Atascosa County DUI Records

Atascosa County DWI and DUI records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Jourdanton, Texas. The county seat is Jourdanton and Atascosa County is part of the 81st Judicial District. Records date back to 1856. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI cases and the District Clerk handles felony cases. Both offices are open to the public during regular business hours. If you need to search for a DWI record or get a certified copy of a court document, the clerk's offices in Jourdanton are your first stop.

Atascosa County Clerk and District Clerk

The Atascosa County Clerk is Diana L. Barrera. The County Clerk's office is at Circle Drive, Courthouse Annex, Room 101, Jourdanton, TX 78026. The phone number is (830) 767-2511. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This office keeps all misdemeanor DWI records including first and second offense cases. Records go back to 1856. Copy fees are $1.00 per page and certification costs $5.00 per document. E-filing is available through eFileTexas.gov.

The District Clerk for Atascosa County is Jo Ann Casanova. The office phone is (830) 769-2620. This office maintains all felony criminal case records including DWI third offense and higher, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. The 81st Judicial District Court handles these cases. E-filing has been mandatory for attorneys since January 1, 2016. Appeals go to the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio. The Atascosa County District Clerk page has additional details.

Atascosa County Sheriff's Office

The Atascosa County Sheriff is David Soward. The Sheriff's Office is at 1108 Campbell Ave., Jourdanton, TX 78026, and the phone is (830) 769-3451. The office provides full law enforcement services for the county. It operates the county jail and maintains arrest records. Open records requests are accepted in person or by mail. Criminal investigations, patrol services, warrant division, and sex offender registration are all handled here.

To get copies of arrest records or incident reports from a DWI case in Atascosa County, submit a written open records request to the Sheriff's Office. Include the date of the incident, names involved, and any case number you have. Response times depend on the volume and complexity of the request. Some records may be withheld for ongoing investigation reasons.

Crash reports from DWI accidents go through the Texas Department of Transportation crash records system. Standard copies cost $6.00 and certified copies are $8.00. As of January 1, 2025, TxDOT no longer accepts subpoena requests by mail. You must use the CRIS Request online system for court-related requests.

County Court at Law

The Atascosa County Court at Law handles Class A and B misdemeanor DWI cases. This includes first and second offense DWI. The court also has probate jurisdiction and civil jurisdiction for cases under $250,000. Community service programs and payment plans are available for defendants. Online services are available for some fines and fees.

For first-time DWI defendants, the court may offer deferred adjudication. This means the case is put on hold while the defendant completes probation conditions. If all conditions are met, the case may be dismissed. Conditions typically include a DWI education program, community service hours, regular reporting, and no further alcohol violations. Deferred adjudication is not available in all cases and is at the judge's discretion.

Note: Even with a deferred adjudication or case dismissal, the Texas DPS ALR process operates independently. A dismissed criminal case does not automatically restore a suspended driver's license.

Texas DWI Laws

Texas DWI is a serious offense. Under Penal Code Chapter 49, first offense DWI carries up to 180 days in jail with a 72-hour minimum, plus a fine up to $2,000. If a driver has a BAC of 0.15 or higher, the charge is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail. Second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum. Third DWI is a third degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison.

Texas also adds state surcharges of up to $6,000 on top of fines. DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony. Intoxication assault is a third degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony with up to 20 years in prison. The TxDOT impaired driving summary lists all penalty levels and ranges in plain language.

The zero tolerance rule for minors is in Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable amount of alcohol for a driver under 21 is a DUI offense. First offense is a Class C misdemeanor with fines, community service, and a mandatory alcohol awareness class.

Administrative License Revocation

After any DWI arrest in Atascosa County, the officer will give you a Notice of Suspension. This document acts as a 40-day temporary driving permit. You have exactly 15 days from the date of arrest to request an ALR hearing. Missing that deadline means the suspension takes effect automatically on day 40 without any hearing.

For first-time refusal to submit to a chemical test, the suspension is 180 days. A first failed test (BAC 0.08 or higher) means a 90-day suspension. Repeat offenses within 10 years mean longer suspensions. To restore your license, you must pay a $125 reinstatement fee to the Texas DPS. The governing statute is Transportation Code Chapter 524. The ALR case and the criminal case are completely separate proceedings.

Atascosa County District Clerk

The Atascosa County District Clerk in Jourdanton maintains felony criminal court records including DWI cases for the 81st Judicial District.

The District Clerk office handles e-filing, certified copies, and public access to court records including felony DWI case files for Atascosa County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Atascosa County in South Texas.