Matagorda County DWI Records

Matagorda County DUI and DWI records are maintained at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Bay City, Texas. This page explains how to find DWI records, which courts handle them, and what Texas state law says about impaired driving charges and penalties.

Matagorda County Clerk Offices

The Matagorda County District Clerk holds all felony criminal records for the 130th Judicial District. Felony DWI cases -- third offense and above, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter -- are filed here. The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor DWI records for first and second offense cases. Both offices are in Bay City at the county courthouse.

Record access is primarily in person or by mail. Online access is limited. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 per document for certification. Bring the name and any case number or year you have. Mail requests need a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order.

Texas DWI Charges and Penalties

DWI in Texas is defined under Penal Code Section 49.04 as operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxication means either a BAC of 0.08 or more, or impaired mental or physical faculties caused by alcohol, drugs, or any substance. Either standard can support a charge, so low BAC alone does not guarantee no prosecution.

A first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours in jail, up to 180 days, and fines up to $2,000. An open container in the vehicle raises the minimum to six days. If BAC was 0.15 or above, the charge becomes Class A with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. The TxDOT impaired driving resource lays out penalty ranges clearly.

Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day mandatory minimum. Third offense is a felony: two to ten years in prison, fines up to $10,000, plus annual state surcharges of $3,000 to $6,000. Driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony regardless of prior record under Section 49.045.

For minors under 21, Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041 applies zero tolerance. Any detectable alcohol means a DUI by minor charge. Community service, a fine, an alcohol awareness class, and a license suspension all follow from a first conviction.

Accessing DWI Records in Matagorda County

To search DWI records in Matagorda County, visit the courthouse at 1700 7th Street in Bay City. The clerk's office can search by defendant name or case number. Providing an approximate year of filing helps narrow a name search. For mail requests, describe the records you need and include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for copy fees.

The Texas courts website links to the re:SearchTX statewide case portal. That system covers felony cases in many district courts and is a good first step. Criminal history records are maintained by the DPS Crime Records Division. Conviction data is searchable online. Full records requests go through DPS Public Information.

Driving records can be ordered from DPS through the driver record system. You will need a Texas license number, date of birth, and DPS audit number for online orders. Mail orders use Form DR-1. Processing takes up to three weeks by mail.

Driver's License and ALR

Following a DWI arrest in Matagorda County, the officer takes your license and gives a 40-day temporary permit. You have 15 days to request an ALR hearing under Transportation Code Chapter 524. Miss the deadline and the suspension starts on day 40. The ALR hearing is a civil proceeding run by the State Office of Administrative Hearings. It operates independently from the criminal DWI case.

Refusal to test brings a 180-day suspension for a first offense or two years with a prior refusal in the last decade. Failing the test at 0.08 or above results in a 90-day first-offense suspension or one year with a prior. Reinstatement costs a $125 fee to Texas DPS. A finding in one proceeding does not automatically affect the other.

Crash Reports and Arrest Documents

DWI incidents involving crashes generate Peace Officer's Crash Reports (CR-3) submitted to TxDOT within 10 days. These cost $6.00 for a standard copy and $8.00 for a certified copy through the CRIS system. Access is limited to those directly involved. Matagorda County sits along the Gulf Coast, and DWI crashes on state and county roads are documented here.

The Matagorda County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records for incidents in the county's jurisdiction. Contact the sheriff's office directly for open records requests for DWI arrest reports. The Texas DPS Public Information office handles requests for statewide criminal records. Email: publicrecords@dps.texas.gov, or mail to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773.

The Texas DPS Public Information office handles records requests under the Texas Public Information Act.

Requests can also be made in person at 5805 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756.

Nearby Counties

Matagorda County is on the Texas Gulf Coast. These neighboring counties may have records from incidents near county lines.