Odessa DWI and DUI Records

Odessa DUI and DWI records are filed through Ector County courts and maintained by the Odessa Police Department. If you need to find a DWI arrest record, check case status on a pending charge, or get copies of court documents, this page covers where to look and how to request those records. Odessa sits in West Texas and handles its criminal cases through the Ector County District Clerk for felony matters and the Ector County Clerk for misdemeanor DWI offenses. Both offices are at 300 N. Grant Avenue in Odessa.

Where to Find Odessa DWI Records

DWI records in Odessa are split between two county offices. The Ector County District Clerk handles felony cases. Felony DWI means a third or later conviction, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter. These records go to the 70th, 161st, 244th, 358th, or 385th District Court depending on the case. Call the District Clerk at (432) 498-4130 or visit 300 N. Grant Avenue in downtown Odessa.

First and second offense DWI cases are Class B and Class A misdemeanors. Those cases stay with the Ector County Clerk, also at 300 N. Grant Avenue. The County Clerk maintains criminal records going back many years. You can go in person during business hours to search or request copies. Fees run $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee if you need a certified copy.

Arrest records from DWI stops are also held by the Odessa Police Department. The records division is at 205 N. Grant Avenue. You can submit a public records request online at odessa-tx.gov/police or visit in person. Report fees are $5.00 per document. Processing usually takes five to ten business days.

How to Search Odessa DUI Records

The Ector County court records system gives you some online access. You can search by defendant name or case number at co.ector.tx.us. The portal shows case status, court assignments, and hearing dates. Document images cost $1.00 per page when ordered online. This is often the fastest way to find out if a case exists before making a trip to the courthouse.

For Odessa DWI records that are older or not in the online system, you will need to visit the clerk in person. Bring the full name of the person and an approximate year for the case if you have it. Staff can search by name or cause number. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee on top of the per-page rate. You can also search the statewide Texas courts portal for some case information.

Note: Attorneys must file electronically through eFileTexas.gov for all Ector County courts. Pro se defendants and members of the public can still file in person at the clerk's office.

DWI Laws and Penalties in Odessa

Texas law governs DWI charges in Odessa under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A person commits DWI when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in a public place. Intoxicated means either a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or any level of impairment from alcohol or drugs that affects normal mental or physical function.

A first DWI offense in Odessa is a Class B misdemeanor. The law sets a minimum of 72 hours in jail and allows up to 180 days. The maximum fine is $2,000. If the driver had an open container of alcohol in the car at the time of arrest, the minimum jail time increases to six days. A second DWI offense bumps up to a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum of 30 days confinement and fines up to $4,000. Under Penal Code Section 49.09, a third DWI becomes a third-degree felony with two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Texas also imposes added state fines on top of court-set penalties. These run $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 and are assessed at sentencing depending on the offense. If a DWI involves a passenger under age 15, the charge becomes a state jail felony under Section 49.045, carrying 180 days to two years in state jail and up to a $10,000 fine. Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter are felonies covered under Sections 49.07 and 49.08.

Drivers under 21 face a zero tolerance rule. Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any detectable alcohol in a minor's system while driving is a Class C misdemeanor. The fine goes up to $500, and the license suspension starts at 30 days for a first offense.

ALR and License Suspension in Odessa

A DWI arrest in Odessa starts two separate processes at the same time. The criminal case goes through the Ector County courts. The second process is the Administrative License Revocation, or ALR, which runs through the Texas Department of Public Safety under Transportation Code Chapter 524. These two cases move on their own timelines. The ALR can result in suspension even if the criminal charge is dropped or dismissed.

When an officer makes a DWI arrest, they take the driver's physical license and hand over a notice of suspension. That notice also serves as a temporary driving permit for 40 days. You have only 15 days to ask for an ALR hearing. If you do not request one in time, the suspension takes effect automatically on day 40.

Suspension periods depend on what happened at the stop. Refusing the breath or blood test brings a 180-day suspension for a first refusal and two years for a second refusal within ten years. Failing the test with a 0.08 BAC or higher results in a 90-day suspension for a first offense and one year for a repeat within ten years. Before DPS will reissue a license after ALR suspension, you must pay a $125 reinstatement fee. Check your driving record and reinstatement status at dps.texas.gov.

Local Resources for Odessa DWI Cases

If you were arrested for DWI in Odessa, the Ector County Public Defender handles indigent defense for eligible defendants. Call the courthouse at (432) 498-4130 to ask about appointed counsel. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also look up attorneys at texasbar.com.

The Texas Department of Transportation maintains crash records for incidents in Odessa. You can request a crash report through the TxDOT CRIS system at txdot.gov. These reports cost $6.00 for a regular copy and $8.00 for a certified copy. For DPS driving records and license status, visit dps.texas.gov. Online driving records range from $4 to $22 depending on the type you need.

The Odessa Municipal Court at 201 N. Grant Avenue handles Class C misdemeanor offenses. For DWI cases with more serious charges, those go to Ector County County Court or District Court based on the offense level. The Crime Records Division at DPS maintains statewide criminal history data and can confirm whether a conviction appears in state records.

Texas DPS maintains official DWI and driver license records for all Odessa residents. Visit the Texas DPS driver license page for information on license status, suspensions, and reinstatement after a DWI arrest.

The state system lets you check suspension status and order driving records online without visiting a DPS office in person.

Ector County DWI Records

Odessa is the county seat of Ector County, and all DWI court filings go through the Ector County courts. For full details on court locations, county clerk contact information, and how to access Ector County DWI records, visit the county page.

View Ector County DUI Records

Nearby Cities

Other West Texas cities with DWI record pages include Midland in neighboring Midland County.