DeWitt County DUI and DWI Records

DeWitt County DWI records are kept at the County Clerk and District Clerk offices in Cuero, the county seat. DUI and DWI cases in DeWitt County go through county and district courts depending on the severity of the offense. This South Texas county is part of the 24th Judicial District and has courts that handle all levels of intoxication-related criminal cases. If you need to find a DWI record in DeWitt County, the offices in Cuero are your starting point.

DeWitt County Clerk and District Clerk

DeWitt County's County Clerk maintains misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offense cases. The District Clerk maintains felony DWI records. Both offices operate at the DeWitt County Courthouse in Cuero. Records requests can be made in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You will need a valid ID and the name of the defendant or the case number to search effectively.

Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, a first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. A second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor. A third or subsequent DWI is a third-degree felony handled in district court. The 24th District Court serving DeWitt County has jurisdiction over felony intoxication offenses including intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.

Copies of records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $5.00 per document. Mail requests are accepted with a self-addressed stamped envelope. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov.

Looking Up DWI Cases in DeWitt County

DeWitt County does not have a comprehensive public online search portal for criminal cases. Most searches require an in-person visit or a written request by mail. You can contact the clerk's office by phone to ask about the process before making the trip to Cuero. For statewide court information and resources, the Texas Judicial Branch website provides guides on how courts operate across the state.

Driving records that reflect DWI arrests and license suspensions can be ordered through the Texas DPS at dps.texas.gov. A three-year driving history record costs $4.00 online. A complete certified driving history costs $10.00. You will need your Texas driver's license number, date of birth, and DPS audit number. Processing by mail takes up to three weeks.

Criminal history records from DPS can be requested through the DPS Public Information Division. Email requests go to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov. Written requests can be mailed to the DPS office at Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0140. Conviction and deferred adjudication records are available for individuals requesting their own records through the CR-63 process.

Note: Crash reports linked to DeWitt County DWI incidents are available from TxDOT's CRIS system at $6.00 for a regular copy or $8.00 for a certified version.

Texas DWI Law and DeWitt County Cases

Texas law defines intoxication two ways under Penal Code Section 49.01. First, a person is intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher. Second, a person is intoxicated when alcohol or drugs have impaired their normal mental or physical faculties. Officers can charge DWI under either standard. This means a driver below 0.08 BAC can still be arrested if their driving or behavior shows impairment.

First offense DWI penalties include up to 180 days in jail with a 72-hour minimum, a $2,000 fine, and driver's license suspension for up to a year. The state also imposes surcharges on top of court fines. TxDOT's impaired driving page summarizes current penalty structures. A second DWI conviction requires a minimum of 30 days in jail. A DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony regardless of prior record, under Penal Code Section 49.045.

For drivers under 21, Texas has a zero tolerance standard. Under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any detectable alcohol in a minor's system while driving is a DUI offense. The first offense is a Class C misdemeanor. License suspension for minors begins at 30 days for a first DUI. Courts may require an alcohol awareness program for minors found guilty or placed on deferred disposition.

Officers in DeWitt County use standardized field sobriety tests and may seek a search warrant for blood draws if the driver refuses testing. Blood draw warrants are governed by Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 14 and related statutes. Blood samples must be processed by an accredited lab to be admissible in court.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

When a person is arrested for DWI in DeWitt County, the officer submits paperwork triggering the Administrative License Revocation process under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524. The driver receives a temporary permit valid for 40 days. If they want to contest the suspension, they must request an ALR hearing within 15 days of the arrest. Missing this deadline waives the right to a hearing.

At the ALR hearing, the State Office of Administrative Hearings reviews whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop the car, probable cause to arrest, and whether the driver was properly asked to submit to testing. The burden of proof is lower than in criminal court. The suspension can be upheld even if the driver is eventually found not guilty of DWI in the criminal case.

Reinstatement after a suspension requires paying a $125 fee to DPS. License status can be checked and fees paid through the DPS Driver License Division portal. Ignition interlock may be required as a condition of a restricted license during the suspension period, depending on the offense level.

The Texas DPS Driver License Division manages administrative license revocation records for DWI arrests throughout DeWitt County and the state.

Driving records reflecting DWI history, suspension periods, and reinstatement status are maintained by DPS and can be ordered online or by mail.

Nearby Counties

DeWitt County is in South Texas. These nearby counties may also have related records if an incident occurred near county lines.