Jim Wells County DWI Records

Jim Wells County DUI and DWI records are on file at the county courthouse in Alice. The county clerk handles misdemeanor DWI case files while the district clerk maintains felony DWI records under the 79th Judicial District Court. All records are accessible to the public during regular business hours. You can request them in person at the courthouse or by written mail request.

Jim Wells County Clerk and District Clerk

The Jim Wells County Clerk and District Clerk offices are located at the courthouse in Alice. The county clerk handles misdemeanor DWI records, which includes first and second DWI convictions. These are Class B and Class A misdemeanors. The district clerk handles felony DWI offenses including DWI third or more, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter under the 79th Judicial District.

Jim Wells County sits in South Texas and the city of Alice is the county's main urban center. The courthouse is the go-to location for DWI records access. Online records search is limited here, so in-person or mail requests are the primary options. E-filing is available through eFileTexas.gov for attorneys on applicable cases.

Searching DWI Case Records

To search Jim Wells County DWI records, go to the courthouse in Alice. Bring the defendant's name and approximate dates. Staff can search the case index by name or cause number and pull files for you. Copy fees apply at $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $5.00 per document.

Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Jim Wells County Clerk or District Clerk at 200 N. Almond Street, Alice, TX 78332. Specify whether you need misdemeanor or felony records, include the defendant's name, the approximate filing dates, and payment by money order or check.

For a wider search across Texas courts, the Texas Judicial Branch portal provides some access to court data. Crash reports from DWI accidents go through the TxDOT portal at $6 for standard and $8 for certified copies. Driving history records are ordered through Texas DPS.

DWI Laws in Jim Wells County

Texas DWI law under Penal Code Chapter 49 applies throughout Jim Wells County. A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. The court must sentence the person to a minimum of 72 hours in jail. The maximum is 180 days with a $2,000 fine. Open container at the time of arrest raises the minimum jail time to six days.

A BAC of 0.15 or higher upgrades the charge to Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Second DWI convictions are also Class A with a 30-day mandatory minimum. These cases stay in county court. Third convictions and above move to the 79th District Court as third-degree felonies with two to ten years and up to $10,000 in fines.

Driving while intoxicated with a passenger under 15 is a state jail felony regardless of prior convictions. This carries 180 days to two years in state jail. Intoxication assault is a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. These are all serious cases that can carry multi-year prison sentences.

Texas adds state surcharge fines on top of court sentences. A first offense carries a $3,000 surcharge. High BAC cases carry $4,500. Drug-related DWI cases carry $6,000. The TxDOT impaired driving page explains all costs and penalties in plain language.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

The Administrative License Revocation process starts at the time of arrest. The Texas DPS can suspend a Jim Wells County driver's license for failing or refusing a breath or blood test. This process runs parallel to but separate from the criminal case.

The arresting officer takes the physical license and issues a 40-day temporary permit. The driver has only 15 days to request an ALR hearing to fight the suspension. Without a timely request, the suspension becomes automatic on day 40. Hearings follow the procedures of Transportation Code Chapter 524.

Failing a chemical test brings a 90-day suspension on a first offense. Refusing brings a 180-day suspension. Repeat offenses within the past ten years lead to longer periods. After the suspension, you pay a $125 reinstatement fee to DPS to get driving privileges back. You can order your driving record online to confirm your current status.

State and Local Resources

The Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office and Alice Police Department maintain arrest records for DWI cases within their jurisdictions. Both accept written public information requests. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains the statewide criminal history repository and can provide conviction records.

For DUI cases involving minors, refer to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Drivers under 21 can be charged with DUI for any detectable alcohol, which is a stricter standard than the regular 0.08 BAC rule. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission oversees these zero tolerance rules.

For state-level public records requests, use the DPS Public Information portal. The Texas Public Information Act requires agencies to respond within ten business days. Requests to Jim Wells County offices should be in writing and directed to the relevant clerk or law enforcement agency.

Nearby Counties

Jim Wells County is in South Texas. Bordering counties each maintain their own DWI court records.