Find DUI Records in Brazoria County

Brazoria County DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk at 111 E. Locust Street in Angleton. With a population over 400,000, Brazoria County is one of the larger counties in the Houston metro area, and its court system processes a substantial number of DWI cases each year. Records are available through the clerk offices in Angleton or through the state-level systems described below.

Brazoria County District Clerk

The Brazoria County District Clerk handles all felony DWI records for the county. That means third and subsequent DWI offenses, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter all go through this office at 111 E. Locust Street in Angleton. The District Clerk can be reached at (979) 864-1350. This office maintains case filings, docket entries, plea agreements, judgments, and sentencing orders.

Searches can be done in person during business hours. You'll need the defendant's name or a case number to look up records. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page for regular copies and an additional $5.00 for certified documents. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Brazoria County. The Texas Judicial Branch provides context on how district courts manage felony criminal records across the state.

Brazoria County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

The Brazoria County Clerk at (979) 864-1355 maintains all misdemeanor DWI records. These cover first and second offense cases handled by the County Courts at Law. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. A BAC of 0.15 or higher at first offense raises the charge to Class A. Both are misdemeanor cases tried in the county court system.

The County Clerk office shares the same building at 111 E. Locust Street in Angleton. Mail requests are accepted. Include the defendant's name, date of birth if known, and the approximate date of the arrest. Bring valid government-issued ID when visiting in person. Records are public and available during normal business hours.

How to Search Brazoria County DUI Records

For DWI records in Brazoria County, contact the appropriate clerk office based on the type of case. Felony cases go to the District Clerk; misdemeanor cases go to the County Clerk. In-person visits let you search by name or case number at the public access terminals. Mail requests work if you provide enough identifying information.

For statewide criminal history records, the Texas DPS Crime Records Division compiles conviction data from all Texas counties. You can submit a public information request through the DPS Public Information Center by email to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or by mail to the Austin DPS office.

Crash records from DWI-related accidents that occurred in Brazoria County are held by TxDOT. Officers must submit crash reports within 10 days for incidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Authorized parties can purchase these reports online for $6 to $8. As of January 2025, all subpoena-related TxDOT records requests must go through the CRIS online system.

Driving records can be ordered directly through dps.texas.gov. A Type 3A certified complete driving history costs $10 online. These records show violations, suspensions, and license status.

Texas DWI Law and Brazoria County Cases

Brazoria County DWI prosecutions follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A standard first offense is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days in county jail and fines up to $2,000. The 72-hour minimum is mandatory, unlike most other Class B misdemeanors. A first offense with a BAC of 0.15 or above is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000.

Second DWI offense carries a mandatory 30-day minimum jail term and is prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor. Third and subsequent convictions become third-degree felonies under Section 49.09. Felony DWI carries 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and fines up to $10,000. State assessments of $3,000 to $6,000 are added at sentencing per TxDOT impaired driving guidelines.

Intoxication assault causes serious bodily injury while driving intoxicated and is a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter, which causes death, is a second-degree felony with 2 to 20 years in prison. If the victim was a peace officer, firefighter, or EMS worker in the line of duty, the offense can be elevated to first degree.

DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony, carrying 180 days to 2 years regardless of prior conviction history. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission also plays a role in related cases involving alcohol sales to minors or to already-intoxicated persons.

Note: Officers may arrest for DWI without a warrant when the offense occurs in their presence, per Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 14.

License Suspension After Brazoria County DWI Arrest

A DWI arrest in Brazoria County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process run by Texas DPS. The arresting officer takes the physical license and issues a 40-day temporary permit. Drivers have exactly 15 days to request a hearing with the State Office of Administrative Hearings to fight the suspension.

Refusal to submit to chemical testing brings a 180-day suspension for a first refusal. A failed test at 0.08 or above means 90 days. Second or subsequent violations within 10 years double these periods. The law governing this process is Transportation Code Chapter 524. The ALR case and the criminal DWI case are completely separate. A dismissal in criminal court does not cancel the ALR suspension.

Drivers under 21 face zero-tolerance rules. Any detectable alcohol while driving can result in suspension under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Refusal by a minor results in a 6-month suspension; a failed test means 60 days for a first offense. Getting a license back after any suspension requires a $125 reinstatement fee paid to DPS.

Nearby Counties

Brazoria County is in the Houston metro area and shares borders with several other counties. Each has its own court system for handling DWI cases.