Jeff Davis County DUI and DWI Records

Jeff Davis County DUI records and DWI case files are kept at the courthouse in Fort Davis. This remote West Texas county is part of the 83rd Judicial District. Records requests for both misdemeanor and felony DWI cases must be made through the county clerk's office, as online access is very limited in this jurisdiction.

Jeff Davis County Clerk Office

The Jeff Davis County Clerk in Fort Davis handles all DWI-related court records for the county. This includes misdemeanor DWI case files and documents from the county court, as well as felony DWI records from the 83rd Judicial District Court. The 83rd District covers several Far West Texas counties including Brewster, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, and Terrell, in addition to Jeff Davis.

Because this is a very small rural county, staffing is limited. Call ahead before making a trip to the courthouse. Online records access does not currently exist for Jeff Davis County. In-person visits or mail requests are the only reliable options. Fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 additional for certified documents.

Searching DWI Records in Jeff Davis County

Searches in Jeff Davis County require a trip to the courthouse or a written mail request. Online portals for court records are not available here. If you know the defendant's name and approximate dates, bring that information to the clerk's office. Staff can pull court files and make copies for you at the standard $1.00 per page rate.

For mail requests, write to Jeff Davis County Clerk, 100 Court Avenue, Fort Davis, TX 79734. Include the name of the defendant, the approximate date of the case, whether you need plain or certified copies, and payment. Money orders are safest for mail requests. Expect several days for processing.

The Texas Judicial Branch website may have some statewide court data that includes Jeff Davis County. Crash reports from DWI accidents are available through TxDOT's crash record system for $6 per report. DPS driving records can be ordered at the DPS website.

DWI Laws and Penalties in Jeff Davis County

Texas DWI law applies in Jeff Davis County the same as everywhere in the state. Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more is illegal. So is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs even if the BAC is below that level. Officers can make a DWI arrest based on either standard.

First DWI convictions are Class B misdemeanors. The minimum jail time is three days, with up to 180 days and a $2,000 fine. Open container in the vehicle raises the minimum to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or more turns the charge into a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. These cases stay in the county court system.

Second DWI convictions are also Class A misdemeanors with a 30-day minimum. Third or subsequent DWI convictions are third-degree felonies under the 83rd District Court. Felony DWI can bring two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Jeff Davis County sends these cases to the district court, which convenes here on a rotating schedule.

Texas adds state surcharge fines on top of court-imposed fines. These run $3,000 to $6,000 depending on offense circumstances. For a full breakdown, see the TxDOT impaired driving summary.

License Suspension After a Jeff Davis DWI

The Administrative License Revocation process starts after any DWI arrest in Texas, including Jeff Davis County. The Texas DPS can suspend the driver's license for failing or refusing a chemical test. This action is civil and happens independent of the criminal case outcome.

At arrest, the officer confiscates the physical license and issues a notice of suspension that doubles as a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension takes effect automatically. Hearings are scheduled through the State Office of Administrative Hearings under Transportation Code Chapter 524.

For a first offense, failing a test brings a 90-day suspension. Refusing a test brings a 180-day suspension. Repeat offenses within ten years lead to longer suspensions. After any suspension period, the driver must pay a $125 reinstatement fee to DPS before driving again legally.

Note: The ALR process and the criminal DWI case are handled separately. A not-guilty verdict in the criminal case does not automatically restore the driver's license if the ALR suspension has already been imposed.

State Records and Legal Resources

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains statewide criminal history data. Jeff Davis County DWI convictions appear in this statewide database. You can request your own criminal history through DPS. Third-party requests require a legal basis under Texas Government Code and the federal DPPA.

For minors under 21, any detectable alcohol while driving is a DUI offense under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. These cases carry separate penalties including community service, alcohol awareness programs, and license suspension. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces these rules statewide.

Public records requests can be submitted to the Jeff Davis County Clerk in writing. For state-level requests, contact the DPS Public Information Office. The Texas Public Information Act requires government agencies to respond within 10 business days.

Law enforcement officers in Jeff Davis County must meet training standards under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701. This includes certification in field sobriety testing and breath test administration. Certification records are kept by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Nearby Counties

Jeff Davis County is surrounded by remote Far West Texas counties. DWI records in these areas are kept by their own clerks.