Find DWI Records in Arlington
Arlington DUI and DWI records go through two separate systems depending on the charge type. The Arlington Police Department handles DWI arrests within city limits, and cases are filed through Tarrant County courts. Class C alcohol offenses like public intoxication go to Arlington Municipal Court. Misdemeanor and felony DWI charges go to the Tarrant County courts in downtown Fort Worth. This guide explains how to access Arlington DWI records from each source.
Arlington DWI Overview
Where to Find Arlington DUI Records
Arlington DWI cases are filed in Tarrant County because Arlington is located within Tarrant County. Misdemeanor DWI records (first and second offenses) go to the Tarrant County Clerk at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196, phone (817) 884-1195. Ten County Criminal Courts handle those cases. Felony DWI records go to the Tarrant County District Clerk at 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196, phone (817) 884-1400. The District Clerk serves 17 criminal district courts handling felony-level offenses.
Both Tarrant County clerk offices maintain an online case search at tarrantcounty.com. You can search by defendant name or case number at no cost. The portal shows charges, filing dates, bond information, docket entries, and dispositions for closed cases. Document images cost $1.00 per page and can be downloaded immediately online. Certified copies require an additional $5.00 fee.
| Tarrant County District Clerk | 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1400 |
|---|---|
| Tarrant County Clerk | 100 W. Weatherford St., Fort Worth, TX 76196 | (817) 884-1195 |
| Arlington Police - Records | 620 W. Division St., Arlington, TX 76011 | (817) 459-5706 |
| Arlington Municipal Court | 101 S. Mesquite St., Arlington, TX 76010 | (817) 459-6771 |
Arlington Police Department Records is at 620 W. Division Street. The records unit can be reached at (817) 459-5706. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can submit open records requests online at arlingtontx.gov/police/records, by email to policerecords@arlingtontx.gov, or by mail. Standard processing takes 10 business days. Complex or video requests take 15 to 20 business days. A police report costs $5.00. Body cam and dash cam video is $25 plus media fees.
Searching Arlington DWI Case Records
The Tarrant County case portal is the main online tool for DWI court records from Arlington cases. Go to tarrantcounty.com and search by name or case number. Results show the charge, court number, bond amount, attorney of record, and upcoming docket dates. If the case is closed, the disposition is also shown. This covers both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases filed in Tarrant County courts for Arlington defendants.
Arlington Municipal Court handles Class C alcohol violations. Their online portal at arlingtontx.gov/courts/municipal lets you search tickets by citation number, driver's license number, vehicle plate, defendant last name, or date of birth. Citation formats are typically A##### or AR#####. The court is at 101 S. Mesquite Street and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Fines for Class C alcohol offenses at Arlington Municipal Court run $275 to $465 for public intoxication, $365 to $525 for minor in possession or consumption, and $220 to $360 for open container. Deferred disposition is available at a fee of $100 to $150, with a 90-day deferral period. No alcohol violations are allowed during that time. Alcohol awareness courses are required for MIP and MIC offenses.
DWI Laws in Arlington
Arlington DWI cases follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, carrying 72 hours to 180 days in jail and fines up to $2,000. If the driver had an open container, the minimum goes to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or more steps the charge up to Class A with up to one year and $4,000 in fines. Officers can charge DWI based on impairment evidence alone, even without a BAC above 0.08.
A second DWI conviction under Sec. 49.09 carries a 30-day mandatory minimum. A third conviction is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison. DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony under Sec. 49.045. Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter carry felony penalties under Secs. 49.07 and 49.08. State surcharges of $3,000 to $6,000 are assessed on top of court fines under TxDOT penalty guidelines.
Appeals from Arlington Municipal Court go to a Tarrant County Court at Law. The appeal must be filed within 10 days of judgment and an appeal bond is required. For DWI misdemeanor convictions in county court, appeals go to the Court of Criminal Appeals or an intermediate appellate court depending on the issue raised.
Administrative License Revocation for Arlington Drivers
After a DWI arrest in Arlington, the Administrative License Revocation process begins automatically. Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524, the officer takes the driver's license and issues a temporary permit valid for 40 days. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing. No request means the suspension takes effect on day 40. Hearings are conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
A first failed test means a 90-day suspension. A first refusal means 180 days. Prior ALR suspensions within the past 10 years increase both periods. After the suspension ends, a $125 reinstatement fee is due to Texas DPS. Driving records showing the suspension can be ordered online at dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 depending on the record type.
Additional Arlington DUI Resources
Crash reports from DWI-related accidents in Arlington are handled by TxDOT, not APD. Under Texas Transportation Code ยง550.062, officers file reports within 10 days for crashes involving injury, death, or damage over $1,000. Purchase crash reports through the TxDOT CRIS system for $6 standard or $8 certified. Access is restricted to parties involved and their authorized representatives.
Texas DPS at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records maintains criminal history records including DWI convictions from Tarrant County courts. Public records requests go to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or by mail to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0140. Phone requests are not accepted. Charges may apply for requests that generate over 40 pages of records.
Minor alcohol violations in Arlington fall under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Sec. 106.041. Any detectable alcohol in a driver under 21 is a violation. Arlington Municipal Court handles these cases. First offense is a Class C with a fine up to $500, 8-12 hours community service, and a TABC-certified alcohol awareness course. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approves course providers.
Note: Arlington Police DWI arrest reports include the officer's probable cause affidavit, field sobriety test checklist and results, portable breath test results if used, observations of impairment, Miranda warning documentation, and passenger information. Restricted records include juvenile cases, sexual assault files, and active investigation materials.
Tarrant County DUI Records
Arlington is in Tarrant County, and all DWI case filings from the city go through the Tarrant County court system in Fort Worth. For full county-level information including courts, case search tools, and records resources, visit the Tarrant County DUI records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with DWI records offices: