Gaines County DUI and DWI Records
Gaines County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Seminole. The county uses the 106th Judicial District for felony DWI cases and the County Court at Law for misdemeanor charges. The Gaines County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in unincorporated areas, while local police departments cover city limits. Records from all of these sources feed into the county court system in Seminole.
Gaines County Overview
Gaines County District Clerk
The Gaines County District Clerk handles all felony DWI records filed in the 106th Judicial District Court in Seminole. Felony DWI charges include a third or subsequent DWI conviction, DWI with a child under 15 in the vehicle, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. Records at the district level include indictment documents, plea agreements, court orders, sentences, and probation terms when applicable.
The District Clerk's office is in the Gaines County Courthouse in Seminole, TX 79360. Document copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov. Online access for public case search is very limited. In-person visits or written mail requests are the standard way to obtain records. Call ahead to confirm hours and what identifying information you'll need before visiting.
| Office | Gaines County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Gaines County Courthouse, Seminole, TX 79360 |
| Court | 106th Judicial District Court |
| Felony DWI | DWI 3rd+, Intoxication Assault, Intoxication Manslaughter |
| Copy Fee | $1.00 per page; $5.00 for certification |
Gaines County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records
The Gaines County Clerk maintains misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offense cases handled by the County Court at Law. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor carrying a 72-hour to 180-day jail range. A second offense is Class A with a 30-day mandatory minimum. A first offense with a BAC of 0.15 or higher is automatically a Class A charge.
The County Clerk's office is in the same courthouse building in Seminole. Records show the charge, bond conditions, plea, hearing history, and final outcome. Standard copy fees apply. Misdemeanor DWI convictions are permanent public records. In-person service is the standard access method. You can also send a written request by mail if you can't visit in person.
For statewide DWI records that include Gaines County cases, Texas DPS Crime Records provides a central database covering all Texas county courts.
| Office | Gaines County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Gaines County Courthouse, Seminole, TX 79360 |
| Misdemeanor DWI | First and second offense DWI records |
| Copy Fee | Standard rates, $1.00 per page |
Gaines County Sheriff and Gainesville Police Records
The Gaines County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in unincorporated parts of the county. Sheriff's records include arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information from the county jail. These records are separate from the court case records kept by the clerk offices.
The Gainesville Police Department at 201 S. Weaver Street, Gainesville, TX 76240 handles records for arrests within city limits. Note that Gainesville is the seat of Cooke County, not Gaines County. If a Gaines County search returns Gainesville information, verify you have the correct county. The Gaines County town is Seminole, not Gainesville.
Law enforcement arrest records and booking information are the starting point for a DWI case before it reaches the court system. These records can be requested separately from the clerk offices.
For DWI arrest reports from state troopers who made stops in Gaines County, public information requests can be submitted through the Texas DPS public information portal.
Texas DWI Laws in Gaines County
Gaines County DWI prosecutions follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The DWI statute requires proof that the defendant operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxication is defined as having a BAC of 0.08 or above or losing normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol, drugs, or both.
Third DWI conviction is a third-degree felony under Section 49.09, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison. DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony under Section 49.045. Intoxication assault under Section 49.07 and intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08 are both felonies handled by the 106th District Court.
Underage DWI in Gaines County is governed by Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol in a driver under 21 can result in this charge. It is a separate offense from adult DWI. Crash reports from DWI accidents are available through TxDOT's CRIS request system for $6 standard or $8 certified.
License Suspension After DWI in Gaines County
Every DWI arrest in Gaines County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process with Texas DPS. The arresting officer takes the physical license and gives a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request a hearing within 15 days or the suspension becomes automatic once the permit expires.
Refusing the chemical test brings a 180-day suspension on the first offense. Failing at 0.08 or higher brings a 90-day suspension. Prior ALR actions within 10 years double both those periods. The ALR rules are set out in Transportation Code Chapter 524. The ALR suspension is completely separate from the criminal DWI case. Winning in criminal court has no effect on the ALR suspension timeline.
After the suspension period ends, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS. Driving records can be ordered from dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 depending on the record type needed.
Nearby Counties
Gaines County is in West Texas near the New Mexico border. Surrounding counties process their own DWI cases through separate courts.