DUI and DWI Records in Lipscomb County

Lipscomb County DUI and DWI records are kept by the District Clerk and County Clerk in the small Panhandle town of Lipscomb. This is one of the least populous counties in Texas, so the clerk's office handles a modest caseload. If you need to find a DWI record here, plan to contact the office directly or visit in person since online access is very limited.

Lipscomb County District Clerk

The Lipscomb County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records for the county. Lipscomb County is part of the 100th Judicial District, which is a shared district that covers several Panhandle counties. Felony DWI cases include third or higher DWI offenses, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under age 15. The courthouse square address is 100 Courthouse Square in the town of Lipscomb.

Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, a third DWI is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. All of these cases are filed at the district court level and records are kept permanently. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee. Most people who need Lipscomb County felony DWI records will need to visit the courthouse or send a written request by mail since online access for this county is limited.

Lipscomb County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Lipscomb County Clerk holds misdemeanor DWI records for the county's Court at Law. First and second offense DWI are Class B and Class A misdemeanors under Texas Penal Code Sections 49.04 and 49.09. A first offense means a minimum 72 hours in jail. A second offense has a 30-day mandatory minimum. Records include the charge, BAC level, plea, and sentence. The county clerk's office shares the same courthouse address as the district clerk.

Online access for Lipscomb County misdemeanor DWI records is very limited. Your best bet is to call the clerk's office to confirm what records exist before making a trip or sending a mail request. Give the clerk the defendant's full name and approximate case year to help locate the file. Fees are standard: $1.00 per page for copies and $5.00 extra for certified copies.

The Texas DPS also tracks convictions statewide. You can get a driving record from dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 depending on which type you need. Driving records are not available at DPS offices by phone.

Lipscomb County Sheriff Records

The Lipscomb County Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement in this rural Panhandle county. DWI arrest reports from the sheriff's jurisdiction include the deputy's narrative, field sobriety test notes, and arrest details. Because Lipscomb County has no large city, the sheriff handles most DWI arrests outside any small-town police jurisdiction. Report copies are $5.00 each. Certified copies cost $5.00 extra. Submit a written request to the sheriff's office by mail or in person.

The Texas DPS Public Information Act process also applies to law enforcement records. Requests can be emailed to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov. Standard processing takes about 10 business days. Fax requests are no longer accepted as of September 2019.

Note: Lipscomb County is very rural. Call ahead before visiting any county office since hours can sometimes vary.

Texas DWI Law in Lipscomb County

All DWI cases in Lipscomb County follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The base first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor with up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. A BAC of 0.15 or above upgrades it to a Class A. Second offense carries a 30-day minimum and up to a year in jail. Third offense becomes a felony. Records from the district clerk show all the case specifics including the charge level, BAC data, bond terms, and final disposition.

If the DWI involved a crash in Lipscomb County, the peace officer's crash report can be obtained from TxDOT's CRIS system. Regular copies are $6.00 and certified copies are $8.00. All requests must now go through the online CRIS portal since TxDOT stopped accepting mailed subpoenas as of January 2025. TxDOT holds crash records for 10 years under Transportation Code Section 550.062.

For minor DUI cases under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any driver under 21 with any detectable alcohol can be charged. This is a Class C misdemeanor handled at the municipal or justice of the peace level, not the district court.

The Texas DPS portal screenshot below shows the statewide DWI records and driving record system used across all Texas counties, including Lipscomb County.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains statewide DWI conviction data. This includes records from Lipscomb County processed through the 100th District Court.

License Suspension After a Lipscomb County DWI Arrest

After any DWI arrest in Lipscomb County, the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation program kicks in immediately. The arresting officer takes the physical license and hands over a 40-day temporary driving permit. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing or the suspension takes effect without a fight. This is a civil process separate from the criminal case in the 100th District Court or the county court at law.

For adults on a first offense, refusing the breath or blood test means a 180-day suspension. Failing at 0.08 BAC or above means 90 days. Prior suspensions within 10 years double the time. A $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS before getting a new license. Full ALR rules are in Transportation Code Chapter 524. Even if the criminal charge is dropped, the ALR suspension still stands unless the hearing is won separately.

Nearby Counties

Lipscomb County sits in the northeastern Texas Panhandle. Neighboring counties have their own DWI court systems.