McCulloch County DUI and DWI Records

McCulloch County DUI and DWI records are kept at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Brady, Texas. This page explains how to find DWI case records in McCulloch County, which offices hold different case types, and what Texas law says about impaired driving penalties.

McCulloch County Clerk Offices

The McCulloch County District Clerk at co.mcculloch.tx.us/district-clerk manages felony criminal records in the 198th Judicial District. This shared district serves several Hill Country counties. Felony DWI cases -- third offense and above, plus intoxication assault and manslaughter -- go through the district court. The County Clerk at co.mcculloch.tx.us/county-clerk holds first and second offense DWI misdemeanor records.

Online access to McCulloch County court records is very limited. The best way to get records is to visit or write the courthouse in Brady. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies add a $5.00 per document fee. For mail requests, include the name, any case details, a check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

DWI Charges Under Texas Law

Texas DWI law is found in Penal Code Chapter 49. Section 49.04 sets the basic DWI offense: operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. "Intoxicated" means either a BAC of 0.08 or more, or impaired mental or physical faculties from alcohol or drugs. Both standards can support a DWI charge, and impairment can be proven even with low BAC readings if officer observations support it.

First offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Minimum jail time is 72 hours. Maximum is 180 days. Fines go up to $2,000. An open container in the car raises the minimum to six days. A BAC of 0.15 or above at the time of arrest makes it a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. The TxDOT impaired driving page lays out all penalty levels for DWI in Texas.

Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day mandatory minimum. Third offense is a third-degree felony with two to ten years in prison. Annual state surcharges of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 are added on top of any court fines. Driving with a child under 15 in the car while intoxicated is a state jail felony under Section 49.045 regardless of any prior record.

Minors under 21 face a zero tolerance rule under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable alcohol in the driver's system is enough for a DUI by minor charge. Community service, an alcohol awareness class, a fine, and a license suspension all follow a first conviction. Parents may need to attend the program if the driver is under 18.

How to Search DWI Records in McCulloch County

To access DWI records in McCulloch County, visit or write the courthouse at 199 Courthouse Square in Brady. The clerk can search by name or case number. Bring a full legal name and, if possible, a year for the case. Records requests for small amounts are usually processed the same day. Larger requests may need a day or two. Mail requests take longer depending on the office's workload.

The statewide Texas courts portal has links to re:SearchTX for case lookups across many district courts. For criminal history data, the DPS Crime Records Division has conviction records online. Full records go through DPS Public Information. Driving records can be ordered through the DPS driver record system for $4 to $22 depending on the record type.

Note: McCulloch County does not have a staffed online portal for case lookups. Most records access is handled in person or by mail.

License Suspension and ALR Hearings

A DWI arrest in McCulloch County triggers the Administrative License Revocation process under Transportation Code Chapter 524. The officer takes your license and issues a 40-day temporary permit. You have 15 days from the arrest date to request a hearing. No request means the suspension takes effect automatically on day 40.

Refusing a breath or blood test means a 180-day suspension for a first refusal or two years for a second within ten years. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means a 90-day first-offense suspension or one year with a prior suspension in the last decade. Reinstatement requires a $125 fee paid to Texas DPS. The ALR process runs as a civil proceeding separate from the criminal DWI case, so results in one do not automatically control the other.

Crash Reports and Arrest Records

DWI crashes in McCulloch County generate Peace Officer's Crash Reports (CR-3) filed with TxDOT. Officers submit within 10 days for crashes involving injury, death, or damage of $1,000 or more. A regular copy is $6.00, a certified copy is $8.00 through the TxDOT CRIS system. Access is limited to persons directly involved in the crash.

The McCulloch County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records for county incidents. Submit a written open records request to get DWI arrest reports, which contain stop narratives, field sobriety test notes, and chemical test results. For state-level criminal records, use the DPS Public Information process. Email requests go to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov.

The Texas DPS Public Information office processes records requests for driving and criminal history under the Texas Public Information Act.

Requests can be mailed to Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773 or submitted online through the DPS Public Information Center.

Nearby Counties

McCulloch County is in Central Texas. These neighboring counties are part of the same or adjacent judicial districts.