Gillespie County DWI Records

Gillespie County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Fredericksburg, Texas. The county is served by the 216th Judicial District. DWI case filings, arrest records, and court outcomes can be searched at the courthouse in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg's active wine country and tourism scene make DWI enforcement a regular part of local law enforcement activity in this Hill Country county.

Gillespie County District Clerk

The Gillespie County District Clerk is located at 101 W. Main Street, Suite 203, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. The phone number is (830) 997-6515. The District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records for Gillespie County, including third offense and higher DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. These cases go through the 216th District Court. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Gillespie County sees a higher-than-average number of alcohol-related cases compared to similar-sized Texas counties, in part due to the many wineries, tasting rooms, and tourist venues along Highway 290. The District Clerk tracks all criminal case filings, grand jury indictments, bond conditions, and final dispositions. E-filing is available for attorneys through the eFileTexas.gov system. Copy fees are $1.00 per page and $5.00 for certification.

To search records, visit the courthouse during business hours. You can search by defendant name or case number. Mail requests are accepted with payment. Include the defendant's name, approximate case year, and a check or money order for the applicable fees. The clerk will confirm the total before sending copies.

County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Gillespie County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI records. The office is at 101 W. Main Street, Room 104, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Phone: (830) 997-6515 ext. 1. Misdemeanor DWI cases, including first and second offenses, are filed under Texas Penal Code Sections 49.04 and 49.09 and handled in the County Court at Law. Records include all filings, pleas, bonds, sentences, and probation conditions.

First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and fines up to $2,000. An open container at the time of the offense raises the minimum to six days. If the BAC was 0.15 or higher, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year and a $4,000 fine. Second offense is Class A with a mandatory 30-day minimum. Texas adds state surcharges of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 on top of court fines. These apply in Gillespie County just as they do across the state.

Note: Fredericksburg sees significant traffic on weekends and during wine season. DWI enforcement is active year-round, and the county clerk handles a regular volume of misdemeanor DWI case filings.

Sheriff Records and Local Enforcement

The Gillespie County Sheriff's Office covers the unincorporated areas of the county. The office is in Fredericksburg at (830) 997-7585. DWI arrest reports from the sheriff include the deputy's narrative, stop documentation, field sobriety test results, chemical test data, and booking information. You can request these records in writing during business hours.

The Fredericksburg Police Department handles DWI arrests within city limits. Contact the department at 1000 S. Adams Street, (830) 997-7585, or through their records division. DWI arrests in Fredericksburg follow the same documentation and reporting process as the sheriff's office. All local DWI arrests and convictions are reported to the Texas DPS Crime Records Division for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database.

Crash reports involving DWI incidents can be obtained from TxDOT through the CRIS system for $6.00 standard or $8.00 certified. TxDOT retains crash records for 10 years. All subpoena requests must go through the CRIS online system as of January 2025.

TABC and Wine Country DWI Context

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission plays an active role in Gillespie County given the concentration of licensed wineries and tasting rooms in the area. TABC enforces laws governing sales to minors, serving visibly intoxicated customers, and compliance with licensed premises rules. When a DWI crash happens and a licensed business may have over-served the driver, TABC records and licensing files can become part of a civil dram shop investigation.

TABC also reviews and approves seller-server training programs that licensed businesses can use to train staff on responsible service. This training documentation can be relevant in legal proceedings. TABC operates through regional offices, and the South Texas region covers Gillespie County. You can contact TABC online or by calling (512) 206-3333 for the main Austin office.

Texas DWI law under Penal Code Chapter 49 applies to all Gillespie County cases. Third offense is a third degree felony. DWI with a child is a state jail felony. Intoxication assault is a third degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is second degree. The TxDOT impaired driving page summarizes the full Texas penalty structure.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

A DWI arrest in Gillespie County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process with Texas DPS. You have 15 days from the arrest to request an ALR hearing. The officer takes your license and issues a 40-day temporary driving permit. If you skip the hearing request, the suspension becomes automatic on day 40.

Refusing the chemical test means 180 days for first offense or two years with a prior refusal in the last 10 years. A failed test at 0.08 or above means 90 days first offense, one year with a prior. Reinstatement requires a $125 fee. The ALR rules are in Transportation Code Chapter 524. Winning the criminal case does not end the ALR suspension. The two processes are completely separate.

Driving records can be ordered from dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22. The Texas Judicial Branch website has information on the 216th Judicial District and the Texas court system overall.

Texas state agency portals including DPS, TxDOT, and TABC are all relevant to Gillespie County DWI records and enforcement.

Nearby Counties

These Hill Country counties are near Gillespie County in Texas.