Find DWI Records in Franklin County

Franklin County DUI and DWI records are kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Mount Vernon. This northeast Texas county uses the 8th Judicial District for felony cases and a County Court at Law for misdemeanor DWI charges. Both offices are in the Franklin County Courthouse in Mount Vernon. In-person or mail requests are the standard way to access local DWI case records.

Franklin County District Clerk

The Franklin County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records processed through the 8th Judicial District Court in Mount Vernon. Felony DWI charges include third or subsequent DWI offenses, DWI with a child under 15, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. The 8th District serves both Franklin and Delta counties, so the docket draws from across the region.

The District Clerk's office is in the courthouse at Mount Vernon, TX 75457. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov. Copies of case documents cost $1.00 per page, with $5.00 added for certified copies. Online access is limited. In-person and mail requests are the standard methods. If you're requesting records by mail, include the defendant's full name, approximate year of the case, and a return address or email for the response.

Franklin County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Franklin County Clerk maintains misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offense cases. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor carrying 72 hours to 180 days in county jail and fines up to $2,000. A second DWI steps up to Class A with a 30-day mandatory minimum. A BAC of 0.15 or higher on a first offense also triggers the Class A penalty range.

The County Clerk's office is also in the courthouse in Mount Vernon. Service is primarily in-person. Records from the county court level show the charge type, bond details, plea, and final disposition. Misdemeanor DWI convictions are permanent public records in Texas. Call ahead to ask about hours and what identifying information you'll need to locate the file. Standard copy fees apply.

For statewide criminal history searches that include Franklin County cases, Texas DPS Crime Records is available online and covers reported convictions from all Texas counties.

How to Get Franklin County DWI Records

Franklin County does not offer a public online case search portal. Access to case records requires an in-person visit to the courthouse in Mount Vernon or a written mail request directed to the appropriate clerk. If you're unsure whether the DWI was charged as a misdemeanor or felony, start with the District Clerk. They can point you to the right office if the case was a misdemeanor instead.

For statewide DWI records that include Franklin County, the Texas DPS Crime Records database is a useful resource. It shows convictions and deferred adjudications reported from all Texas courts. Dismissed charges and arrests that didn't lead to a conviction won't show there. You can also file a public information request through the DPS request portal.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Franklin County are held by TxDOT through the CRIS system. These are the peace officer crash reports (CR-3) filed after any reported accident. They cost $6 standard and $8 certified. These are separate from court case records and document what the officer observed at the accident scene.

Note: Interstate 30 runs through Franklin County and is a common location for DWI stops. Traffic stops by state troopers on I-30 are processed through Franklin County courts.

DWI Law in Franklin County, Texas

Franklin County prosecutes DWI under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. Every DWI charge requires proof that the person operated a vehicle on a public road while intoxicated. Intoxication is defined as a BAC of 0.08 or above or the loss of normal use of mental or physical faculties. That definition applies equally to alcohol and controlled substances.

Third DWI convictions become third-degree felonies under Section 49.09. The penalty range is 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. A fourth or higher offense stays in that felony range. Section 49.045 makes DWI with a child under 15 a state jail felony from the first offense. That charge goes straight to the district court regardless of prior record.

Underage DWI in Franklin County is covered by Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable amount of alcohol is enough to charge a driver under 21 with this offense. It is separate from adult DWI and is processed in the justice or county court system depending on circumstances.

The Texas Office of Court Administration provides statewide oversight of all Texas courts, including the 8th Judicial District Court that serves Franklin County.

License Suspension Following DWI Arrest in Franklin County

A DWI arrest in Franklin County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process with Texas DPS. The officer collects the physical license at the scene and issues a 40-day temporary driving permit. The driver has just 15 days from arrest to request an ALR hearing or lose the right to contest the suspension.

Refusing the chemical test results in a 180-day suspension on the first offense. Failing at 0.08 or above brings a 90-day suspension. Any prior ALR actions within 10 years double those periods. The ALR process is governed by Transportation Code Chapter 524. The ALR suspension runs on its own timeline completely separate from the criminal case. The outcome of the DWI trial has no bearing on the suspension process.

When the suspension period ends, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS before the license is restored. Driving records showing suspension history can be ordered from dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 based on the type of record.

Texas DPS Records for Franklin County

State-level DWI records covering Franklin County cases can be accessed through the Texas DPS public information portal.

DPS records complement local court records and are especially useful for verifying prior out-of-county convictions or current license suspension status after a DWI arrest.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is in northeast Texas along I-30. Neighboring counties process their own DWI cases through separate courts.