Waco DWI Records

Waco DUI and DWI records are held by McLennan County, which processes all criminal case filings for the city. The Waco Police Department handles arrests within city limits, and the McLennan County court system takes over once charges are filed. This guide covers how to find Waco DWI records through local and county offices.

Where to Find Waco DWI Records

All DWI cases from Waco go through McLennan County. Felony DWI cases, including third offense and intoxication offenses, go to the McLennan County District Clerk at (254) 750-5840, located at 501 Washington Avenue in Waco. Their office covers 6 district courts. Misdemeanor DWI cases go to the McLennan County Clerk at (254) 750-5465 in Room 104 of the same building. That office handles first and second offense DWI through 2 County Courts at Law.

The McLennan County online case search at mclennancounty.com provides public access to both felony and misdemeanor records. Search by defendant name or case number. Results include charge details, court assignments, bond amounts, and current case status. Documents cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov.

The Waco Police Department at waco-texas.com/police handles DWI arrests within city limits. Their records division at (254) 750-7500 processes open records requests for arrest and incident reports. Reports cost $5.00 per copy. Body camera and patrol video from DWI arrests are available through WPD with applicable fees. The department also serves as the primary agency for DWI enforcement in Waco, including a university population that generates active enforcement year-round.

The Waco Municipal Court at 201 S. Second Street handles Class C alcohol violations. The court's online portal at waco-texas.com/municipal-court offers case search, payment, and deferred disposition options. Fees for public intoxication and minor in possession charges are posted online. Municipal court records are separate from McLennan County court records.

How to Search Waco DUI Records Online

The McLennan County case portal is the main resource for searching Waco DWI court records. Both felony and misdemeanor records are available. Search works by defendant name or case number, and results display charge details, court assignments, bond records, and case disposition when closed. Document purchase is available online at $1.00 per page with immediate download after payment.

For police arrest reports, open records requests go to the Waco Police Department, not to the county clerk. The WPD records division handles incident reports, arrest reports, DWI narratives, and field sobriety test documentation. If a DWI involved a crash, the crash report is held by TxDOT and must be requested separately.

The Waco Municipal Court handles Class C alcohol cases. You can look up citations, make payments, and check deferred disposition status through the city's online system. These records are not searchable in the McLennan County portal. They are accessed exclusively through the city of Waco directly.

Note: Waco is home to Baylor University, and Baylor University Police also has jurisdiction on campus. DWI arrests by Baylor PD still go through the McLennan County courts, but arrest records would be at the Baylor University Police Department, not at the Waco PD.

DWI Laws and Penalties in Waco

Waco DWI cases are prosecuted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours in jail and up to 180 days, plus a fine up to $2,000. A BAC of 0.15 or above raises the charge to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

A second DWI under Penal Code Sec. 49.09 carries a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory 30-day minimum. A third offense is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. The McLennan County District Attorney prosecutes all DWI cases from Waco.

For drivers under 21 in Waco, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Sec. 106.041 applies zero tolerance. Any detectable alcohol is enough for a DUI by minor charge. First offense carries a fine up to $500, 8 to 12 hours of community service, and a required alcohol awareness course. License suspension applies even to drivers who do not yet hold a license.

Additional state surcharges of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 can be assessed at sentencing per TxDOT guidelines. These are paid to the state and are separate from any fine set by the court.

License Suspension After a Waco DWI Arrest

Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524, when someone is arrested for DWI in Waco, the officer takes the physical license and issues a temporary permit valid for 40 days. The driver has 15 days to request a hearing with Texas DPS. Without a hearing request, the suspension takes effect automatically on day 40.

A first failed breath or blood test means a 90-day suspension. A first refusal brings 180 days. After the suspension ends, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS. Pay and check status online at the DPS website. The ALR hearing is a civil matter at the State Office of Administrative Hearings and runs separately from the criminal case in McLennan County court.

Driver Records and Criminal History in Waco

Texas DPS driving records show DWI convictions, suspensions, and crash history. Order your own at dps.texas.gov. A three-year history costs $4 online. A certified complete history costs $10. To get another person's record, Form DR-1 is required along with compliance with the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act.

The DPS Crime Records Division at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records maintains statewide criminal history data. DWI convictions appear here. Submit public information requests to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or by mail to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0140.

Crash reports involving DWI accidents in Waco are managed by TxDOT. Buy one through the TxDOT CRIS system for $6 (regular) or $8 (certified). Access is restricted to people involved in the crash and their authorized representatives. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces alcohol laws statewide and may have records relevant to dram shop cases involving Waco establishments.

The Waco Police Department maintains DWI arrest records and handles all open records requests for incident and arrest reports from Waco-area DWI cases.

Waco Police Department records are the first stop for arrest documentation before DWI cases move to the McLennan County court system for prosecution.

McLennan County DUI Records

Waco is in McLennan County, and all DWI case filings go through the McLennan County court system. For more on courts, online search tools, fees, and county-level resources, visit the McLennan County DUI records page.

View McLennan County DUI Records

Nearby Cities

Looking for DWI records in other Central Texas cities near Waco? These cities have their own local agencies and courts.

• Austin DUI Records
• College Station DUI Records
• Dallas DUI Records