Bandera County DUI Records

Bandera County DWI and DUI records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk in Bandera, Texas. The county is part of the 198th Judicial District and sits in the Texas Hill Country. Records go back to 1856. The County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI cases and the District Clerk handles felony cases. Both offices are in Bandera and open to the public Monday through Friday. If you need to search for a DWI case or get a copy of court documents, the clerk's offices in Bandera are where you start.

Bandera County Clerk and District Clerk

The Bandera County Clerk is Barbara B. Carter. The County Clerk office is at 500 Main St., Bandera, TX 78003. The phone is (830) 796-3336. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Records go back to 1856. Copy fees are $1.00 per page and certification costs $5.00 per document. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov.

The District Clerk's office phone is (830) 796-3351 at the same address. The 198th Judicial District Court handles felony DWI cases for Bandera County. This includes third offense DWI, DWI with a child passenger, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys. Grand jury meets regularly. Appeals from the 198th District go to the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio.

Bandera County Sheriff

The Bandera County Sheriff is Daniel Butts. The Sheriff's Office is at 3360 Hwy 173 South, Bandera, TX 78003, and the phone is (830) 796-3771. The sheriff's office handles law enforcement throughout the county, including the county jail, arrest records, criminal investigations, and patrol. Open records requests are accepted in writing.

To get a copy of a DWI arrest report or incident report from the Bandera County Sheriff's Office, submit a written request. Include the date and location of the incident, names of the parties involved, and any case number you have. Under the Texas Public Information Act, most arrest reports and incident records are public. However, records for active investigations may be withheld temporarily.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Bandera County are filed with TxDOT under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.062. Regular copies cost $6.00 and certified copies are $8.00. You must use the CRIS online system to order them. Subpoena requests must also go through CRIS since January 2025.

DWI Laws in Texas

Bandera County enforces the same Texas DWI laws as the rest of the state. Under Penal Code Chapter 49, a person commits DWI by operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. The Hill Country's winding roads and the county's reputation as a destination area make DWI enforcement a priority here. The Texas Highway Patrol and Bandera County Sheriff's Office both patrol local highways.

A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. That means up to 180 days in jail with a 72-hour minimum, plus a fine up to $2,000. A BAC of 0.15 or above bumps it to a Class A misdemeanor. Second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum. Third DWI is a third degree felony. These penalties exclude state surcharges, which add $3,000 to $6,000 on top of court fines.

DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony. Intoxication assault is a third degree felony (2 to 10 years). Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony (2 to 20 years). Texas minors with any detectable alcohol face a DUI charge under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. The TxDOT impaired driving page has a complete summary of all penalties.

License Suspension After DWI Arrest

Any DWI arrest in Bandera County triggers the ALR process. After arrest, the officer gives you a Notice of Suspension that works as a 40-day temporary driving permit. You have 15 days from the arrest date to request an ALR hearing through Texas DPS. If you do not request one, the suspension begins automatically on day 40.

Refusing chemical testing means a 180-day first-offense suspension. Failing the test (BAC 0.08 or higher) means a 90-day suspension for first offense. Both are longer for repeat offenses. Reinstatement requires a $125 fee paid to Texas DPS. The ALR process is separate from the criminal case. The statute is Transportation Code Chapter 524. The DPS Crime Records Division also maintains records of DWI convictions statewide.

Bandera County Records Office

The Bandera County Clerk's official website provides contact information, office hours, and details on accessing public records including DWI court filings in the county.

The County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI records and public access to court documents. The District Clerk at the same office handles felony DWI case filings.

Nearby Counties

These Hill Country counties are near Bandera County.