McAllen DWI Records Lookup

DUI and DWI records in McAllen are maintained by the Hidalgo County courts, the McAllen Police Department, and the McAllen Municipal Court. McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, and all felony and misdemeanor DWI court filings from the city go through the Hidalgo County courts in Edinburg. The McAllen Police Department holds arrest records and incident reports for DWI cases within city limits, and the McAllen Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor alcohol-related violations. This page covers how to find those records and what to expect from the process.

Where McAllen DWI Records Are Kept

DWI cases from McAllen go through two court levels. Misdemeanor DWI, which includes first and second offenses, is filed with the Hidalgo County Clerk at 100 E. Cano Street, Edinburg, TX 78539. The phone number is (956) 318-2100. Hidalgo County has eight County Courts at Law that handle misdemeanor criminal cases. Felony DWI cases, meaning third offenses and intoxication crimes, go to the Hidalgo County District Clerk at the same address. That office can be reached at (956) 318-2200.

Hidalgo County operates 13 district courts, which is among the largest in the state. The online case search portal at hidalgocounty.us gives free public access to case records. You can search by defendant name, date of birth, or case number. Results show the cause number, charge description and degree, filing date, bond information, and case status. Document copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $5.00 per document.

The McAllen Police Department at 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501, (956) 681-2000, handles DWI arrests within city limits. Arrest reports and incident records are available through their records division.

How to Search McAllen DUI Records

Start with the Hidalgo County online case portal at hidalgocounty.us/district-clerk. The search is free and open to the public at any time. Enter the defendant's last name or the case number to pull up results. The portal covers both district court felony cases and county court misdemeanor cases. You will see the cause number, charge description, bond amount, case status, and court assignment. If you find the case you need, you can purchase document copies online at $1.00 per page using a credit card.

For arrest records from incidents in McAllen, contact the McAllen Police Department records division at (956) 681-2000. They process requests for incident reports, arrest reports, and accident reports. Standard reports cost $5.00 and take about 10 to 15 business days to process. Video evidence requests have separate fees and longer processing times. The arrest report will include the officer's probable cause affidavit, field sobriety test documentation, and any breath or blood test results.

The McAllen Municipal Court at 221 S. 15th Street, McAllen, TX 78501, (956) 681-1400, handles Class C misdemeanor violations. You can search for municipal court cases and pay citations through their online portal. The municipal court also offers deferred disposition for eligible offenses, including minor alcohol-related charges. If your case involves public intoxication or a minor in possession, that case is likely at the municipal court rather than the county courts.

DWI Laws and What They Mean in McAllen

Texas law defines DWI under Penal Code Section 49.04. A person commits DWI by operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Texas uses a dual definition of intoxication. A BAC of 0.08 or more is one standard. The other is not having normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or drugs. An officer can arrest based on impairment even if the breath test result is below 0.08.

First offense DWI in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor. It carries a minimum of 72 hours in jail, a maximum of 180 days, and a fine up to $2,000. If an open container was found in the vehicle, the minimum jail time rises to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or higher makes it a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Texas state surcharges apply at sentencing on top of fines. These run from $3,000 for a first DWI up to $6,000 for a third.

Second DWI carries a 30-day mandatory minimum. Under Section 49.09, a third DWI is a third-degree felony with two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. DWI with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony under Section 49.045. Texas also has a zero tolerance law for minors under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol in a minor driver's system is enough for a DUI charge. That charge is a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense.

Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter are serious felony charges. They apply when a DWI driver causes serious injury or death. Those records are filed through the Hidalgo County District Clerk as felony cases.

ALR and License Suspension in McAllen

Every DWI arrest in McAllen starts an Administrative License Revocation process run by the Texas DPS. This is separate from the Hidalgo County criminal case. When the officer makes the arrest and the driver fails or refuses a chemical test, the officer takes the license and issues a Notice of Suspension. That notice works as a temporary permit for 40 days. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing or the suspension becomes final on day 40.

At the ALR hearing, an administrative judge reviews whether the stop and arrest were lawful, whether a test was properly requested, and whether the result or refusal meets the standard for suspension. The burden of proof is lower than in criminal court. Under Transportation Code Chapter 524, a failed test leads to a 90-day suspension for a first offense. A refusal brings a 180-day suspension. Prior refusals or suspensions within 10 years result in two-year suspensions.

After the suspension ends, DPS requires a $125 reinstatement fee before reinstating the license. You can check your license status and order your driving record at dps.texas.gov. The complete certified driving history is available for $10 and is often required for court purposes or insurance matters.

McAllen Police and Municipal Court Resources

The McAllen Police Department handles all DWI arrests within the city. Their records division at 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd. processes public information requests. Phone is (956) 681-2000. Reports are available for incidents investigated by McAllen officers. Standard reports cost $5.00. Video requests have separate fees and longer timelines. Records are available in person, by mail, or through their online request system.

The McAllen Municipal Court at 221 S. 15th Street, (956) 681-1400, handles Class C misdemeanor violations. Online services include ticket lookup, payment, and deferred disposition applications. Fine amounts for public intoxication run from $275 to $465. MIP or MIC fines run from $365 to $525. Deferred disposition is available for eligible offenses. Those programs require an administrative fee and a set deferral period with no violations.

For statewide criminal history records, the Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains convictions from all Texas courts. You can request a certified criminal history for someone convicted in Texas through DPS by mail or online. The Texas Courts website has general information on how DWI cases progress from arrest through sentencing in Texas courts.

The McAllen Police Department maintains DWI arrest records and public information for all DUI-related cases within McAllen city limits.

Records requests can be submitted in person, online, or by mail to the McAllen Police Department records division at 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd.

The McAllen Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor alcohol violations, including public intoxication and minor in possession cases, within city limits.

The Municipal Court at 221 S. 15th Street offers online ticket payment, case lookup, and deferred disposition services for eligible alcohol-related charges.

Hidalgo County DWI Records

McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County. All DWI cases from McAllen go through the Hidalgo County courts in Edinburg. The Hidalgo County District Clerk and County Clerk maintain public records for all DWI filings in the county. For the full picture on Hidalgo County courts, online search tools, and contact information, visit the Hidalgo County page.

View Hidalgo County DWI Records

Nearby Cities

Other South Texas cities with DWI records accessible through their county courts:

• Beaumont DWI Records
• Midland DWI Records
• Abilene DWI Records