Find DWI Records in Mason County

Mason County DUI and DWI records are held by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Mason, Texas. This page covers how to access those records, which courts hold them, and what penalties apply under Texas DWI law for offenses committed in Mason County.

Mason County Clerk Offices

The Mason County District Clerk at co.mason.tx.us/district-clerk manages felony criminal records in the 198th Judicial District. This is a shared district serving multiple counties in the Texas Hill Country region. Felony DWI cases -- third offense and above, plus intoxication assault and manslaughter -- are filed here. The County Clerk at co.mason.tx.us/county-clerk holds misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offenses.

Online access is very limited. Most requests go through in-person visits or mail. Standard copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee. The courthouse is at 300 Avenue F in Mason. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order.

DWI Law in Texas

Texas DWI law lives in Penal Code Chapter 49. The core offense under Section 49.04 is operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in a public place. Two standards define intoxication: a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above, or loss of normal mental or physical faculties caused by alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Either one is enough for a charge.

First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. Minimum time in jail is 72 hours. Maximum is 180 days. Fines top out at $2,000. An open container in the car adds three more days to the minimum. If BAC was 0.15 or higher, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. The TxDOT impaired driving page has a full breakdown of all penalty levels.

Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day mandatory minimum. Third offense is a felony: two to ten years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines. State annual surcharges add $3,000 to $6,000 each year on top of court fines. Driving with a child under 15 while intoxicated is a state jail felony with 180 days to two years in state jail.

Zero tolerance for minors under Section 106.041 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code means any detectable alcohol is enough for a DUI by minor charge. No BAC floor. A first offense is a Class C misdemeanor. License is suspended for 30 days even if the minor does not have a license yet -- the suspension then delays issuance.

How to Access Mason County DWI Records

Visit the Mason County Courthouse at 300 Avenue F to search DWI records in person. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. If you only have a name and no case number, an approximate year of filing helps narrow the search. Copies are generally ready the same day for small requests. For larger requests, the clerk may need more time.

For a statewide case lookup, the Texas Judicial Branch site links to re:SearchTX, which covers many district courts across Texas. Criminal history data from DPS is available online through the Crime Records Division. Full records go through the DPS Public Information process. Driving records are ordered through the DPS driver record system.

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

A DWI arrest in Mason County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process under Transportation Code Chapter 524. The arresting officer takes your license and gives you a 40-day permit. You have 15 days to request a hearing. No request means automatic suspension on day 40. The ALR hearing is a civil proceeding separate from the criminal DWI case.

Refusal to test means a 180-day suspension for a first offense or two years for a second refusal within ten years. Failing the test at 0.08 or more means a 90-day first-offense suspension or one year with a prior in the last decade. Reinstatement requires a $125 fee to Texas DPS. A win in the criminal case does not undo an ALR suspension that was already resolved in the administrative system.

Note: ALR hearings are conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). The burden of proof is lower than in criminal court -- preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.

Crash Reports and Related Records

If a DWI in Mason County involved a crash, a Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) may be on file with TxDOT. Officers file these within 10 days for crashes with injury, death, or damage of $1,000 or more. Standard copies are $6.00 and certified copies are $8.00 through the TxDOT CRIS system. Access is restricted to those directly involved in the crash.

Blood test evidence in DWI cases must come from accredited labs overseen by the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Officers who conduct field sobriety tests must be trained under TCOLE standards set by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701. Breath test operators also need TCOLE certification to use results in court.

For criminal history at the state level, contact the Texas DPS Public Information office. Requests can be sent to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or mailed to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773.

Texas DPS processes public records requests for criminal history and driving records through the Public Information office.

Requests are accepted online, by email, and by mail to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773.

Nearby Counties

Mason County is in the Texas Hill Country. These neighboring counties may have records if you are unsure of the jurisdiction.