Search Calhoun County DUI Records

Calhoun County DWI and DUI records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk offices located at the courthouse in Port Lavaca. Whether you need to find a court case, look up an arrest, or get a copy of a DWI filing, both clerk offices in Calhoun County can help. This page covers how those offices work, what records they keep, and how to access them under Texas law.

Calhoun County Clerk Offices

The Calhoun County District Clerk handles all felony criminal cases, including third-offense DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. The office is located at 211 S. Ann Street in Port Lavaca. The 267th District Court serves Calhoun County for felony matters.

The County Clerk at the same address maintains misdemeanor DWI records. First and second offense DWI cases are Class B and Class A misdemeanors under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04. These go through the County Court at Law. Both offices are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Port Lavaca Police Department also keeps arrest records. You can contact them at 914 W. Main Street, Port Lavaca, at (361) 552-3225. Written record requests are accepted in person or by mail.

How to Find Calhoun County DWI Records

To search for DWI records in Calhoun County, you can visit the courthouse in Port Lavaca during business hours. Tell the clerk the name of the person or provide a case number. Staff will search the index and pull case information. You may view the file and request copies. Bring a photo ID.

Calhoun County has limited online access to court records. The statewide Texas Courts website provides general case lookup tools for many counties, but access varies. For the most complete record search in Calhoun County, an in-person or mail request to the clerk's office is the most reliable method.

Mail requests should include the full name of the subject, the approximate year of the case, your contact information, and a check or money order for any applicable fees. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00 per document. The office will respond with an estimate before processing.

If you need a driving record connected to a DWI arrest, order it through Texas DPS Driver Records. Driving records show license suspensions, reinstatements, and violation history.

DWI Laws in Texas

Texas defines intoxication two ways under Penal Code Chapter 49. A person is intoxicated if their BAC is 0.08 or more, or if alcohol or drugs affect their normal mental or physical faculties. Either standard can support a DWI charge.

A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. If the driver had an open container of alcohol in reach, the minimum jail time jumps to 6 days. A BAC of 0.15 or more upgrades the charge to a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Second DWI convictions carry at least 30 days in jail with a maximum of one year, plus fines up to $4,000. A third offense is a third-degree felony. That means 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. The 267th District Court in Calhoun County handles felony DWI prosecutions.

Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter are more serious felonies. Causing serious bodily injury while driving drunk is a third-degree felony. Causing death is a second-degree felony, which carries 2 to 20 years in prison. Per the TxDOT impaired driving page, state surcharges of $3,000 to $6,000 also apply annually after conviction.

License Suspension Rules

After a DWI arrest in Calhoun County, the officer takes the driver's license and issues a 40-day temporary driving permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days to contest the suspension. If no hearing is requested, the suspension takes effect on day 40. This process is governed by Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524.

The ALR suspension runs separately from the criminal DWI case. A person can have their license suspended even if the criminal case is later dismissed. Suspension periods are 90 days for a failed test (first offense) or 180 days for refusing to test (first refusal). Repeat offenses bring longer suspensions. After any suspension, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS before driving again.

Note: Drivers under 21 face zero tolerance rules. Any detectable alcohol triggers a DUI charge under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, with license suspension even for a first offense.

Texas DPS Records and Calhoun County

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division serves as the state's central repository for criminal history data, including DWI arrests and dispositions from Calhoun County.

Local agencies such as the Calhoun County Sheriff and Port Lavaca Police submit arrest data to DPS, where it becomes part of the statewide criminal history database accessible to authorized users.

Resources for Calhoun County DWI Cases

Anyone dealing with a DWI case in Calhoun County can use the State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service at (800) 252-9690 or search at texasbar.com for attorneys who handle DWI defense in the area. Legal help is important in DWI cases because penalties are steep and the law is specific.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission handles alcohol licensing and enforcement issues. For public records requests from local law enforcement agencies in Calhoun County, submit a written request under the Texas Public Information Act. You can also contact the DPS Public Information office for state-level records.

Crash reports from Calhoun County DWI accidents are available through TxDOT's crash report system. A regular copy costs $6 and a certified copy costs $8, delivered by email after purchase online.

Nearby Counties

Calhoun County is along the Texas Gulf Coast. Adjacent counties each have their own courts and clerk offices for DWI records.