Temple DWI Records Lookup

Temple DUI and DWI records are filed through Bell County courts and maintained by the Temple Police Department for arrest-level documents. Temple is one of Bell County's largest cities, and DWI criminal cases go through the Bell County District Clerk in Belton for felony matters and the Bell County Clerk for misdemeanor cases. Temple residents facing DWI charges, or anyone looking up DWI records for Temple cases, will find the court system in Belton is the primary source. The Temple Police Department keeps its own arrest records and police reports at 209 E. Avenue A.

Where to Access Temple DWI Records

Bell County courts handle all DWI criminal cases for Temple residents. The Bell County District Clerk, located at 1201 Huey Drive, Belton, TX 76513, manages felony DWI records. Felony cases include third-offense DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. Five district courts operate in Bell County for felony matters. Call the District Clerk at (254) 933-5160 for records inquiries.

Misdemeanor DWI cases, covering first and second offenses, go to the Bell County Clerk at 1201 Huey Drive, Belton, TX 76513. The County Clerk phone number is (254) 933-5165. Three County Courts at Law handle misdemeanor DWI in Bell County. Both clerks operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Copy fees run $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 fee for certified copies. You can search some records at bellcountytx.com.

The Temple Police Department handles open records requests for arrest records, incident reports, and accident reports. Call the records division at (254) 298-5500 or submit a request through templetx.gov/police. Reports cost $5.00 per document. Processing is about ten business days.

How to Search Temple DUI Records

Bell County provides case search access through bellcountytx.com. You can search by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers. The portal shows case status, court assignments, and hearing dates. Documents cost $1.00 per page when ordered through the system. This is a practical way to confirm whether a case exists before making the drive to Belton.

For in-person searches at the Bell County Courthouse in Belton, bring the person's full name and an approximate year for the case. Staff can search by name or cause number and pull the file for you to review at the counter. Certified copies require payment at the time of request. Attorneys must file electronically through eFileTexas.gov for all Bell County courts.

Note: The statewide Texas courts portal indexes Bell County cases. If you are not certain which court or level handled the case, use the statewide search to locate the cause number and then contact the right clerk.

DWI Laws and Penalties in Temple

Texas DWI law under Penal Code Chapter 49 applies in Temple just as it does across the state. Section 49.04 makes it an offense to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated in a public place. Intoxicated means BAC of 0.08 or any impairment of mental or physical function from alcohol or drugs. Officers use field sobriety tests and chemical testing to build cases. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Occupations Code Chapter 1701 sets the training standards officers must meet to administer those tests.

A first DWI in Temple is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours in jail, up to 180 days, and fines up to $2,000. An open container in the vehicle raises the minimum to six days. BAC at 0.15 or above turns the first offense into a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. Second-offense DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day mandatory minimum. Third-offense DWI under Section 49.09 is a third-degree felony carrying two to ten years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Texas adds state surcharges at sentencing: $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 depending on the offense, assessed beyond the court fine. DWI with a child passenger under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony under Section 49.045, with 180 days to two years and a $10,000 fine cap. Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter are felonies handled by the Bell County District Court.

For minors under 21, Texas zero tolerance law under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041 makes any detectable alcohol a Class C misdemeanor DUI. First offense brings fines up to $500, community service, a mandatory alcohol awareness class, and a 30-day license suspension.

Administrative License Revocation for Temple DWI

A DWI arrest in Temple starts two proceedings at the same time. The criminal case goes to Bell County courts. The Administrative License Revocation process runs through Texas DPS under Transportation Code Chapter 524. Both move on their own timelines. The ALR can suspend your license even if criminal charges are later dropped.

The officer takes your physical license at the arrest and gives you a temporary permit valid for 40 days. You have 15 days to request an ALR hearing. Missing that deadline means the suspension starts automatically on day 40. The ALR hearing is conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings and uses a lower burden of proof than the criminal trial.

Refusing the chemical test results in a 180-day suspension for a first refusal. A second refusal within ten years brings two years. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means 90 days for a first offense and one year for a repeat. To restore your license after suspension, pay the $125 DPS reinstatement fee online at dps.texas.gov.

Temple and Bell County Legal Resources

For legal representation in Bell County, the State Bar of Texas referral service is at (800) 252-9690. Search the attorney directory at texasbar.com. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division at dps.texas.gov is the statewide clearinghouse for criminal history data including DWI convictions. DPS public records requests can be submitted online or by email to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov under the process at dps.texas.gov.

Crash reports from Temple accidents go to TxDOT. Request one through the CRIS system at txdot.gov for $6.00 regular or $8.00 certified. Driving records are available online at dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 depending on type. The Killeen Police Department at killeentexas.gov/police handles arrest records for Killeen, which is also in Bell County.

The Temple Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports for all DWI stops made within Temple city limits.

Submit a public records request through the Temple Police Department to obtain DWI arrest reports, accident reports, and other incident documentation from Temple officers.

Bell County DWI Records

Temple DWI cases are filed in Bell County. All court records for Temple are at the Bell County Courthouse in Belton. Visit the Bell County page for full court contact information, clerk hours, and details on how to access DWI records from any Bell County city.

View Bell County DUI Records

Nearby Cities

Other Bell County and Central Texas cities with DWI record pages include Killeen in Bell County and Waco in McLennan County.