Find DWI Records in Coryell County

Coryell County DUI and DWI records are filed with the District Clerk and County Clerk in Gatesville, Texas. The county's courts handle all levels of DWI cases from misdemeanor first offenses through felony intoxication charges. Records are available in person at the Gatesville courthouse, and requests by mail are accepted for those searching from out of the area.

Coryell County District Clerk

The Coryell County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records for the county. The office is at the Coryell County Courthouse in Gatesville, Texas. Felony DWI charges filed here include DWI third offense (a third-degree felony), intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15 (a state jail felony). These cases go through the 52nd Judicial District Court.

Court records from the District Clerk include the charge, offense level, bond type and amount, attorney information, all scheduled court dates, and the final case outcome. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov. The public can search records in person at the courthouse during regular business hours. Copy fees are $1.00 per page, and certified copies add a $5.00 fee per document. All felony DWI records are kept permanently.

The Texas Judicial Branch website provides access to court information and statistics for all district courts in Texas. For Coryell County cases, the court of appeals jurisdiction falls under the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.

Coryell County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Cases

The Coryell County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI records through the County Court at Law. First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04. This carries a minimum of 72 hours in jail and a maximum of 180 days, plus a fine up to $2,000. If the blood alcohol level was 0.15 or above, the charge steps up to Class A with up to one year in jail and fines to $4,000.

A second DWI offense is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 49.09, with a mandatory 30-day minimum jail term. Records from the County Clerk show the charge details, plea, all court settings, final sentence, and any community supervision or probation conditions. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Misdemeanor DWI convictions are permanent records. Dismissed cases are retained for five years.

The TxDOT impaired driving page gives a clear overview of DWI penalties in Texas, including the additional state fines of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 assessed on top of court fines at sentencing.

Texas DWI Law in Coryell County

All DWI charges in Coryell County fall under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. Section 49.04 defines the base offense as operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Texas defines intoxication two ways: impaired mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or drugs, or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. A person can be charged under either definition even if their BAC is below 0.08, provided there is evidence of impairment.

Felony DWI cases in Coryell County arise when the offense is a third or higher conviction, or when the DWI resulted in serious injury or death. Intoxication assault under Section 49.07 is a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08 is second-degree. These charges carry prison sentences of two to ten years and two to twenty years respectively. Cases involving a peace officer or firefighter as the victim can be elevated to higher felony degrees.

For minors, Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041 applies a zero tolerance rule. Any detectable alcohol is enough to charge a driver under 21 with DUI by minor. The first offense is a Class C misdemeanor with community service and mandatory alcohol education. Courts may require parents or guardians of defendants under 18 to attend the alcohol program along with the minor.

Crash reports tied to DWI incidents are held by TxDOT. Officers submit the CR-3 form within 10 days of any crash with injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Copies cost $6 standard or $8 certified through TxDOT's CRIS Request online system.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest in Coryell County

Every DWI arrest in Coryell County triggers the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation process. The arresting officer confiscates the driver's license and issues a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension becomes automatic on day 40.

The suspension rules are spelled out in Transportation Code Chapter 524. Adults refusing a chemical test face 180 days for a first offense, or two years if there was a prior refusal within 10 years. Adults who fail the test at 0.08 or above face 90 days on a first offense, or one year with a prior suspension within 10 years. The ALR hearing is an administrative matter handled by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, separate from the criminal case.

A $125 reinstatement fee is due to DPS before a new license can be issued after the suspension. Driving records are available online through dps.texas.gov. Record fees range from $4 to $22. Driver records are not available at DPS offices in person or by phone.

Accessing Coryell County DWI Records

To search Coryell County DWI records, visit the courthouse in Gatesville in person or submit a written request by mail. For a mail request, include the subject's full name, approximate date of the incident, your contact information, and payment for copy fees. Requests are processed under the Texas Public Information Act, which gives agencies up to 10 business days to respond.

Texas DPS provides statewide DWI data including criminal history and driving records that can supplement the case records held by the Coryell County clerk offices.

The Coryell County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in the unincorporated parts of the county. Sheriff's arrest reports are available through written public information requests and typically include the deputy's account of the stop, field sobriety test observations, chemical test results, and booking details. The DPS Public Information Center handles statewide record requests and can be reached by email at publicrecords@dps.texas.gov.

Note: Texas law generally requires a valid reason to access another person's driving record under the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act and Texas statute. Personal records can be ordered without restriction.

Nearby Counties

Coryell County is in Central Texas. Neighboring counties each have their own courts and records systems for DWI cases.