect being contacted or interviewed, communicate with your detective. Your detective can discuss your concerns and, when possible, help you understand what to expect before that contact occurs.

Once the investigation and case preparation are sufficiently developed, the case may be submitted to the appropriate prosecuting authority for review. Depending on the type and severity of the offense, this may include the Travis County District Attorney's Office or the Travis County Attorney's Office.

Prosecution & Court Process

If the appropriate prosecuting authority determines that criminal charges should be filed, the case moves into the prosecution and court process. At this stage, the prosecutor's office becomes responsible for prosecuting the criminal case, while the investigating law enforcement agency may continue to assist as needed.

The court process can include several steps, such as the filing of charges, court appearances, hearings, plea negotiations, and, when applicable, a trial and sentencing.

You may have questions or concerns throughout this process. The Travis County District Attorney's Office and Travis County Attorney's Office each have victim services resources that may be able to provide information, support, and assistance during the prosecution and court process.

What Happens If Someone Is Arrested?

If a suspect is arrested, there are several steps that may occur before the case moves through the court process. The information below explains what you may expect and where you can go for additional information.

Where Is the Person Taken?

If someone is arrested in Travis County, they are generally taken to Travis County Central Booking for processing. You can contact Central Booking at (512) 854-9033 or visit the Travis County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search. If the person is in custody, the search may provide information such as the current charge and bond amount.

Who Determines Bond?

After an arrest, the person in custody may be interviewed by Pretrial Services. Pretrial Services provides information to the court to assist the judge in determining conditions of release, including bond.

If you have concerns about your safety or the safety of others, you can contact Pretrial Services and communicate those concerns. You may also have an opportunity to provide information that may be relevant to conditions of release.