Caldwell County DUI and DWI Records

Caldwell County DUI and DWI records are kept by the County Clerk and District Clerk offices in Lockhart, Texas. If you need to find a DWI arrest, court case, or related filing in Caldwell County, this page covers where to look, what offices handle these records, and how the process works under Texas law. The county seat is Lockhart, and all criminal cases go through the county courthouse located there.

Where to Find Caldwell County DWI Records

Two offices handle DWI records in Caldwell County. The County Clerk keeps records for misdemeanor cases, which covers first and second offense DWI charges. The District Clerk handles felony cases, including third-offense DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. Both offices are at the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart.

Misdemeanor DWI cases fall under Class A and Class B misdemeanor classifications. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a first DWI is typically a Class B misdemeanor. The County Clerk's office at the courthouse holds those files. If a person has prior DWI convictions or the charge involves a child passenger or serious bodily injury, it becomes a felony and goes to the District Clerk.

Note: Copy fees are typically $1.00 per page with a $5.00 certification fee for official copies.

How to Search Caldwell County DUI Records

You can search Caldwell County DWI records in person at the courthouse or through the statewide court search tool. The statewide Texas Courts website provides general court information, while the Office of Court Administration maintains records access for many counties. In-person visits let you look at the full case file and ask staff for help finding what you need.

When you go in person, bring a government-issued ID. Tell the clerk the name of the person whose record you are searching, or provide a case number if you have one. Staff can run a name search and pull up case details. You may request plain copies or certified copies. Certified copies cost more but carry an official seal, which some agencies require.

You can also request records by mail. Write a letter to the appropriate clerk's office, include the subject's full name, approximate date of the case, and your contact information. Send a check or money order for any estimated fees. The clerks will respond and let you know the total cost before sending copies.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also maintains driving records. If you need to check license suspension history connected to a DWI arrest, visit DPS Driver Records to order a certified driving record.

Texas DWI Laws and Penalties

Texas law defines DWI in Penal Code Chapter 49. A person is intoxicated if they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or if alcohol or drugs impair their normal mental or physical faculties. Both definitions can be used at trial. Officers test drivers using breath, blood, or urine.

A first DWI conviction brings up to 180 days in jail with a mandatory 3-day minimum, a fine up to $2,000, and loss of your license for up to one year. The state also adds surcharges on top of fines. These surcharges ran as high as $3,000 to $6,000 per year for several years after conviction. If someone had a BAC of 0.15 or more, the offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum one-year jail term and fines up to $4,000.

A second DWI offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties include 30 days to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. A third DWI is a third-degree felony under Penal Code Section 49.09. That means 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Felony cases in Caldwell County go through the 22nd Judicial District Court.

Driving with a child under 15 in the vehicle while intoxicated is a state jail felony under Section 49.045. This applies even if it is a first offense. The person faces 180 days to 2 years in state jail and fines up to $10,000. Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter carry even heavier sentences when serious injury or death results.

Note: Texas TxDOT impaired driving laws also explain that state surcharges apply on top of court fines. These are separate from what the court orders.

Texas DPS and DWI Enforcement

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains statewide criminal history data, including DWI arrests and convictions from Caldwell County and every other county in Texas.

The Crime Records Division acts as the state's clearinghouse for criminal history information, compiling data submitted by local agencies including the Caldwell County Sheriff and Lockhart Police Department.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

When a person is arrested for DWI in Caldwell County, the arresting officer takes their license and issues a temporary driving permit. This permit is good for 40 days. The driver has just 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. If they do not ask for a hearing in time, the suspension happens automatically on day 40.

The ALR process is separate from the criminal case. Even if the DWI charge is dismissed or the defendant is found not guilty, the license suspension can still stand. The ALR hearing is handled by the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524 framework and conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Suspension periods depend on the reason. Refusing to take a chemical test results in a 180-day suspension for a first refusal, or 2 years if the driver has a prior refusal within 10 years. Failing a test (BAC of 0.08 or more) results in a 90-day suspension for a first offense. After the suspension ends, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS before driving privileges are restored.

Crash Reports in Caldwell County

If a DWI in Caldwell County involved a vehicle crash, a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) was likely filed. TxDOT is the official custodian of crash reports in Texas. Officers must submit a report within 10 days for any crash involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more.

Crash reports are not fully public. Access is limited to people directly involved in the accident, their insurance companies, attorneys, and other authorized parties. You can order a copy through TxDOT's online purchase system. A regular copy costs $6 and a certified copy costs $8. Reports are sent by email after purchase.

Note: Crash reports are separate from the criminal DWI case file held by the court clerk. You may need to request both to get the full picture of what happened.

DUI by Minors in Caldwell County

Texas uses a zero tolerance rule for drivers under 21. Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, a minor commits an offense if they drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. The amount does not have to reach 0.08. Even a small amount is enough for a citation.

A first offense DUI by a minor is a Class C misdemeanor. The penalty includes a fine up to $500, mandatory alcohol awareness classes, and 8 to 12 hours of community service. The minor's license is suspended for 30 days on a first offense. A second offense brings a 60-day suspension and more community service. Courts typically require the minor to complete an approved alcohol awareness program.

Parents or guardians of minors under 18 may be required to attend the alcohol awareness program with them. These records are kept by Justice of the Peace courts in Caldwell County for Class C cases, and may have some restrictions on access due to the age of the defendant.

Local Resources and Legal Help

If you are involved in a DWI case in Caldwell County, several resources can help. The State Bar of Texas runs a lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690. You can also search online at texasbar.com to find attorneys licensed in Texas who handle DWI defense.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces alcohol laws statewide and handles licensing matters connected to alcohol sales. For public information requests about DWI arrests or case records from the Caldwell County Sheriff or Lockhart Police Department, submit a written request under the Texas Public Information Act. You can email or mail requests to the agency's public information officer.

The Texas DPS Public Information Requests page explains how to request records from DPS, including driving history and criminal history data tied to DWI arrests across the state.

Nearby Counties

Caldwell County borders several other Texas counties. If you are not sure which county handles a specific DWI case, check the address where the arrest took place.