Harris County DUI and DWI Records

Harris County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Houston. With a population of over 4.7 million, Harris County processes more DWI cases than any other county in Texas. You can search these records online or visit the courthouse to find case details, charges, court outcomes, and more.

Harris County District Clerk

The Harris County District Clerk handles all felony DWI records in the county. This includes third or higher DWI offenses, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15 years old. With 22 Criminal District Courts, Harris County has one of the largest felony criminal dockets in the United States. The main office is at 201 Caroline Street in downtown Houston.

You can search Harris County DWI records at hcdistrictclerk.com. The online portal lets you search by defendant name, case number, or attorney. Results show the charge, filing date, court assignment, bond information, and all docket entries. Most documents can be purchased online for $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 extra. E-filing has been mandatory for attorneys since 2014. Historical records date back to 1836.

Harris County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Harris County Clerk at 1201 Franklin Street maintains all misdemeanor DWI records for the county's 16 County Criminal Courts at Law. First and second DWI offenses are Class B and Class A misdemeanors under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 and 49.09. First offense carries 72 hours to 180 days in jail. Second offense has a 30-day minimum. Records show BAC levels, arrest details, pleas, and sentences.

The Harris County Clerk office is reachable at (713) 274-8600. The same online portal as the District Clerk can be used to search misdemeanor cases. Filter the search by "County Criminal Court" to find first and second offense DWI cases. Records for all DWI convictions are kept permanently.

The Harris County Clerk also makes the official government records searchable online.

The Harris County Clerk portal allows searches of misdemeanor criminal cases including DWI first and second offenses from all 16 County Courts at Law.

Harris County Sheriff's Office Records

The Harris County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in unincorporated parts of Harris County and contract cities. The Sheriff's office is at 1200 Baker Street in Houston. Records Division can be reached at (713) 221-6125. Online public information requests can be submitted to hcsowebrequest@harriscountyso.org or by mail.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office maintains DWI arrest reports, incident reports, and jail booking information. Booking records including charges and bond amounts are searchable online through the Sheriff's website.

Sheriff's DWI reports include the deputy's incident narrative, observations of impairment, field sobriety test results, and the details of the arrest. Report copies are $5.00. Certified copies add $5.00. Background checks cost $10.00. Processing typically takes 10 business days. Video evidence such as body cam or dash cam footage can be requested separately and may carry additional fees.

Harris County District Attorney - DWI Bureau

The Harris County District Attorney's Office at 1201 Franklin Street has a dedicated DWI Bureau that prosecutes all DWI cases in the county. Their office handles case intake, charges, and prosecution for all levels of DWI from misdemeanor to felony. Case status can be checked by calling (713) 274-5800 with a case number or defendant name and date of birth. The DA's office also runs a Pre-Trial Diversion program for first-time DWI offenders who meet strict eligibility requirements.

The Harris County DA's DWI Bureau includes a Victim Services unit at (713) 274-5820 that assists people injured in DWI crashes. They can help with court notification, victim impact statements, and restitution claims.

Note: Pre-Trial Diversion requires no prior criminal history, a BAC under 0.15, and no accident with injury. The 12-month program includes DWI education, community service, monthly reporting, and drug and alcohol testing.

Texas DWI Law and Harris County Cases

Harris County prosecutes DWI under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The standard first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. A BAC of 0.15 or above raises it to Class A under the same section. A third DWI is a third-degree felony. Driving with a child under 15 in the car while intoxicated under Section 49.045 is a state jail felony.

Harris County DWI records from the District Clerk show case-specific details including the exact charge, BAC level, bond conditions, hearing history, and final disposition. Bond records for DWI cases frequently include ignition interlock requirements, especially for second and higher offenses. Deferred adjudication, while rare in DWI cases, does appear occasionally in first-offense records.

For crash-related DWI cases, Texas Department of Transportation maintains the peace officer crash report (CR-3). Involved parties can purchase these for $6 (regular) or $8 (certified). TxDOT holds crash records for 10 years. All requests must now go through the CRIS Request online system as TxDOT no longer accepts subpoena requests by mail as of January 2025.

License Suspension After DWI Arrest

The Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation program starts immediately after a DWI arrest anywhere in Harris County. The officer takes the physical license and gives a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension becomes final. The hearing is separate from the criminal court case.

For adults on a first offense, refusing a chemical test leads to a 180-day suspension. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means a 90-day suspension. If there was a prior ALR suspension within 10 years, those periods double. Even if the criminal case is dismissed, the ALR suspension stands unless won separately. A $125 reinstatement fee is required before DPS will issue a new license after the suspension. The full ALR process is governed by Transportation Code Chapter 524.

Driving records can be ordered from dps.texas.gov. Fees range from $4 to $22 depending on the type. The Type 3A certified complete history is commonly needed for legal purposes and costs $10 online. Records are not available at driver license offices or by phone.

Cities in Harris County

Harris County includes Houston and several other large cities. DWI cases from all cities go through the Harris County court system in Houston.

Other communities in Harris County include Humble, Katy, Spring, Cypress, Pearland, and many more. All DWI cases go through the Harris County court system.

Nearby Counties

Harris County is surrounded by several other counties in the Greater Houston area. DWI cases that occur in those counties are handled by their respective courts.