Access Kaufman County DUI Records

Kaufman County DUI and DWI records are maintained at the courthouse at 100 W. Mulberry Street in Kaufman. The district clerk and county clerk offices keep all felony and misdemeanor DWI case files. Kaufman County has four district courts for felony cases and two county courts at law for misdemeanor DWI. An online case search portal is available, and documents can be purchased digitally at $1.00 per page.

Kaufman County District Clerk and County Clerk

The Kaufman County District Clerk is at 100 W. Mulberry Street, phone (972) 932-0281. The district clerk manages felony DWI records including DWI third or more, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter across four district courts including the 86th and 422nd. An online search is available at kaufmancounty.net/district-clerk. You can search by defendant name, case number, attorney, or filing date. Documents are available online at $1.00 per page with immediate PDF download.

The Kaufman County Clerk, at (972) 932-0282, handles misdemeanor DWI records from two county courts at law. The online portal integrates with the district clerk system. First and second DWI cases, plus deferred adjudication records for first-time offenders, are maintained here. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.

Police Records in Kaufman County

The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office at 1900 E. US Highway 175, phone (972) 932-4337, keeps arrest records for incidents in unincorporated county areas. The sheriff's office has an online inmate search at kaufmancounty.net/sheriff. Written records requests are available online or in person. Fees run $5.00 per incident report and $25 plus media cost for video records.

The Terrell Police Department at 3300 State Highway 34 S., phone (972) 551-6600, handles incidents within Terrell. Their records division processes open records requests in about 10 business days. The Forney Police Department at 117 E. Broad Street, phone (972) 564-7600, covers incidents in Forney. Both departments charge $5.00 per police report.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Kaufman County can be purchased through the TxDOT crash report portal. Standard copies cost $6, certified copies cost $8. Reports are delivered by email.

DWI Law and Penalties in Kaufman County

Kaufman County is a growing Dallas-area county and sees a significant volume of DWI cases. All prosecutions follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail, up to 180 days, and a fine up to $2,000. Open container at the time of the arrest raises the minimum to six days.

When the BAC is 0.15 or above, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor with penalties up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Second DWI convictions are also Class A misdemeanors and require a minimum of 30 days in jail. Third and subsequent DWI convictions are third-degree felonies handled by one of Kaufman County's four district courts. These can result in two to ten years in state prison and fines up to $10,000.

Intoxication assault with serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony under Penal Code Section 49.07. Intoxication manslaughter, which causes a death while DWI, is a second-degree felony under Section 49.08. Both carry significantly longer prison terms and heavier fines than standard DWI convictions. Texas adds state surcharge fines on top of all DWI sentences, running $3,000 to $6,000 based on circumstances.

Deferred adjudication is available for first-time DWI offenders in Kaufman County in some cases. Successful completion of deferred adjudication may allow the case to be dismissed, though the arrest record may not be expunged. The court sets conditions including supervised probation, alcohol education, and sometimes ignition interlock devices.

ALR Process in Kaufman County

After a DWI arrest in Kaufman County, the Texas DPS begins the Administrative License Revocation process. The officer takes the driver's license at arrest and issues a temporary permit valid for 40 days. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or lose the license automatically.

Under Transportation Code Chapter 524, failing a chemical test brings a 90-day first suspension. Refusing brings 180 days. Prior offenses within the past ten years extend these periods significantly. After the suspension ends, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS. You can check your driving record status through the DPS records portal.

Note: The ALR process and the criminal DWI case are separate. Criminal court outcomes do not automatically affect ALR suspension status. You need to address both proceedings independently.

Legal Resources and Additional Information

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains statewide criminal history data. You can request your own record through DPS. For state-level public information requests, use the DPS Public Information portal.

For DUI cases involving minors under 21, refer to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol in a driver under 21 is a DUI offense in Texas. These cases carry their own penalties and license suspension requirements. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission enforces these rules statewide.

Blood draws in DWI cases must be performed under warrant in most circumstances following CCP Article 18.067. Blood samples must be processed by labs meeting the standards set by the Texas Forensic Science Commission under CCP Article 38.01.

Legal help for Kaufman County DWI cases is available through private defense attorneys and the State Bar of Texas referral service. If you cannot afford counsel, the court will appoint a lawyer at your first hearing if you qualify. txcourts.gov has information on court-appointed counsel procedures.

Nearby Counties

Kaufman County is east of Dallas. These neighboring counties each maintain their own DWI records systems.