Mitchell County DWI Records Lookup

Mitchell County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Colorado City. This West Texas county sits along Interstate 20 between Abilene and Midland, and DWI cases here go through the 32nd District Court for felonies and the County Court at Law for misdemeanor charges. Records are accessible in person at the courthouse or by contacting the clerk offices directly.

Mitchell County District Clerk

The Mitchell County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records for the county. The 32nd District Court hears third or higher DWI offenses, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter cases filed in Mitchell County. Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49, a third DWI is a third-degree felony with a prison range of 2 to 10 years. These records are kept permanently. The courthouse is in Colorado City, which sits along I-20.

Online access to Mitchell County court records is very limited. Most record searches must be done in person or by written request by mail. When visiting, bring the full legal name of the defendant and the approximate year of the case. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an additional $5.00. E-filing is available for attorneys through the state system. The clerk is the best first contact for getting a case number if you do not already have one.

Mitchell County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Mitchell County Clerk holds misdemeanor DWI records for the County Court at Law. A first DWI under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum 72-hour jail sentence and fines up to $2,000. A BAC reading of 0.15 or higher upgrades it to a Class A misdemeanor with up to a year in jail. Second DWI is a Class A with a mandatory 30-day minimum jail term. All misdemeanor DWI records are permanent. They show the charge, BAC, plea, and court outcome.

The county clerk office is at the courthouse in Colorado City. In-person access is the standard way to get records. Mail requests are accepted as well. Bring photo ID and the defendant's full legal name. Standard copy fees apply. The clerk can search the docket by name and year if you do not have the case number. Older records may require extra time to pull from storage but are available.

The Texas DPS Public Information portal, shown here, explains how to request criminal history records statewide, which can supplement Mitchell County court records.

Texas DPS public information requests can provide additional criminal history context for DWI cases filed in Mitchell County courts.

Mitchell County Sheriff DWI Arrests

The Mitchell County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. DWI arrests made by the sheriff's deputies result in reports and booking records that are held separately from the court files at the clerk offices. Requests for these records go through the Texas Public Information Act process. Contact the sheriff's office directly with the person's name and approximate arrest date.

Report copies typically cost $5.00. Standard requests take up to 10 business days. Arrest reports contain the deputy's observations of impairment, field sobriety test data, chemical test results, and the formal charge under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. Mitchell County's location on I-20 means the sheriff also handles DWI stops on that major highway corridor. Body camera or dash camera footage can be requested separately.

Note: The Colorado City Police Department handles DWI arrests within city limits. Their records are separate from the county sheriff's files but the same court system handles the resulting cases.

License Suspension After a Mitchell County DWI

Every DWI arrest in Mitchell County triggers the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation program. The arresting officer takes the physical license and gives a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension becomes final automatically. The ALR is a civil proceeding handled by the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings. It runs on a completely separate track from the criminal DWI case in Mitchell County court. The governing statute is Transportation Code Chapter 524.

A first offense refusal to provide a chemical sample leads to a 180-day license suspension. Failing the test at 0.08 or above leads to 90 days. Prior ALR history within 10 years doubles both. A $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS before a new license is issued. Even a dismissed criminal case does not automatically lift the ALR suspension.

Texas DWI Law and Mitchell County Cases

Mitchell County DWI cases are filed under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The base first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. Having an open container of alcohol in hand at the time of the DWI bumps the minimum jail time from 72 hours to six days, even on a first offense. A BAC of 0.15 or above makes it a Class A. Driving with a child under 15 in the car while intoxicated under Section 49.045 is a state jail felony carrying 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility.

Mitchell County's position along I-20 means the county processes a number of DWI arrests from highway traffic stops. Crash reports for accidents connected to DWI cases can be requested from TxDOT through the CRIS Request system for $6 or $8 depending on whether you need a certified copy. TxDOT keeps crash records for 10 years and stopped accepting mail subpoena requests in January 2025.

Statewide criminal conviction records including prior DWI history can be checked through the Texas DPS Crime Records Service. Prior convictions affect whether a new Mitchell County DWI charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, making this a useful tool for attorneys and defendants.

Nearby Counties

Mitchell County is in West Texas along I-20 between Abilene and Midland. DWI cases in neighboring counties are handled by their own courts.