Hale County DUI and DWI Records

Hale County DUI and DWI records are kept at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Plainview, Texas. These records cover DWI arrests, court filings, and case outcomes and are available for public access at the courthouse or through state-level online systems.

Hale County District Clerk

The 64th District Court in Hale County handles all felony DWI cases. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.09, a third or subsequent DWI is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Intoxication assault is also a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. All these cases go through the District Clerk's office at 500 Broadway in Plainview.

The District Clerk handles record searches and document requests. You can look up cases by defendant name or cause number. Files show the charge, degree of offense, bond information, hearing dates, and the outcome. Documents are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 extra. Online search access is limited, but in-person requests are available during courthouse hours.

Hale County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The County Clerk's office at 500 Broadway handles misdemeanor DWI cases tried in the County Court. First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 49.04. Second offense DWI is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 49.09 with a minimum 30-day jail term. The County Court at Law handles both. Records at this office include the charge information, BAC if tested, plea, and sentence.

You can visit the County Clerk's office in person to request copies of misdemeanor DWI case records. Standard copy fees apply. All DWI conviction records are maintained permanently. If you are looking up a case from several years ago, the office can search historical files as well.

Plainview Police Department Records

DWI arrests within Plainview city limits are handled by the Plainview Police Department. The department is at 909 W. 7th Street and can be reached at (806) 293-1181. Police reports from DWI incidents include the officer's observations, field sobriety test notes, breath or blood test results, and arrest details. Reports cost $5.00 each and can be requested in person or by mail.

The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request government records. You can submit a written request to the Plainview PD for any open records including DWI incident reports. The agency must respond within 10 business days. Requestors cannot ask for records by phone under DPS rules, but written or in-person requests are fine.

DWI arrests in unincorporated Hale County are handled by the Hale County Sheriff's Department. Those records must be requested from the Sheriff's office directly.

Texas DWI Law and What Records Contain

Texas defines intoxication in two ways under Penal Code Section 49.01. The first is having a BAC of 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath. The second is losing the normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol, drugs, or another substance. Either definition supports a DWI charge in Hale County courts.

Records from Hale County DWI cases will show which test method was used and the result. Breath tests are done on the Intoxilyzer 9000. Blood tests are sent to an accredited crime laboratory. The chain of custody for blood samples must meet standards set by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 38 and the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Any break in that chain can affect the admissibility of results in court.

Field sobriety testing is standardized. Officers in Texas must be trained and certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to administer the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg Stand tests. Records showing the results of these tests are included in the DWI case file. Drug Recognition Experts may also be involved in cases where drug impairment is suspected.

Note: Additional state surcharges at sentencing can add $3,000 to $6,000 on top of the base fine for DWI convictions in Texas per TxDOT guidelines.

License Suspension and Driving Records

After a DWI arrest, the arresting officer sends a report to the Texas DPS which triggers the Administrative License Revocation process. The driver has 15 days to contest the suspension by requesting a hearing. If no hearing is requested, the license is suspended automatically after the 40-day temporary permit runs out.

For drivers who fail a breath or blood test at 0.08 or above, the suspension is 90 days on a first offense. Refusing to take the test results in 180 days. Prior suspensions within 10 years can extend these periods significantly. After the suspension is over, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid before DPS will issue a new license.

You can order your driving record directly from Texas DPS online, by mail, or in person. The Type 2 record shows the last three years. The Type 3 shows the complete history. Online costs range from $4 to $22. Mail orders take up to three weeks. Details on ALR procedures are at Transportation Code Chapter 524.

State Resources for DWI Records

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division keeps all criminal history data statewide. DWI records from Hale County courts are included. You can request your personal criminal history from DPS. Third parties must meet requirements under the Texas Government Code Section 411.083 and federal law.

The Texas Judicial Branch at txcourts.gov provides information on court operations and access to the re:SearchTX statewide court records system. Some county courts participate in this shared database. If Hale County is part of the network, you may be able to search from that portal as well.

Nearby Counties

Hale County is in the South Plains of Texas. Neighboring counties each have their own DWI court records.