Deaf Smith County DUI and DWI Records

Deaf Smith County DUI and DWI records are kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Hereford, Texas. The county is served by the 100th Judicial District, shared with several other Panhandle counties. DWI case filings, arrest records, and court outcomes can be requested from the clerk's office in Hereford. Access is primarily in person or by written mail request, as online record search options are limited for this rural Panhandle county.

Deaf Smith County District Clerk

The Deaf Smith County District Clerk is at 235 E. 3rd Street, Hereford, TX 79045. Phone: (806) 363-7071. The District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records for the county. This includes third offense or higher DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter cases filed in the 100th District Court. E-filing is available for attorneys. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The 100th District Court is shared among multiple Panhandle counties. The district judge rotates to Hereford on scheduled dates rather than sitting daily. This affects when felony DWI hearings can be held and when new indictments are handed up. Contact the District Clerk to find out the current court calendar before making a trip to the courthouse for a felony DWI matter.

Felony DWI cases begin with a grand jury review. Grand jury proceedings are managed through the District Clerk's office. All public records from the district court are available for inspection during business hours. Mail requests are accepted and should include the defendant's name, approximate case year, and a check or money order for copy fees. Certified copies require an extra $5.00 per document.

County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Deaf Smith County Clerk at 235 E. 3rd Street, phone (806) 363-7072, maintains all misdemeanor DWI records. First and second offense DWI cases under Texas Penal Code Sections 49.04 and 49.09 go through the County Court at Law. The clerk's office tracks pleas, sentences, fines, and probation conditions for all misdemeanor DWI cases. Records are open to the public during business hours.

A first offense DWI in Deaf Smith County is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Open container raises the minimum to six days. BAC of 0.15 or above on a first offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor, meaning up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Second offense is Class A with a 30-day minimum. Texas adds state surcharges of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 on top of court fines.

Note: The County Clerk and District Clerk offices are in the same courthouse building at 235 E. 3rd Street, making it convenient to request both misdemeanor and felony DWI records in a single visit.

Sheriff and Hereford Police Records

The Deaf Smith County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in unincorporated parts of the county. The office can be reached at (806) 363-7003. Arrest reports include the deputy's narrative, stop documentation, field sobriety test results, chemical test data, and booking information. Written requests for records are processed during business hours.

For DWI arrests within the city of Hereford, contact the Hereford Police Department at 307 E. Park Avenue, phone (806) 364-4343. The Police Department handles records requests in person or by mail. Fees are $5.00 per report. All DWI arrests from both agencies are reported to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division, which maintains a statewide criminal history database. For a full picture of someone's DWI history across all Texas counties, a DPS criminal history request is the most thorough approach.

Crash reports from DWI incidents can be purchased through the TxDOT CRIS system for $6.00 standard or $8.00 certified. TxDOT keeps crash records for 10 years. As of January 2025, subpoena requests must go through the online CRIS system rather than by mail.

Texas DWI Law and Deaf Smith County Cases

Texas DWI is defined in Penal Code Chapter 49. The basic test for intoxication has two parts: either a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or loss of normal mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or any drug. Prosecutors in Deaf Smith County can charge under either standard depending on what the evidence shows. Both can lead to conviction even without a blood or breath test if the officer's observations are strong enough.

Third DWI is a third degree felony (2 to 10 years). DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony. Intoxication assault is a third degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony (2 to 20 years). The TxDOT impaired driving summary lists all Texas DWI penalties in plain language. Minors face a separate DUI charge under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041 for any detectable alcohol, which is a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense.

License Suspension and ALR Hearing

Any DWI arrest in Deaf Smith County starts the Administrative License Revocation process with Texas DPS. The arresting officer takes your physical license and gives you a 40-day temporary permit. You must request an ALR hearing within 15 days. If you do not, the suspension becomes automatic on day 40.

Refusing the chemical test means a 180-day suspension for first offense or two years with a prior refusal in the past 10 years. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means a 90-day suspension for first offense, one year with a prior. You must pay $125 to DPS to get your license reinstated after the suspension. The Transportation Code Chapter 524 governs the full ALR process. The ALR and the criminal case are separate. Winning or losing the criminal case does not determine the outcome of the ALR suspension.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces alcohol laws throughout Deaf Smith County, including licensing compliance and investigations of businesses serving alcohol to minors. The Texas Judicial Branch website covers how courts and judicial districts function across the state.

Texas state agency portals, including DPS and TxDOT, provide tools and records relevant to Deaf Smith County DWI cases.

Nearby Counties

These Panhandle counties border or are near Deaf Smith County.