Brownsville DUI Records
Brownsville DUI and DWI records are filed through Cameron County, which handles both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases for the city and surrounding area. If you are searching for DWI records in Brownsville, your primary resources are the Cameron County clerk offices, the Brownsville Police Department for arrest reports, and Brownsville Municipal Court for lower-level alcohol offenses. This page explains where each type of record is held and how to request it.
Brownsville DWI Overview
Where to Find Brownsville DWI Records
DWI records in Brownsville are split by charge level. Class C alcohol offenses such as public intoxication go to Brownsville Municipal Court. Standard DWI charges, which are misdemeanors, are handled by the Cameron County courts. Felony DWI cases, including third offenses and intoxication assault charges, go through one of Cameron County's six district courts. Each office keeps its own records, and you will need to know the charge type before you start your search.
Cameron County misdemeanor DWI records are maintained by the Cameron County Clerk at 964 E. Harrison Street in Brownsville, reachable at (956) 544-0817. The office has four County Courts at Law handling misdemeanor criminal cases. Felony DWI records are held by the Cameron County District Clerk at 974 E. Harrison Street, reachable at (956) 546-7244. Six district courts, including the 103rd, 107th, 138th, 197th, 357th, and 404th, sit in Brownsville and handle felony DWI cases. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
| Cameron County District Clerk | 974 E. Harrison St., Brownsville, TX 78520 | (956) 546-7244 |
|---|---|
| Cameron County Clerk (Misdemeanor) | 964 E. Harrison St., Brownsville, TX 78520 | (956) 544-0817 |
| Brownsville Police Department - Records | 600 E. Jackson St., Brownsville, TX 78520 | (956) 548-7000 |
| Brownsville Municipal Court | 815 E. 11th St., Brownsville, TX 78520 | (956) 548-6122 |
| Cameron County Sheriff | 950 E. Harrison St., Brownsville, TX 78520 | (956) 544-0841 |
The Brownsville Police Department handles DWI arrests within city limits. Their records division at cob.us/police/records processes open records requests for incident, accident, and arrest reports. You can request records in person at 600 E. Jackson Street or by mail. Standard report processing takes about 10 to 15 business days. The Cameron County Sheriff handles DWI arrests in unincorporated areas of the county, separate from the city.
Search Brownsville DUI Case Records
Cameron County provides public access to court records through their online portal at cameroncountytx.gov. You can search by defendant name or case number to find both district and county court DWI filings. Results show party names, charge information, court assignments, and current case status. Document images can be purchased online for a per-page fee, and certified copies carry an additional certification charge.
Brownsville Municipal Court at cob.us/municipal-court handles Class C alcohol charges. Their online system supports ticket payment and basic case lookup. The court is at 815 E. 11th Street and can be reached at (956) 548-6122. Deferred disposition is available for eligible Class C charges. Municipal court records are kept separate from the Cameron County criminal court records.
Note: Arrest reports from the Brownsville Police Department are not the same as court records. If you need the original arrest report, request it from the police records division, not from the county clerk.
DWI Laws and Penalties in Brownsville
Brownsville DWI cases are prosecuted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first DWI offense is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours in jail, up to 180 days, and a fine up to $2,000. If the blood alcohol level is 0.15 or above at the time of arrest, the charge steps up to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Texas sets the legal BAC limit at 0.08.
Under Penal Code Sec. 49.09, a second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory 30-day jail minimum. A third conviction becomes a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000. Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter carry their own felony charges. The Cameron County District Attorney prosecutes all felony DWI cases for Brownsville.
State surcharges under TxDOT impaired driving guidelines are assessed on top of court-ordered fines and paid directly to the state. These charges vary by offense level and prior conviction history.
License Suspension After a Brownsville DWI Arrest
Texas runs the Administrative License Revocation program for all DWI arrests. Under Transportation Code Chapter 524, when a Brownsville driver is arrested for DWI, the arresting officer takes the physical license and gives a temporary driving permit valid for 40 days. The driver has 15 days from the arrest to request a hearing with Texas DPS. Missing that window means the suspension kicks in automatically at 40 days.
A first-time failure of the breath or blood test results in a 90-day suspension. A first-time refusal leads to a 180-day suspension. Prior suspensions within 10 years extend both periods. Once the suspension period ends, a $125 reinstatement fee goes to Texas DPS before a new license is issued. The ALR hearing is a civil proceeding that runs completely separate from the criminal DWI case in Cameron County court.
Driver Records and Criminal History in Brownsville
Texas DPS maintains driving records showing DWI convictions, suspensions, and crash data for Brownsville-area drivers. You can order your own record at dps.texas.gov. A three-year history costs $4 online, and a certified full history is $10. Records for other people require Form DR-1 and must meet Driver Privacy Protection Act requirements before they are released.
The DPS Crime Records Division holds the statewide criminal history database. DWI convictions and deferred adjudications from Cameron County appear there. Submit public information requests by email to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or by mail to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0140. The DPS does not process phone requests for criminal history records.
Crash reports from DWI accidents in Brownsville are maintained by TxDOT, not by the police department. Purchase them through the TxDOT CRIS system. A regular copy is $6 and a certified copy is $8. Access is limited to parties directly involved, their legal representatives, and authorized insurance entities. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission also keeps records of alcohol enforcement actions that can be relevant in dram shop cases separate from DWI records.
The Cameron County District Clerk maintains felony DWI case records for Brownsville through six district courts in the Rio Grande Valley.
Texas DPS maintains the official database for driver records, DWI convictions, and Administrative License Revocation actions for Brownsville and Cameron County drivers.
Cameron County DUI Records
Brownsville is the county seat of Cameron County. All DWI filings for Brownsville go through the Cameron County court system. For more detail on the courts, clerk offices, online search tools, and county-level resources, visit the Cameron County DUI records page.
Nearby Cities
Looking for DWI records in other South Texas cities near Brownsville? These cities have their own local resources and record-keeping offices.