Irion County DUI and DWI Records

Irion County DUI records and DWI case files are kept by the county and district clerk in Mertzon. You can request records in person or by mail. This small West Texas county handles DWI cases through a shared district court system, and both misdemeanor and felony DWI records are open for public inspection under Texas law.

Irion County Clerk and District Clerk

The county clerk in Mertzon maintains all DWI and DUI records for Irion County. This includes misdemeanor DWI case files, court documents, and judgment records. The office handles both the county clerk and district clerk functions, which is common in smaller Texas counties. Staff can help you find case records and provide copies for a small fee.

Felony DWI cases in Irion County go to the 51st Judicial District Court. This district is shared with other surrounding counties. If you need records from a felony case such as a third DWI, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter, you request them through the same clerk office in Mertzon. Records go back many decades and are kept per state retention guidelines.

How to Find DWI Records in Irion County

Irion County does not have a full online case search system. Most searches must be done in person or by mail. If you know the name of the person involved or have a case number, the clerk can locate the file. Bring your ID when you visit the office in Mertzon.

To request records by mail, send a written request to the Irion County Clerk at 119 E. Twohig Street, Mertzon, TX 76941. Include the full name of the defendant, the approximate date of the case, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for copy fees. Standard copy fees run $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost an extra $5.00 per document.

You can also search the statewide Texas courts portal for some case information. The Office of Court Administration maintains court records data that may include Irion County filings. That system is a good starting point if you don't have local access.

For driving records tied to a DWI arrest, the Texas DPS driving record system is a separate tool. You can order your own record online or request another person's record by submitting Form DR-1 by mail to DPS in Austin.

Texas DWI Laws That Apply in Irion County

Texas DWI law applies the same way in Irion County as it does across the state. Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, a person commits DWI if they operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxicated means either having a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, or not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties due to alcohol or drugs.

A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. That means up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. There is a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail. If the driver had an open container of alcohol, the minimum goes up to six days. If the blood alcohol level was 0.15 or above, the charge bumps up to a Class A misdemeanor with penalties up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

A second DWI conviction is also a Class A misdemeanor. The law requires a minimum of 30 days in jail. A third DWI becomes a third-degree felony, which means two to ten years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. These felony cases are handled by the 51st District Court.

Beyond the criminal case, DWI arrests also trigger the Administrative License Revocation process. Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524, the Texas DPS can suspend your license for refusing a breath or blood test or for failing one. You have only 15 days from the date of arrest to request an ALR hearing to fight the suspension. If you miss that window, the suspension takes effect on the 40th day.

For drivers under 21, Texas has a zero tolerance law. Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any detectable amount of alcohol is enough for a DUI charge. This is separate from the standard DWI charge and carries its own penalties including license suspension.

License Suspension and ALR in Irion County

After a DWI arrest in Irion County, the arresting officer takes the driver's license and gives the driver a notice that acts as a temporary driving permit for 40 days. The driver must request a hearing within 15 days if they want to challenge the suspension.

ALR hearings are handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety through the State Office of Administrative Hearings. These proceedings are civil, not criminal, and use a lower standard of proof. Even if the criminal DWI case is dismissed, the ALR suspension can still stand.

Suspension periods vary. A first-time failure of a breath or blood test results in a 90-day suspension. Refusal to take a test brings a 180-day suspension. Second offenses within ten years result in longer suspensions of one to two years. After the suspension, you pay a $125 reinstatement fee to DPS before your license can be renewed or reissued.

Note: The ALR record and the criminal court record are kept separately. One is at DPS, and the other is at the courthouse. You may need to request both if you want a full picture of a case.

Irion County Sheriff and Arrest Records

The Irion County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. The sheriff's office makes DWI arrests in unincorporated areas of the county and maintains arrest records. You can request those records through the sheriff's office or through the clerk's office depending on whether the record is a law enforcement report or a court file.

Crash records from DWI accidents are handled by the Texas Department of Transportation. Under Texas law, law enforcement must submit crash reports to TxDOT within 10 days for accidents involving injury, death, or property damage of at least $1,000. You can order a crash report through the TxDOT crash report portal. Reports cost $6 for a regular copy and $8 for a certified copy.

For criminal history records, the Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains a statewide database. You can request your own criminal history through the DPS Crime Records Division. Third-party background checks require authorization and must follow state and federal privacy laws.

The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request records from government agencies. Requests to the sheriff's office or clerk should be made in writing. You can also submit requests to DPS Public Information for state-level records.

Nearby Counties

Irion County borders several other West Texas counties. DWI records in those areas are kept by their own clerk offices.