DWI Records in Panola County

Panola County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the County Clerk and District Clerk at the Panola County Courthouse in Carthage, Texas. If you want to find a DWI case or get copies of court documents, both offices are open during regular business hours. Misdemeanor DWI charges are handled by the County Clerk. Felony DWI offenses, such as a third conviction, DWI with a child passenger, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter, go through the District Clerk. Records can be accessed in person or by mail.

Panola County Clerk and District Clerk

The Panola County Clerk handles all Class A and Class B misdemeanor DWI records. That means first and second offense DWI cases are filed and kept in the County Clerk's office. The District Clerk handles all felony cases, including third offense DWI, DWI with a child passenger under 15, and intoxication-related felonies. Both offices are at the same location in Carthage.

The Panola County Clerk is at 110 S. Sycamore Street, Carthage, TX 75633. The phone is (903) 693-0302. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-in visits allow you to search by name or cause number at the front counter. Mail requests need a written description of the record, your contact details, and payment for the estimated copy fee.

The Panola County District Clerk is also at 110 S. Sycamore Street and can be reached at (903) 693-0310. This office serves the 123rd and 172nd Judicial District Courts. Felony DWI cases enter the district court through indictment. Records are public and available during courthouse hours. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for standard copies.

How to Find Panola County DUI Records

The most direct way to search Panola County DWI records is to go to the courthouse in Carthage and ask at the clerk's counter. Bring the full name of the person and, if you have it, an approximate year or cause number. Staff can look up the case and provide copies on the spot. You pay the copy fee at the time of the request.

For mail requests, write a letter describing the record you need. Include the name, approximate filing date, and your return address. Send a check or money order for the expected copy fee. The Texas Judicial Branch offers guidance on accessing court records across the state. The re:SearchTX portal may have limited docket data for Panola County cases.

The Panola County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency handling DWI arrests in the county. Arrest records and incident reports can be requested in writing under the Texas Public Information Act. The Sheriff's Office is in Carthage and is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

Crash reports tied to DWI arrests are kept by the Texas Department of Transportation. A standard crash report copy is $6.00 and a certified version is $8.00. You can order them through the TxDOT online system or by mail.

Note: Online case search tools for Panola County are limited. In-person visits or mail requests are recommended for the most complete results.

DWI Charges and Penalties Under Texas Law

Texas defines DWI and all related offenses in Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. A first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. It means up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. There is a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail for any first offense. If an open container was present, that minimum goes up to six days.

A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties go up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. There is a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail. If a blood or breath test shows a BAC of 0.15 or higher, even a first offense is elevated to a Class A charge. The TxDOT impaired driving page gives plain-language summaries of all penalty ranges.

A third DWI is a third degree felony under Texas law. That means 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. DWI with a child passenger under 15 years old is a state jail felony regardless of prior DWI history. Intoxication assault, where someone is seriously injured, is a third degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony and carries 2 to 20 years in prison. These serious felony charges are handled by the Panola County District Clerk.

Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any driver under 21 with any detectable alcohol in their system can face a separate DUI charge. This applies to minors and carries its own set of penalties, including mandatory alcohol education and license suspension.

Administrative License Revocation in Panola County

After a DWI arrest in Panola County, the arresting officer takes the driver's physical license and issues a Notice of Suspension. This is a civil action managed by the Texas DPS under the Administrative License Revocation program established in Texas Transportation Code Chapter 524.

You have 15 days from the arrest date to request an ALR hearing. If you miss this window, your license suspension takes effect automatically on day 40 after notice was served. The temporary permit included in the Notice of Suspension is valid for 40 days. First-time refusal of a chemical test brings a 180-day suspension. A failed test at or above 0.08 BAC results in a 90-day suspension. Before you can get your license back, you must pay a $125 reinstatement fee to DPS.

Note: An ALR suspension is a separate civil proceeding from the criminal DWI case. A license can be suspended even if the criminal case is later dismissed.

Panola County Courts

Panola County has two district courts: the 123rd Judicial District Court and the 172nd Judicial District Court. Both handle felony criminal cases, including DWI felony charges. The County Court at Law handles Class A and B misdemeanors, which includes first and second offense DWI cases in Carthage.

For defendants who qualify, the court may offer deferred adjudication or community supervision as alternatives to jail time. These options typically involve probation, fines, community service, and sometimes alcohol treatment programs. Check with the court clerk about available programs and eligibility requirements.

All law enforcement officers in Panola County who conduct DWI stops and arrests are certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701. TCOLE sets the training and certification standards for field sobriety tests, breath alcohol testing, and blood draw procedures used in DWI arrests across Texas.

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division stores statewide criminal history data submitted by law enforcement agencies, including those in Panola County. You can request a personal criminal history directly from DPS if you want to see what is on file.

Driving Records and DPS Services

A Texas driving record includes DWI convictions, license suspensions, and traffic violations. The Texas DPS driver record page covers the different types of records available. A Type 2 record goes back three years. A Type 3 covers your full driving history. You can order online, by mail with Form DR-1, or by phone for some options. Online copies cost $4.00 to $22.00 depending on the type.

Mail requests for driver records go to Texas DPS, Box 149008, Austin, TX 78714-9008. Processing typically takes up to three weeks. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission regulates alcohol licensing in Panola County and reports compliance data to state records systems.

The state image below shows the official Texas DPS records resources used across Texas for DUI and DWI records.

Texas DPS maintains criminal history, driver records, and public information systems that connect to county-level DWI records in Panola County and across the state.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Panola County. Each has its own courthouse for DWI records.