San Patricio County DUI and DWI Records

San Patricio County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Sinton. Both felony and misdemeanor DWI case files are kept at the San Patricio County Courthouse, and you can search or request records through either clerk depending on the offense level.

San Patricio County District Clerk

The San Patricio County District Clerk at 400 W. Sinton Street handles all felony DWI records for the county. Two district courts hear felony criminal cases in San Patricio County: the 36th and 343rd District Courts. Felony DWI includes third offense DWI and above, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49.

The district clerk can be reached at (361) 364-4200. Online access to San Patricio County court records is limited. For most searches, you will need to contact the clerk directly or visit the courthouse in Sinton. Case searches can be done by defendant name or case number. Document copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an extra $5.00 per document. Electronic filing through eFileTexas.gov is available for attorneys.

The following screenshot shows the San Patricio County District Clerk's website, which provides information on how to access court records and request documents for DWI cases filed in the county's district courts.

The San Patricio County District Clerk handles felony DWI records including third and higher offense DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter cases from the 36th and 343rd District Courts.

San Patricio County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The San Patricio County Clerk at 400 W. Sinton Street, Room 122, maintains misdemeanor DWI records for the County Court at Law. Phone is (361) 364-2200. First offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code Sections 49.04 and 49.09. A first offense with BAC of 0.15 or above is also elevated to Class A.

The following screenshot shows the San Patricio County Clerk's website. The county clerk manages misdemeanor criminal court records including first and second offense DWI cases prosecuted in the County Court at Law.

The San Patricio County Clerk's office in Sinton maintains misdemeanor DWI records and provides copies for $1.00 per page at the courthouse window or by mail.

In-person records access is the standard method for San Patricio County. You can also submit written requests by mail with payment included. Misdemeanor DWI conviction records are maintained permanently. Court costs for DWI cases include fines assessed by the judge, mandatory surcharges, and the Crime Stoppers fee. Records show all of this detail along with any probation terms imposed.

Note: Second offense DWI under Section 49.09 carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail. Bond conditions for second-offense cases regularly include ignition interlock requirements before a person can drive.

Local Law Enforcement Records

The San Patricio County Sheriff's Office handles DWI arrests in unincorporated areas. The Portland Police Department at 1900 Billy G. Webb Drive covers the largest city in the county and can be reached at (361) 777-4444. Incident and accident reports from either agency cost $5.00 per report and can be requested online or in person.

Other communities in San Patricio County include Sinton, Aransas Pass, Gregory, Taft, Odem, and Mathis. DWI arrests in those cities are handled by their respective city police departments. Court cases from all cities in San Patricio County are filed with the county courts in Sinton.

Booking records and current inmate information may be available through the San Patricio County Sheriff's website. DWI arrest reports from the Sheriff include the deputy's observations of impairment, field sobriety test results, and breath or blood test results. These become part of the court file when the case is filed with the district attorney and then the clerk's office.

For crash-related DWI cases in San Patricio County, the peace officer crash report (CR-3) can be ordered through the TxDOT CRIS Request system. These cost $6 for a regular copy and $8 for certified. Records are kept for 10 years.

Texas DWI Law and License Actions

Every DWI arrest in San Patricio County triggers the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation process. The arresting officer takes the driver's license and issues a 40-day temporary driving permit. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing with Texas DPS. If no hearing is requested, the suspension becomes final when the temporary permit expires.

For a first offense, failing a chemical test at 0.08 or above means a 90-day suspension. Refusing the test brings a 180-day suspension. Prior ALR actions within 10 years double both periods. The ALR process runs separately from the criminal case in court. A criminal dismissal does not stop or undo the license suspension. Both must be contested separately. The governing statute is Transportation Code Chapter 524.

Driving records can be ordered from dps.texas.gov. Prices run $4 to $22 depending on the type. The Texas DPS Crime Records Service at dps.texas.gov/section/crime-records maintains statewide criminal history including DWI records from all Texas counties.

Nearby Counties

San Patricio County is located in South Texas on the Gulf Coast. DWI cases from surrounding counties are handled by their own courts.