Hemphill County DWI Records

Hemphill County DUI and DWI records are on file at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Canadian, Texas. These public records cover DWI arrests, criminal case filings, and court outcomes for all DWI charges in this Texas Panhandle county and can be accessed at the county courthouse.

Hemphill County District Clerk

The 100th District Court, shared with Roberts County, handles felony DWI cases for Hemphill County. Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.09, a third or subsequent DWI is a third-degree felony. Intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter are also handled by the District Court. The Hemphill County District Clerk is at 400 Main Street in Canadian.

Phone (806) 323-6212. Online record access is very limited for Hemphill County. Most requests are handled in person or by mail. Documents cost $1.00 per page; certified copies add $5.00. All felony DWI conviction records are retained permanently.

Hemphill County Clerk - Misdemeanor Cases

Misdemeanor DWI cases in Hemphill County are heard in the County Court at Law. The County Clerk at 400 Main Street, phone (806) 323-6213, maintains these records. First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 49.04. Second offense is Class A with a mandatory 30-day minimum. Records show charge, BAC data, plea, and sentence. All convictions are permanent records.

Services in Hemphill County are primarily in-person. You can request copies at the courthouse or by mail. Having the defendant's name and approximate year of the case helps staff locate the record quickly. Standard copy fees apply.

Texas DWI Law in Hemphill County

Texas DWI law under Penal Code Chapter 49 applies uniformly across all 254 counties. In Hemphill County, law enforcement is primarily the county sheriff and Texas DPS troopers. The county borders Oklahoma and sits near the Canadian River, with Texas Highway 83 running through it. DWI enforcement on state highways is primarily handled by DPS troopers.

A DWI case file in Hemphill County shows the same information as any other Texas county: the arresting agency, charge and degree, any chemical test results with BAC level, the plea, and the final outcome. Bond conditions for DWI cases often include no-alcohol provisions and sometimes ignition interlock requirements. Probation terms include DWI education, community service, and victim impact panel attendance.

Under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 14.01, peace officers may arrest for DWI without a warrant when the offense occurs in their presence. This is the most common basis for DWI arrests during traffic stops. The arrest report must be filed with the court along with the charging instrument to initiate prosecution.

Note: In small rural counties like Hemphill, blood draw warrants may take longer to execute due to distance from medical facilities. This can affect the timing of chemical test results and chain of custody documentation in the court file.

License Suspension and Statewide Records

The Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation process applies in Hemphill County just as anywhere in Texas. After a DWI arrest, the driver has 15 days to request a hearing. The 40-day temporary permit begins at the time of arrest. Failing to request a hearing means the suspension proceeds automatically.

Suspension periods are 90 days for a failed test and 180 days for refusal on a first offense. These can double with prior suspensions within 10 years. A $125 reinstatement fee is required after the suspension. See Transportation Code Chapter 524 for full ALR procedures.

Driving records are available from Texas DPS online or by mail. The Type 3 complete history costs $10 online. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division also handles statewide criminal history records including DWI convictions from Hemphill County courts. You can request your personal criminal history directly from DPS.

Nearby Counties

Hemphill County is in the eastern Texas Panhandle near Oklahoma. These counties border Hemphill and maintain their own DWI records.