Kent County DWI Records

Kent County DUI records and DWI case files are kept at the county courthouse in Jayton. This rural West Texas county has one of the smallest populations in the state. DWI records are maintained by the county clerk and are available to the public. Because of limited staff and no online access, records requests must be made in person or by mail.

Kent County Clerk Office

The Kent County Clerk in Jayton handles all court records including DWI case files. Both misdemeanor and felony DWI records are in this office. Kent County is part of the 50th Judicial District, which serves multiple West Texas counties. The district court convenes in the county on a rotating schedule. For recent or active felony DWI cases, the district clerk function is performed by the same county clerk office.

Due to the very small population and limited resources, call ahead before visiting. Mail requests are strongly preferred. Copy fees are $1.00 per page and $5.00 for certified copies. Online records access is not available.

Requesting DWI Records in Kent County

To request records from Kent County, write to Kent County Clerk, 201 N. Austin Street, Jayton, TX 79528. Include the defendant's full name, the approximate date of the offense or case, whether you need plain or certified copies, and payment by money order or check. Allow time for the small office to process and mail your request back.

Visiting in person is also possible but call ahead first to confirm the clerk will be available to assist you. The courthouse in Jayton is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Staff can search the case index by name or cause number and make copies at the counter.

The Texas courts website may have some limited Kent County data. For crash reports from DWI accidents, use the TxDOT portal. Reports are $6 standard and $8 certified. Texas DPS driving records are available online at the DPS website.

Texas DWI Law in Kent County

Kent County DWI arrests and prosecutions follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of three days in jail, up to 180 days, and a fine up to $2,000. Open container raises the minimum to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or higher is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail.

Second convictions are Class A misdemeanors with a 30-day mandatory minimum. Third and subsequent offenses are third-degree felonies in the 50th District Court. These carry two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Texas adds state surcharge fines of $3,000 to $6,000 on top of court-imposed sentences.

Intoxication assault is a third-degree felony under Section 49.07. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony under Section 49.08 with up to 20 years in prison. These serious offenses apply in Kent County just as anywhere else in Texas. The TxDOT impaired driving page provides a complete penalty summary.

License Suspension and ALR

A DWI arrest in Kent County triggers the ALR process through Texas DPS. The officer takes the license at arrest and issues a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request a hearing within 15 days or lose the license on day 40 automatically.

Under Transportation Code Chapter 524, failing a test brings a 90-day suspension for a first offense. Refusing brings 180 days. Repeat offenses within ten years extend these periods. A $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS after any suspension before driving again.

Note: The ALR and criminal case are separate processes. Even a not-guilty verdict in the criminal case does not reverse an ALR suspension that has already been imposed by DPS.

State Resources for Kent County DWI Cases

The Kent County Sheriff handles law enforcement and arrests in this rural county. Arrest records can be requested from the sheriff's office in writing. The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains the statewide criminal history database.

For minors under 21, any detectable alcohol while driving is a DUI offense under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. The TABC enforces these zero tolerance rules statewide. For public information requests to DPS or other state agencies, use the DPS Public Information portal.

Nearby Counties

Kent County is in remote West Texas near Lubbock. These bordering counties have their own DWI records systems.