Abilene DWI Records
Abilene DUI and DWI records are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of charge and which agency made the arrest. If you are searching for DWI records in Abilene, you will likely start with Taylor County, which handles both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases filed in the area. The Abilene Police Department holds the arrest reports, while the Taylor County courts keep the full case history. This page covers where to look and how to get the records you need.
Abilene DWI Overview
Where to Find Abilene DWI Records
DWI records in Abilene are split between city and county offices. Class C alcohol offenses such as public intoxication go to Abilene Municipal Court. Standard DWI charges, which are Class A or B misdemeanors, land in the Taylor County courts. Felony DWI cases, which include a third or subsequent offense and intoxication assault charges, go to a Taylor County District Court. Each office keeps its own set of records, so where you search depends on the charge level.
For misdemeanor DWI cases, the Taylor County Clerk maintains the records at 300 Oak Street in Abilene. You can reach their office at (325) 674-1202. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Felony DWI records are held by the Taylor County District Clerk, also at 300 Oak Street, reachable at (325) 674-1316. The District Clerk handles case files for the 42nd, 104th, and 326th District Courts, all of which sit in Abilene.
| Taylor County District Clerk | 300 Oak St., Abilene, TX 79602 | (325) 674-1316 |
|---|---|
| Taylor County Clerk (Misdemeanor) | 300 Oak St., Abilene, TX 79602 | (325) 674-1202 |
| Abilene Police Department - Records | 450 Pecan St., Abilene, TX 79602 | (325) 673-8331 |
| Abilene Municipal Court | 555 Walnut St., Abilene, TX 79601 | (325) 676-6378 |
| Taylor County Sheriff | 402 Butternut St., Abilene, TX 79602 | (325) 674-1700 |
The Abilene Police Department handles the majority of DWI arrests within city limits. Their records division processes open records requests for incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records. You can submit a request by calling (325) 673-8331 or by visiting in person at 450 Pecan Street. Reports typically cost $5.00 per document, and processing takes about 10 business days under the Texas Public Information Act.
The Taylor County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in unincorporated parts of the county. Their records are separate from city records. Inmate and booking information is available through the Taylor County Sheriff at 402 Butternut Street in Abilene.
How to Search Abilene DUI Records Online
Taylor County provides public access to court records through the Texas court portal system. You can search by defendant name or case number to find DWI filings at both the district and county court levels. The search system shows party names, charge information, court assignments, and current case status. Document images may be purchased online for a per-page fee, and certified copies require an additional certification charge on top of the copy cost.
Abilene Municipal Court handles Class C alcohol offenses including public intoxication and minor in possession. Their online system lets you search by citation number or name, pay fines, and request deferred disposition. The municipal court handles misdemeanor cases that fall below the standard DWI threshold but still appear in local records systems.
To search DWI records in Abilene, it helps to have the following ready:
- Full name of the person charged
- Approximate date of arrest or case filing
- Case number if you have one
- Whether the charge was a misdemeanor or a felony
Note: Arrest reports from APD and the Taylor County Sheriff are separate from court records. Request those directly from the agency that made the arrest.
DWI Laws and Penalties in Abilene
Abilene DWI cases are prosecuted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours in jail and up to 180 days total, plus a fine of up to $2,000. If your blood alcohol level was 0.15 or above, the charge moves up to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The legal limit in Texas is 0.08 BAC.
A second DWI conviction under Penal Code Sec. 49.09 is a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory 30-day minimum sentence. A third offense becomes a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000. Intoxication assault under Sec. 49.07 and intoxication manslaughter under Sec. 49.08 carry second and third-degree felony penalties respectively. The Taylor County District Attorney prosecutes all felony DWI cases in Abilene.
Texas also adds state surcharges on top of criminal fines. Under TxDOT impaired driving guidelines, the state can assess extra fines at sentencing that are separate from what the court orders. These amounts depend on the offense level and prior conviction history. First-time offenders face lower surcharge amounts than repeat offenders.
License Suspension After an Abilene DWI Arrest
Texas runs a separate civil process called the Administrative License Revocation program, or ALR. Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524, when a driver is arrested for DWI in Abilene, the officer takes the physical license and gives a temporary permit valid for 40 days. The driver has 15 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing with Texas DPS. If no hearing is requested, the suspension starts automatically on day 40.
How long the suspension lasts depends on the test result. A first-time failure of the breath or blood test brings a 90-day suspension. A first-time refusal results in a 180-day suspension. If the driver has a prior suspension within the past 10 years, those periods are extended. Once the suspension is over, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS before a new license is issued.
The ALR process runs through the State Office of Administrative Hearings and is completely separate from the criminal case. A dismissal in criminal court does not automatically undo the ALR suspension. The two tracks use different standards and run on different timelines.
Driving Records and Criminal History in Abilene
Texas DPS maintains driving records that include DWI convictions, license suspensions, and crash data. You can order your own record at dps.texas.gov. A three-year history costs $4 online, and a certified full history costs $10. Records about other people require Form DR-1 and must meet federal Driver Privacy Protection Act requirements before they are released.
The DPS Crime Records Division at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records maintains the state criminal history database. DWI convictions and deferred adjudications for Abilene cases appear there. You can submit a public information request to DPS by email at publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or by mail to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0140. Phone requests are not accepted.
Crash reports from DWI-related accidents in Abilene are maintained by TxDOT, not by APD. You can purchase a crash report through the TxDOT CRIS system. A regular copy costs $6 and a certified copy is $8. Access is limited to parties involved in the crash, their legal representatives, and insurance companies.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces alcohol laws statewide. TABC records of license violations and enforcement actions are separate from DWI court records but can be relevant in cases involving dram shop liability following a DWI accident involving an establishment that served the driver.
The Texas Department of Public Safety administers the Administrative License Revocation program that affects Abilene drivers arrested for DWI.
Texas DPS maintains the official statewide database for driver records, DWI convictions, and license suspension actions affecting Abilene-area drivers.
Taylor County DUI Records
Abilene sits in Taylor County, which handles all DWI court filings for the city. Both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases go through the Taylor County court system. For more detail on the courts, clerk offices, online search tools, and county-level resources, visit the Taylor County DUI records page.
Nearby Cities
Looking for DWI records in other Texas cities near Abilene? These cities also have local resources and record offices you can use.