DWI Records in Dickens County

Dickens County DUI and DWI records are held at the County Clerk's office in Dickens, Texas, the county seat. This small rural county in West Texas is part of the 110th Judicial District and processes DWI cases through county and district courts. If you need to find a DWI record in Dickens County, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly, as online access is very limited for this jurisdiction.

Dickens County Clerk and Court Records

The Dickens County Clerk's office serves as the combined county and district clerk for this small West Texas county. Misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offenses are kept in the county court files. Felony DWI records, including third or more offenses and intoxication assault cases, are kept in the district court files. Both sets of records are accessed through the same clerk's office at the Dickens County Courthouse.

Texas law under Penal Code Chapter 49 sets the DWI offense levels. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor. A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor. A third or subsequent DWI conviction is a third-degree felony with a penalty of two to ten years in state prison. The 110th Judicial District Court handles felony DWI cases for Dickens County.

Records can be requested in person or by mail. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry a $5.00 certification fee per document. Bring the defendant's full name or case number when requesting records. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.

How to Access DWI Records in Dickens County

Dickens County is a very small rural county with limited online public records access. The best way to search for DWI records here is to call the clerk's office directly or visit in person. Staff can search by defendant name or case number. For statewide court information, the Texas Judicial Branch provides general guidance on accessing court records across all Texas counties.

For driving records that show DWI arrests and license suspensions, you can order directly from Texas DPS. The online system at dps.texas.gov lets you order Type 1 (status), Type 2 (three-year history), or Type 3 (complete history) records. Costs range from $4.00 to $22.00 depending on the record type. Mail requests use Form DR-1 and take up to three weeks to process.

Criminal history records are also available from the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. This division compiles criminal history data from law enforcement agencies statewide. You can request your own record or submit a proper form for another person's record under the guidelines of the Texas Government Code and federal Driver Privacy Protection Act.

Crash reports for Dickens County incidents are filed with TxDOT's crash records system. Standard reports cost $6.00 and certified reports cost $8.00. All purchases must be made through the CRIS online system, as TxDOT no longer accepts mail requests for crash reports as of January 2025.

DWI Penalties Under Texas Law

All Texas DWI cases follow state law, which applies equally in Dickens County and every other county. A first DWI conviction results in up to 180 days in jail (with a minimum 3 days), a fine up to $2,000, and up to one year of driver's license suspension. There are also state surcharges assessed on top of the fine. TxDOT's impaired driving page provides a plain-language summary of penalties.

If the driver's BAC was 0.15 or higher, the offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 49.04(d). This carries up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000. A DWI with an open container at arrest raises the minimum jail time from 3 to 6 days. DWI with a passenger under 15 is a state jail felony with a range of 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine up to $10,000.

For minors, Texas imposes a zero tolerance standard under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol in a minor's system while driving is a DUI charge. First offense DUI for a minor is a Class C misdemeanor. Second and third offenses carry escalating penalties including longer license suspensions and more community service hours. Courts must require an alcohol awareness program for minors convicted of any alcohol-related driving offense.

Note: State fines of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 are assessed at sentencing for DWI in addition to the maximum fines listed in the penal code.

Administrative License Suspension in Dickens County

A DWI arrest anywhere in Texas, including Dickens County, starts the Administrative License Revocation clock under Transportation Code Chapter 524. The arresting officer takes the driver's license and issues a 40-day temporary permit. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing. If no request is made, the suspension goes into effect on day 40 automatically.

For failing a breath or blood test at 0.08 or higher, the suspension is 90 days for a first offense. For refusing to take the test, the suspension is 180 days for a first offense. Both periods double if there is a prior suspension or refusal within the last ten years. ALR hearings are held by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, not in the local Dickens County courthouse.

After serving the suspension period, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS. Check your license status and pay online through dps.texas.gov. For more information on the ALR process, see the DPS Driver License Division website.

The Texas DPS Driver License Division handles administrative license revocation for all DWI arrests statewide, including those occurring in Dickens County.

Drivers who lose their license after a DWI arrest in Dickens County must pay a $125 reinstatement fee to DPS before receiving a new license.

Nearby Counties

Dickens County is in the Texas South Plains region. These nearby counties may have related records for incidents occurring near county borders.