Bexar County, TX Privacy & Surveillance: Recording & Consent Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Audio Consent
- One-party consent
- Video in Public
- Legal
- Private Recording
- Felony if no consent
- Tracking Devices
- Consent required
Summary
Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording. Only one party to a conversation must consent. Video recording in public is legal. Recording in private areas where individuals expect privacy is a state jail felony under Penal Code §21.15.
Sec. 16.02. UNLAWFUL INTERCEPTION, USE, OR DISCLOSURE OF WIRE, ORAL, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. ... (c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (b) that: ... (4) a person not acting under color of law intercepts a wire, oral, or electronic communication, if: (A) the person is a party to the communication; or (B) one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to the interception, unless the communication is intercepted for the purpose of committing an unlawful act.
Full Breakdown
Texas Penal Code §16.02 establishes one-party consent for audio recording: you may record a conversation if you are a participant. Recording conversations without any party's consent is illegal. Texas Penal Code §21.15 prohibits invasive visual recording in private areas. Public recording is protected under the First Amendment. Texas Penal Code §16.06 prohibits unauthorized tracking devices. These laws apply uniformly across Bexar County. San Antonio has no additional local recording restrictions beyond state law.
Violations & Fines
Illegal wiretapping: second-degree felony (2-20 years, up to $10,000 fine). Invasive visual recording: state jail felony (180 days-2 years, up to $10,000). Unauthorized tracking: Class A misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a conversation in Bexar County without telling the other person?
Is it legal to record police in San Antonio?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bexar County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Bexar County to another location·View the Texas privacy & surveillance overview
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