Wichita Falls DUI and DWI Records

DUI and DWI records for Wichita Falls are maintained by Wichita County courts and the Wichita Falls Police Department. Whether you need to find a past DWI arrest, check the status of an open case, or get certified copies of court documents, all criminal DWI filings in Wichita Falls go through the Wichita County court system. Misdemeanor and felony cases are split between the County Clerk and the District Clerk depending on the charge level. This page covers where those records are, how to search them, and what Texas law says about DWI penalties.

Where to Access Wichita Falls DWI Records

Wichita Falls is the county seat of Wichita County, so all DWI court records are kept locally. Felony DWI cases are filed with the Wichita County District Clerk. These cases include third-offense DWI, intoxication assault under Penal Code Section 49.07, and intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08. The District Clerk office is located at the Wichita County Courthouse, 900 7th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Call (940) 766-8196 for assistance.

Misdemeanor DWI cases, meaning first and second offenses, are handled by the Wichita County Clerk at the same courthouse address. The County Clerk phone is (940) 766-8195. Both clerks keep records that are open to the public. You can visit in person during business hours or submit a written request by mail. Standard copy fees apply at $1.00 per page, with $5.00 for certified copies.

The Wichita Falls Police Department keeps arrest and incident records at its main station. The records division handles open records requests under the Texas Public Information Act. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or online through the city's portal. Report fees are standard at around $5.00 per document. Processing takes roughly ten business days. Check wichitafallstx.gov/police for the current request form and contact information.

How to Search Wichita Falls DUI Records

For court records, you can search in person at the Wichita County Courthouse. Staff can look up cases by defendant name or cause number. The statewide Texas courts portal also indexes some Wichita County cases and can be a good starting point if you are not sure which court has the record you need.

When you go in person, bring the full name of the person and an approximate filing year. If you have a case number or cause number, that makes the search much faster. Staff can pull the file and let you review it at the clerk's office. Copies are made from the file at the standard per-page rate. If you only need case status or hearing dates, those are often available at no charge.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division at dps.texas.gov also maintains conviction data in its statewide database. A DWI conviction in Wichita County would appear in the state system after the court reports the judgment. This is separate from the court record itself but can confirm whether a conviction shows up on the statewide criminal history.

DWI Laws and Penalties Applying in Wichita Falls

Texas law under Penal Code Chapter 49 sets the same DWI rules across all Texas cities including Wichita Falls. A person is intoxicated when their BAC reaches 0.08 or when alcohol or drugs impair normal physical or mental function at any BAC level. Officers use field sobriety tests and chemical testing to build a DWI case. The law under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 14.01 allows warrantless DWI arrests when the offense occurs in the officer's view.

First-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. It carries a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail, a maximum of 180 days, and a fine up to $2,000. If the driver had an open container in the vehicle, the minimum increases to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or higher at the time of arrest raises the first offense to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. Second-offense DWI is always a Class A with a minimum of 30 days. Third-offense DWI becomes a third-degree felony under Section 49.09, with two to ten years in state prison and fines up to $10,000.

Texas adds surcharges on top of court-imposed fines. These run $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 and are collected at sentencing. DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony regardless of prior convictions. Intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. All of these records go to the Wichita County District Clerk since they are felony-level offenses.

Minors in Wichita Falls face zero tolerance under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol is enough for a DUI charge for drivers under 21. First offense is a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine up to $500, community service hours, and a 30-day license suspension.

Administrative License Revocation in Wichita Falls

A DWI arrest in Wichita Falls starts two separate cases. The criminal case goes through Wichita County courts. The civil case is the Administrative License Revocation handled by Texas DPS under Transportation Code Chapter 524. Both run at the same time. The ALR outcome does not depend on what happens in criminal court.

When the officer arrests you, they confiscate your license and give you a temporary permit. The permit is good for 40 days. You have 15 days from the date of notice to request an ALR hearing through DPS. Missing that deadline means the suspension starts automatically on day 40 with no chance to contest it. The hearing is held by the State Office of Administrative Hearings and uses a lower burden of proof than the criminal trial.

First-time refusal to test brings a 180-day suspension. A second refusal within ten years raises that to two years. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means 90 days for a first offense and one year for a repeat within ten years. After the suspension period, you must pay a $125 reinstatement fee before DPS will issue a new license. Order your driving record or check reinstatement status online at dps.texas.gov.

Legal and Local Resources in Wichita Falls

The Wichita County Public Defender can be reached through the courthouse if you qualify for appointed counsel. Private attorney referrals are available through the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 or at texasbar.com. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission at tabc.texas.gov handles enforcement of alcohol-related violations separate from DWI criminal charges.

Crash reports from Wichita Falls accidents go to TxDOT. You can order a crash report through the CRIS system at txdot.gov. Regular copies cost $6.00 and certified copies cost $8.00. For DPS driving records, use the online order system at dps.texas.gov. Record types range from a basic status check to a complete certified history.

Texas DPS oversees driver license services and DWI-related suspensions for all Wichita Falls residents. The DPS driver license portal provides access to license status, record ordering, and reinstatement payment for those affected by a DWI in Wichita County.

The same portal handles requests under the Texas Public Information Act for DPS-held records including criminal history and driving records.

Wichita County DWI Records

Wichita Falls is the county seat, and all DWI criminal cases are filed at the Wichita County Courthouse. Visit the Wichita County records page for full details on court contact information, clerk hours, and how to request records from any city in the county.

View Wichita County DUI Records