Fayette County DWI Records

Fayette County DUI and DWI records are kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk in La Grange. The 155th District Court handles felony DWI charges, while the County Court at Law processes first and second offense misdemeanor cases. Both offices are at 151 N. Washington Street in La Grange, and in-person visits are the most reliable way to get case documents from this rural central Texas county.

Fayette County District Clerk

The Fayette County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records processed through the 155th District Court. Felony DWI offenses in Texas include a third or subsequent DWI conviction, DWI with a child passenger under 15, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. The 155th District Court covers both Fayette and Lee counties, so the docket handles cases from a broader region.

The District Clerk's office is at 151 N. Washington Street, La Grange, TX 78945. The phone number is (979) 968-3548. Document copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an extra fee. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov. Online record access is limited for this county, so in-person or mail requests are how most people get documents. Bring the defendant's full name and a rough date range to help locate the file quickly.

Fayette County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI

The Fayette County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI records from the County Court at Law. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a first DWI offense is a Class B misdemeanor. That means 72 hours to 180 days in county jail and fines up to $2,000. A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum sentence. Both are handled in the County Court rather than the District Court.

The County Clerk's office is also at 151 N. Washington Street, with a direct line at (979) 968-3251. Service is in-person. Records include charge type, bond details, court dates, plea information, and the final case outcome. Misdemeanor DWI convictions are permanent public records. Call ahead to ask about current processing times and what to bring when you visit.

For statewide checks that go beyond Fayette County's local files, Texas DPS Crime Records provides a centralized search covering convictions reported from courts across the state.

Searching Fayette County DWI Records

Fayette County does not have a full public online case search system. Records must be accessed in person or by mail. Determine whether the case was a misdemeanor or felony before you go, since the two clerk offices are separate. If you're not sure, start with the District Clerk who can redirect you if the case is in the County Court records instead.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Fayette County are held by TxDOT through the CRIS online system. These peace officer crash reports are separate from court records and document what happened at the scene of an accident. They cost $6 for a standard copy, $8 for certified. They're available to involved parties, attorneys, and others with a legitimate need.

If you need to verify someone's Texas driving record or license status, that information comes from Texas DPS driver record portal. A complete certified driving history is $10 and shows DWI convictions, license suspensions, and other relevant events on the record.

Note: The 155th District Court serves both Fayette and Lee counties. A search of Fayette County cases may also uncover related proceedings from Lee County in the same case file.

Texas DWI Law Applied in Fayette County

Fayette County prosecutes all DWI cases under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. To prove DWI, the state must show the defendant operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxication means a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or the loss of normal use of mental or physical faculties. That standard applies to alcohol and drugs alike.

A BAC of 0.15 or above at the time of arrest raises a first offense from Class B to Class A misdemeanor under Section 49.04(d). Third and subsequent offenses become third-degree felonies under Section 49.09. Driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 15 years old is charged as a state jail felony under Section 49.045 regardless of how many prior DWIs the driver has.

Texas law does not allow deferred adjudication for DWI. Every DWI case in Fayette County must result in a conviction or a full dismissal. There is no middle-ground deferral option. Records for all DWI convictions in the county are retained permanently under Texas records laws.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission at tabc.texas.gov handles alcohol enforcement and licensing matters that occasionally intersect with DWI cases, particularly in commercial contexts.

ALR and License Suspension in Fayette County

Every DWI arrest in Fayette County starts the Administrative License Revocation process managed by Texas DPS. The officer takes the physical license at the time of arrest and gives a temporary 40-day permit. The driver must request a hearing within 15 days or the suspension activates automatically once the permit expires.

Refusing to take the breath or blood test brings a 180-day suspension for a first offense. Failing the test at 0.08 or higher means a 90-day suspension. If the driver had an ALR suspension within the past 10 years, those periods double. The rules for this process are in Transportation Code Chapter 524. The ALR case is separate from the criminal DWI case and can go either way regardless of what happens in court.

Reinstatement after a suspension requires a $125 fee to DPS. Driver records showing suspension history and conviction dates are available from dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 depending on the record type needed.

Texas DPS Records Access

The Texas DPS public information portal handles statewide record requests that cover Fayette County arrests and convictions in addition to state-level data.

DPS records are useful when you need to verify a prior conviction from outside Fayette County or check on license status after a DWI arrest.

Nearby Counties

Fayette County is in south-central Texas. DWI cases in nearby counties are processed through their own courts.