Dimmit County DUI and DWI Records

Dimmit County DWI records are maintained at the County Clerk and District Clerk offices in Carrizo Springs, the county seat. DUI and DWI cases from this South Texas border county go through county and district courts depending on the severity of the offense. Dimmit County is part of the 81st Judicial District and processes intoxication-related criminal cases alongside Frio County. If you need to search DWI records in Dimmit County, start with the clerk's office in Carrizo Springs.

Dimmit County Clerk and District Clerk

The Dimmit County Clerk's office in Carrizo Springs handles misdemeanor DWI records. The District Clerk, also in Carrizo Springs, keeps felony DWI records. Both offices are located at the Dimmit County Courthouse on N. 5th Street. Records requests must be made in person or by mail, as online access is very limited for this rural border county.

Texas DWI is defined under Penal Code Section 49.04. First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. If the driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or more, it is upgraded to a Class A misdemeanor. Second-offense DWI is Class A. Third and subsequent DWI convictions are felonies handled by the 81st District Court. Dimmit County shares this district court with Frio County.

Staff can search by defendant name or case number. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov. Felony DWI records are kept permanently per Texas state law. Dismissed cases are typically retained for five years.

Searching DWI Records in Dimmit County

Dimmit County does not have a public online case search system. Records must be requested in person at the courthouse in Carrizo Springs or by submitting a written request by mail. When contacting the clerk's office, have the defendant's name, approximate year of the case, and case number if available. The Texas Judicial Branch provides statewide guidance on accessing court records.

Texas DPS maintains driving records for all Texas drivers. You can order a record online through dps.texas.gov or by mail using Form DR-1. Type 2 records (three-year history) cost $4.00 online. A full certified driving record costs $10.00. These records show DWI arrests, license suspensions, and reinstatement status. Processing takes about three weeks for mail requests.

Criminal history records are also available from the Texas DPS Crime Records Division. Personal criminal history can be requested using the CR-63 process. Researchers may access bulk criminal history data under Texas Government Code Section 411.083(b) with proper authorization. DPS can be contacted by email at publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or in writing at Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0140.

DWI Laws and Penalties in Dimmit County

Texas DWI law applies uniformly across all counties. A first DWI results in up to 180 days in jail (minimum 3 days), a fine up to $2,000, and license suspension for up to one year. The state also imposes additional surcharges at sentencing. TxDOT's impaired driving page outlines the full range of penalties for first, second, and third offenses.

Second-offense DWI carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days in county jail and a fine up to $4,000. Third and subsequent DWI convictions bring two to ten years in state prison. Intoxication assault, where serious injury occurs, is a third-degree felony under Penal Code Section 49.07. If the victim is a peace officer, firefighter, or EMS worker on duty, the charge may be elevated to a higher degree felony.

Dimmit County borders Mexico, and the area sees active DWI enforcement from local, county, and state law enforcement. Carriers of commercial vehicles are subject to stricter standards. Commercial drivers are intoxicated at a BAC of 0.04 under federal law, and a DWI conviction can result in disqualification from holding a CDL. All of these case records are filed at the Dimmit County courthouse.

For minors under 21, the zero tolerance standard applies under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol while driving is a DUI offense. First offense DUI for a minor is Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500, community service, and an alcohol awareness program.

License Suspension Process for Dimmit County Residents

Every DWI arrest in Texas starts the Administrative License Revocation process under Transportation Code Chapter 524. The officer takes the driver's license at arrest and issues a 40-day temporary permit. To avoid automatic suspension, the driver must request a hearing within 15 days. This hearing is held by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, not at the local courthouse.

At the ALR hearing, the judge considers whether police had lawful grounds to stop the vehicle, probable cause to arrest, and whether the driver refused or failed chemical testing. The ALR process is administrative. It uses a preponderance of the evidence standard, which is lower than the criminal beyond-reasonable-doubt standard. This means a driver can lose their license at the ALR hearing even if they later win their criminal case.

Suspension lengths are set by DPS based on whether the driver refused or failed testing and whether there are prior suspensions within ten years. Reinstatement requires a $125 fee paid to DPS. Check status and pay fees at dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license. Ignition interlock devices may be required for restricted driving privileges during the suspension period.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division compiles criminal history from law enforcement agencies statewide, including DWI arrest data from Dimmit County.

Criminal history and driving records can be requested from DPS by mail, email, or in person at the DPS office in Austin.

Nearby Counties

Dimmit County is in South Texas near the Mexican border. These counties neighbor Dimmit County and may have related records.