Hansford County DUI and DWI Records

Hansford County DUI and DWI records are maintained at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Spearman, Texas. These public records cover DWI arrests, criminal filings, and case outcomes for this Texas Panhandle county and can be accessed at the courthouse.

Hansford County District Clerk

Hansford County is served by the 100th District Court, a shared court that covers multiple Panhandle counties. Felony DWI cases go to this court, including third and higher DWI offenses, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.09, a third DWI conviction is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison.

The District Clerk's office is at 15 NW Court Street in Spearman and can be reached at (806) 659-4110. Online search access is very limited for this county. Most records requests are handled in person or by mail. Documents cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies add $5.00. E-filing is available for attorneys through the state e-filing system.

Hansford County Clerk - Misdemeanor Records

Misdemeanor DWI cases in Hansford County go through the County Court at Law. The County Clerk maintains records for first and second DWI offenses. A first DWI under Penal Code Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. A second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum jail requirement.

Records at the County Clerk's office show the charge, the BAC level if tested, the plea, and the sentence or probation terms. All DWI conviction records are permanent. You can request copies in person at the Hansford County Courthouse in Spearman. The County Clerk can be reached at (806) 659-4112.

Texas DWI Law in Hansford County

All Texas DWI law applies equally in Hansford County. Penal Code Chapter 49 covers all the main DWI offenses. Section 49.04 defines the standard first offense. Sections 49.045 through 49.09 cover enhanced charges including child passengers, high BAC, open container, prior convictions, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter.

In rural Panhandle counties like Hansford, law enforcement is primarily the county sheriff and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. DPS troopers patrol state highways and often handle DWI arrests on those roads. Sheriff's deputies handle county roads and unincorporated areas. The Hansford County Sheriff's Department maintains its own arrest records. You can contact them directly to request a copy of an arrest report.

Blood draws in DWI cases follow strict rules under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 18.067. Officers must usually get a warrant for a non-consensual blood draw unless specific circumstances like a serious accident apply. Blood samples are sent to an accredited lab and the results are part of the court case file.

For drivers under 21, Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041 sets a zero tolerance rule. Any detectable alcohol is a DUI by minor. In counties under 75,000 population like Hansford, courts can allow online alcohol awareness programs where in-person options are not available.

Administrative License Revocation

After a DWI arrest in Hansford County, the same statewide process applies. The Texas DPS will suspend the driver's license unless the driver requests a hearing within 15 days. The arresting officer takes the physical license and gives a 40-day temporary permit. That permit expires whether a hearing is pending or not.

First-offense suspension is 90 days for a failed test or 180 days for a refusal. If there was a prior suspension in the last 10 years, these periods double. The civil suspension process runs on its own timeline and is not affected by what happens in criminal court. To restore the license after the suspension, DPS requires a $125 reinstatement fee. The full ALR rules are found in Transportation Code Chapter 524.

You can check your license status or order your driving record from Texas DPS online. The Type 3 complete history shows all violations and suspensions on record. Online fees range from $4 to $22 depending on the record type.

Statewide Record Resources

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division handles all statewide criminal history data. DWI convictions from Hansford County courts are submitted to this database. You can request your personal criminal history from DPS using Form CR-63. Submit requests through the DPS Public Information Center.

The Texas Judicial Branch portal at txcourts.gov offers information on court structure and some statewide case access tools. The re:SearchTX system allows name-based searches across participating courts. Not all small counties are fully integrated, so Hansford County records may need to be accessed directly.

Nearby Counties

Hansford County is in the far northern Texas Panhandle. Surrounding counties each have their own court systems and DWI records.