Live Oak County DWI Records

Live Oak County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in George West, the county seat of this South Texas county. Whether you need to look up a felony DWI case or a misdemeanor offense, the county clerks at 301 Houston Street handle records from the 36th District Court and the county court system.

Live Oak County District Clerk

The Live Oak County District Clerk handles felony DWI records for the county. Live Oak County is served by the 36th District Court, which is a shared court that also covers McMullen County. Felony-level cases include third or higher DWI offenses, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15 years old. The district clerk's office is at 301 Houston Street in George West.

Felony DWI records show the indictment, case number, plea information, judgment, sentence, and bond terms. Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, a third DWI is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in prison. Intoxication assault with serious bodily injury is also a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony carrying 2 to 20 years. All felony DWI records are kept permanently. Copy fees are $1.00 per page and $5.00 extra for certified copies. E-filing is available for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov.

Live Oak County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Live Oak County Clerk maintains misdemeanor DWI records at the same 301 Houston Street courthouse address. First and second offense DWI cases are Class B and Class A misdemeanors under Texas Penal Code Sections 49.04 and 49.09. A first offense DWI has a 72-hour minimum jail term and fines up to $2,000. Second offense carries a 30-day minimum. Records list the charge, BAC at time of arrest, plea, and sentence details. Misdemeanor DWI convictions are also retained permanently.

Online access is limited for Live Oak County. Most requests need to be made in person at the courthouse or by mail. If you're sending a written request, include the defendant's full name, approximate date of arrest, and the type of copy you need. The county clerk can be reached at (361) 449-2732. Payment for copies is by cash or check only in many small county offices.

The Texas DPS keeps a statewide criminal history database separate from local court records. You can get a driving record from dps.texas.gov to see statewide conviction history. Fees range from $4 to $22 per record type.

Live Oak County Sheriff Records

The Live Oak County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for unincorporated parts of the county and handles the bulk of DWI arrests. Sheriff's DWI arrest reports include the deputy's narrative, field sobriety test results, chemical test results, and probable cause details. George West is the only significant city in the county, so the sheriff handles most arrests outside of the city's own police jurisdiction.

To get a copy of a Live Oak County sheriff's report, contact the Records Division in George West. Standard report copies are $5.00 each. Certified copies carry an extra $5.00 fee. Written requests can be submitted by mail. Include the date, type of incident, and the names of the people involved. The Texas Public Information Act also applies here, and requests can be directed to DPS at publicrecords@dps.texas.gov for statewide records.

Note: Processing times for Live Oak County records typically run 10 business days for standard requests.

DWI Law and Live Oak County Cases

Live Oak County DWI prosecutions follow Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The standard first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. A BAC of 0.15 or more raises it to Class A. A third DWI is a third-degree felony. Driving drunk with a child under 15 in the vehicle under Section 49.045 is a state jail felony regardless of prior convictions, carrying 180 days to 2 years and fines up to $10,000.

If the DWI involved a crash on Live Oak County roads, the peace officer's crash report is available through TxDOT's CRIS system. Regular copies are $6.00 and certified copies are $8.00. TxDOT holds crash reports for 10 years. All requests must go through the online system now since TxDOT stopped accepting mailed subpoenas after January 2025.

Under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, a minor with any detectable alcohol while driving can face a DUI charge. This is a Class C misdemeanor handled at the municipal or justice court level rather than the district or county court.

The Texas DPS portal shown below covers statewide DWI-related records including the ALR program and driving records that apply to Live Oak County residents and cases.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains the statewide criminal history database covering all convictions including those from Live Oak County courts.

License Suspension After a Live Oak County DWI Arrest

After any DWI arrest in Live Oak County, the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation program begins automatically. The arresting officer takes the driver's physical license and gives a 40-day temporary permit. The driver then has just 15 days to request an ALR hearing with DPS. Miss that window and the suspension happens with no chance to contest it. The ALR process is civil and runs completely separate from the 36th District Court criminal case.

First offense adults who refuse a chemical test face a 180-day suspension. Those who fail at 0.08 or above face 90 days. Any prior ALR suspension within 10 years doubles these periods. A $125 reinstatement fee applies before DPS will issue a new license. All of this is governed by Transportation Code Chapter 524. A not-guilty verdict or dismissal of the criminal charge does not cancel the ALR suspension. That fight is separate.

Nearby Counties

Live Oak County is in South Texas between San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Surrounding counties each have their own DWI court systems.