Find DUI and DWI Records in Grimes County

Grimes County DUI and DWI records are filed with the District Clerk and County Clerk in Anderson, Texas. These records are public and can be accessed at the courthouse or through state-level online tools to find case details, charges, and dispositions for DWI arrests in the county.

Grimes County District Clerk

Felony DWI cases in Grimes County go through the District Court. This includes third or higher DWI offenses, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.09, a third DWI is a third-degree felony. The District Clerk keeps all case files and records for these cases. The office is at the Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson.

District Court records in Grimes County can be searched by name or case number. The case file will show the charge, the degree of offense, bond information, court settings, and the final outcome. Documents are available for a copy fee of $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $5.00 certification charge. The District Clerk office can assist with in-person searches as well.

Grimes County Clerk - Misdemeanor Cases

First and second DWI offenses are misdemeanors handled by the County Court. The County Clerk's office keeps the records for these cases. A first offense DWI under Penal Code Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. It carries up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, with a mandatory minimum of 72 hours. A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum of 30 days. Grimes County's County Court at Law handles these cases.

County Court records show the complaint or information filed, the arresting agency, BAC results if a chemical test was done, the plea, and the final sentence or probation terms. All DWI conviction records are kept permanently. You can request copies at the courthouse or by mail.

DWI Laws That Apply in Grimes County

Texas DWI law applies the same way in every county. The key statute is Penal Code Chapter 49. You are intoxicated if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, or if alcohol or drugs have affected your normal mental or physical abilities. Both standards can lead to a DWI charge even below the 0.08 BAC level.

If a driver had a BAC of 0.15 or more, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor even for a first offense. That means up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. An open container in the car at the time of the stop adds at least six days to the minimum jail time. Driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years old is a state jail felony under Section 49.045, regardless of prior record.

For drivers under 21, the zero tolerance law applies. Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any detectable amount of alcohol while driving is a DUI by minor offense. This is a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense with fines, community service, and a license suspension. Records for these cases are held at the County Clerk's office.

Note: Additional state fines of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 may be assessed on top of criminal fines at sentencing per TxDOT impaired driving guidelines.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

The Texas Department of Public Safety runs the Administrative License Revocation program. When an officer makes a DWI arrest, they take the physical driver's license and give the driver a Notice of Suspension. This notice also serves as a 40-day temporary driving permit. The driver has 15 days from the arrest date to request a hearing or the suspension becomes final.

Suspension periods for a first offense: refusing a chemical test leads to 180 days off the road. Failing the test at 0.08 or higher means 90 days. These are civil penalties, separate from any criminal case outcome. Even if the DWI charge is dismissed in court, the ALR suspension can remain. A $125 fee is required to get the license reinstated after the suspension period ends.

For drivers under 21, any detectable alcohol means the license is suspended. The suspension is 60 days for a first offense failed test and 6 months for a first refusal. The rules get stricter with each prior suspension. More details are in Transportation Code Chapter 524.

Crash Reports and Driving Records

The Texas Department of Transportation is the official custodian of crash records under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.062. Officers must submit written crash reports within 10 days for crashes involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Crash reports cost $6 for a regular copy and $8 for a certified copy. They are not available for general public online viewing, but persons involved in the crash may purchase them.

Driving records from Texas DPS show violations and crashes. A Type 2 record covers the past three years. A Type 3 is the complete history. You need your driver's license number, date of birth, and DPS audit number to order online. Records are not available at driver license offices or by phone. Processing by mail takes up to three weeks.

The Crime Records Division at DPS maintains the statewide criminal history database. DWI conviction records are included in that system. You can request your own criminal history for personal review. Third-party requests must meet requirements under the Texas Government Code and the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act.

Nearby Counties

Grimes County is surrounded by several Central and Southeast Texas counties. Each maintains its own DWI records at the county courthouse.