Fort Worth DUI Records
Fort Worth DUI and DWI records are filed through the Tarrant County court system. The Fort Worth Police Department makes most DWI arrests in the city, and the Tarrant County courts maintain all criminal case filings. Fort Worth Municipal Court handles Class C alcohol offenses. For DWI charges at the misdemeanor or felony level, the county clerks in downtown Fort Worth are where the records are kept.
Fort Worth DWI Overview
Fort Worth DWI Records Offices
Tarrant County has two main clerks for criminal records. The Tarrant County District Clerk at 401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196 handles all felony DWI cases. Their number is (817) 884-1400. The District Clerk serves 17 criminal district courts, numbered from the 213th to the 432nd. Their online case search at tarrantcounty.com is free and lets you look up cases by name or case number.
Misdemeanor DWI cases, covering first and second offenses, go to 10 County Criminal Courts in Tarrant County. Those records are maintained by the Tarrant County Clerk, also at 100 W. Weatherford Street, reachable at (817) 884-1195. Both clerks are in downtown Fort Worth and are open Monday through Friday. Document copies are $1.00 per page and certified copies add a $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 |
| FWPD Central Records | 505 W. Felix St., Fort Worth, TX 76115 | (817) 392-4225 |
| Fort Worth Municipal Court | 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, TX 76102 | (817) 669-6200 |
The Fort Worth Police Department Central Records office is at 505 W. Felix Street. You can reach the records unit at (817) 392-4225. In-person hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can also submit open records requests online. Standard requests are processed in 10 business days and complex requests may take up to 30 days. A police report costs $5.00. Accident reports are the same. Body cam and dash cam footage costs $25 plus media fees.
The Fort Worth Municipal Court operates seven locations across the city and handles Class C alcohol offenses including public intoxication and minor in possession violations.
The Municipal Court offers online ticket search, payment, and deferred disposition requests through the city's website. Deferred disposition is available for eligible Class C alcohol offenses.
How to Search Fort Worth DUI Records
For DWI court cases, the Tarrant County case search at tarrantcounty.com is the primary online tool. The portal shows case numbers, charges, filing dates, bond amounts, docket settings, and dispositions. Document images are available for purchase online at $1.00 per page with immediate download after payment. E-filing by attorneys is mandatory through eFileTexas.gov.
Fort Worth Municipal Court uses an online portal where you can search by citation number, driver's license number, name, or date of birth. The court handles Class C offenses like public intoxication, minor in possession, minor consumption, and open container violations. Fine amounts for alcohol-related Class C offenses typically range from $250 to $500 plus court costs. Deferred disposition is available at a fee of $100 to $150, with a 90-day probation period and no alcohol violations as a condition.
For arrest reports, submit an open records request to FWPD by mail to 505 W. Felix Street, online, or in person. DWI arrest reports from FWPD include the officer narrative, field sobriety test results, portable breath test results, chemical test documentation, and witness statements. Video evidence from body cameras and dash cameras is available with a processing fee of $25 plus media cost.
DWI Penalties in Fort Worth
Fort Worth DWI cases are prosecuted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The core offense under Sec. 49.04 is operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in a public place. "Intoxicated" means either not having normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or drugs, or having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. Both standards can be used to prosecute a case.
A first DWI in Fort Worth is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum 72-hour confinement and up to 180 days, plus fines up to $2,000. Open container in the vehicle bumps the minimum to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or more means a Class A charge. Second DWI has a 30-day mandatory minimum under Sec. 49.09. A third DWI is a felony. Driving with a passenger under 15 while intoxicated is a state jail felony under Sec. 49.045.
The state adds surcharges on top of court fines. Under TxDOT penalty guidelines, surcharges range from $3,000 to $6,000. These go to the state and are separate from the fine the judge imposes. Ignition interlock devices are commonly ordered in Tarrant County for repeat offenders and some first offenders with elevated BAC.
License Suspension After a Fort Worth DWI
The Administrative License Revocation program affects Fort Worth drivers arrested for DWI. Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524, the officer takes the physical license and gives a temporary permit valid for 40 days. You have 15 days to request a hearing with DPS. Missing that window means automatic suspension on day 40.
A first failed test brings a 90-day suspension. A first refusal brings 180 days. Prior DWI-related suspensions within 10 years make those periods longer. After serving the suspension, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS before the license is restored. Multiple DPS offices serve the Fort Worth and Tarrant County area.
Note: The ALR hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings runs on a lower burden of proof than the criminal case. A judge can find against you in the ALR proceeding even if criminal charges are later dismissed. The two cases are independent of each other.
Crash Reports and Criminal History Records
Crash reports involving DWI arrests in Fort Worth are filed with TxDOT within 10 days under Texas Transportation Code ยง550.062. These are separate from police reports. You can purchase them through the TxDOT CRIS system for $6 for a standard copy or $8 for certified. Access is restricted to involved parties, vehicle owners, insurers, and authorized representatives.
Texas DPS maintains criminal history records including DWI convictions from Tarrant County courts. Public information requests can be submitted to dps.texas.gov or by email to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov. The DPS does not handle phone or fax requests. Charges may apply for extensive searches. Driving records showing DWI convictions and license history can be ordered online for $4 to $22 depending on the record type.
For minor alcohol offenses in Fort Worth, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Sec. 106.041 applies. Any detectable amount of alcohol in a driver under 21 is a violation in Texas. First offense is a Class C misdemeanor with community service and an alcohol awareness course requirement. License suspension runs 30 days.
Tarrant County DUI Records
Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County. DWI cases for Fort Worth and surrounding Tarrant County cities all go through the county court system. For more county-level detail on courts, online search portals, and records access, see the Tarrant County DUI records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in the Fort Worth area with DWI records and local courts: