Brewster County DWI Records

Brewster County DUI and DWI records are maintained through the combined County and District Clerk office in Alpine, the county seat. As the largest county in Texas by area, Brewster County is sparsely populated but covers vast rural terrain. DWI cases are processed through the 83rd Judicial District Court, which convenes in Alpine on a rotating schedule shared with several neighboring Far West Texas counties.

Where to Find Brewster County DWI Records

Brewster County uses a combined clerk office for both County and District Clerk functions. The office can be reached at (432) 837-6200. This is normal for smaller Texas counties where the caseload does not justify separate offices. All criminal records, whether misdemeanor DWI cases or felony DWI filings, are maintained here.

The 83rd District Court serves Brewster County along with several other Far West Texas counties: Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, and Terrell. This court holds sessions in Alpine on a rotating monthly schedule, which is different from urban counties where courts sit continuously. If you need records from a felony DWI case, knowing the approximate year of the case will help staff locate the file. In-person requests are processed in 3 to 5 days. Mail requests take a bit longer.

Standard fees apply: $1.00 per page for copies, $5.00 for a certified copy. Payment by check or money order is standard for mail requests. Walk-in visitors should bring a valid photo ID. The Texas Judicial Branch provides general information about how Texas courts are organized and how to access records.

Brewster County Sheriff and Alpine Police Records

The Brewster County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction across the entire county, which at nearly 6,200 square miles is the largest county in Texas. The Sheriff's office address is P.O. Box 1349, Alpine, TX 79831, and the main line is (432) 837-3488. For DWI arrest reports, you submit a written open records request to the Sheriff's office. Standard report fee is $5.00.

The Alpine Police Department handles DWI arrests within Alpine city limits. Their office is at 101 E. Holland Avenue, Alpine, TX 79830, and can be reached at (432) 837-3486. Incident and arrest report requests are accepted in person or by mail. Fees are $5.00 per report. Given the limited staff in a small department, processing may take slightly longer than in larger cities.

The Texas Department of Public Safety's Highway Patrol is also active on the highways through Brewster County, including US-90 and other routes through the Big Bend region. DPS arrest reports can be obtained through the DPS Public Information Center.

Texas DPS state records supplement what is available locally through the Brewster County clerk office for DUI and DWI criminal history searches.

Texas DWI Law in Brewster County

All DWI cases in Brewster County are governed by Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days in county jail and a fine up to $2,000. The 72-hour jail minimum is mandatory. A BAC of 0.15 or above elevates the first offense to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000.

Second DWI offense carries a mandatory 30-day minimum jail term. Third and higher offenses are third-degree felonies under Section 49.09, with 2 to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000. On top of those penalties, additional state fines of $3,000 to $6,000 are assessed at sentencing per TxDOT's impaired driving guidelines.

Big Bend National Park and the surrounding area bring many visitors and outdoor enthusiasts to the region. The combination of long stretches of remote highway and limited law enforcement coverage means DWI stops often occur on US-90 or other rural routes. Texas law allows warrantless arrests for DWI under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 14 when the offense occurs in the officer's presence.

Officers throughout Brewster County must hold TCOLE certification for administering standardized field sobriety tests, as required under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701.

Note: DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony regardless of the driver's prior record, carrying 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest in Brewster County

A DWI arrest anywhere in Brewster County starts the Administrative License Revocation process. The arresting officer takes the physical license and issues a 40-day temporary driving permit. The driver has 15 days from the arrest date to request a hearing with the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Missing that 15-day window means the suspension kicks in automatically on day 41.

Under Transportation Code Chapter 524, refusing the chemical test means a 180-day suspension for a first refusal. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means a 90-day suspension for a first failure. Second violations within 10 years double those periods. The ALR suspension stands even if the criminal DWI charge is dismissed or results in acquittal.

The zero-tolerance rule under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041 applies to drivers under 21. Any detectable alcohol is enough for a suspension. Getting a license reinstated after any ALR suspension requires paying a $125 fee to Texas DPS. Driving records can be ordered online at dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22.

The 83rd District Court and Brewster County Cases

The 83rd Judicial District Court is the district court for Brewster County. This court also covers Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, and Terrell counties, making it one of the geographically largest judicial districts in Texas. Sessions in Alpine happen on a rotating schedule, typically monthly. Because the court does not sit every day, felony DWI cases in Brewster County may take longer to move through the system than in counties with dedicated full-time courts.

Misdemeanor DWI cases (first and second offense) are handled by the County Court. The County Judge presides over these cases. Probation and community supervision for DWI offenses are administered locally for residents of the county.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces alcohol laws throughout the region, including checking compliance of licensed establishments in Alpine and Marfa, the two main cities in the area.

Nearby Counties

Brewster County is in Far West Texas and borders several other remote counties with their own DWI court systems.