Galveston County DWI Records
Galveston County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Galveston. With five district courts and a large court docket that serves coastal communities and commuter suburbs, Galveston County processes a significant number of DWI cases each year. Both clerk offices are at 600 59th Street in Galveston. Online court records access is available for many case types through the county's portal.
Galveston County Overview
Galveston County District Clerk
The Galveston County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records for the county's five district courts. Felony DWI charges include third and subsequent DWI convictions, DWI with a child under 15, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. With five courts hearing felony criminal cases, the docket handles a significant volume of serious DWI matters from communities across the county.
The District Clerk's office is at 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551. Phone is (409) 770-5000. You can search case records online at galvestoncountytx.gov/court-records. The portal allows name and case number searches. Document copies are $1.00 per page and $5.00 for certified versions. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys. Records are retained permanently for felony cases.
| Office | Galveston County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551 |
| Phone | (409) 770-5000 |
| Online Records | galvestoncountytx.gov/court-records |
| Copy Fee | $1.00 per page; $5.00 certified |
Galveston County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records
The Galveston County Clerk at 600 59th Street maintains all misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offense cases heard in the county courts at law. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a first DWI offense is a Class B misdemeanor. A second is Class A with a mandatory 30-day jail minimum. The County Clerk's phone is (409) 763-5321. Records are available in person and through the online court portal.
Misdemeanor DWI case records from Galveston County include bond conditions, BAC information, court hearing dates, plea type, and final sentencing. When bond conditions include an ignition interlock device requirement, that is documented in the county court records. The County Clerk also processes paperwork for cases resolved through plea agreements in the county courts at law.
The Texas Office of Court Administration maintains statewide court data including Galveston County case statistics and judicial information.
| Office | Galveston County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 59th Street, Galveston, TX 77551 |
| Phone | (409) 763-5321 |
| Website | galvestoncountytx.gov/county-clerk |
City Police Records in Galveston County
Galveston County includes multiple cities with their own police departments. DWI arrests by city officers are processed through the county court system, but the initial arrest report comes from the relevant city department.
The Galveston Police Department at 601 54th Street handles DWI arrests within the city of Galveston. Records can be requested by calling (409) 765-3761. Reports typically cost $5.00 per copy. The records division handles open records requests for incident and accident reports. DWI reports from Galveston city arrests will document the officer's observations, any field sobriety tests performed, and chemical test results.
The League City Police Department at 555 W. Walker Street, League City, TX 77573 handles records for arrests in League City. Their records line is (281) 332-2566. Reports cost $5.00 and can be requested online. League City is one of the larger cities in Galveston County and generates a significant share of county DWI arrests.
Note: Baytown is located in Harris County, not Galveston County. DWI arrests in Baytown go through Harris County courts, not Galveston County courts.
Texas DWI Law in Galveston County
Galveston County prosecutes all DWI cases under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A DWI conviction requires proof that the person operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxication is defined as a BAC of 0.08 or above or the loss of normal mental or physical faculties. The standard applies to alcohol and drugs equally.
Third DWI conviction is a third-degree felony under Section 49.09. DWI with a child 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 district court felonies. In a coastal county with a tourist economy, the DA's office in Galveston handles a wide range of DWI circumstances including boating under the influence cases, though those go through federal or specialized courts depending on circumstances.
Crash reports from DWI accidents are available through TxDOT's CRIS system. These peace officer crash reports cost $6 standard or $8 certified. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission at tabc.texas.gov handles alcohol licensing for the county's many bars and restaurants, which can intersect with DWI cases.
License Suspension After DWI in Galveston County
A DWI arrest anywhere in Galveston County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process with Texas DPS. The officer takes the physical license at arrest and issues a 40-day temporary permit. The driver has 15 days from the arrest date to request a hearing. Miss that window and the suspension becomes automatic once the temporary permit expires.
Refusing the chemical test results in a 180-day suspension on the first offense. Failing the test at 0.08 or above brings 90 days. Prior ALR actions within 10 years double both those periods. The governing statute is Transportation Code Chapter 524. The ALR suspension process is separate from the criminal DWI case and must be challenged on its own timeline regardless of what happens in court.
A $125 reinstatement fee to DPS is required after the suspension ends before driving privileges are restored. Driving records showing suspension history can be ordered from dps.texas.gov. Certified complete histories cost $10 online and are commonly needed for legal and insurance purposes.
Cities in Galveston County
Galveston County includes several large cities along the Gulf Coast and in the Clear Lake area. DWI cases from all of them are processed through the Galveston County courts.
Other communities in Galveston County include Galveston city, Texas City, La Marque, Friendswood, and Dickinson. All DWI cases go through the Galveston County court system.
Nearby Counties
Galveston County is on the Gulf Coast southeast of Houston. DWI cases in neighboring counties are handled by their own courts.