Shackelford County DUI and DWI Records

Shackelford County DUI and DWI records are on file at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in Albany. You can search for DWI case records in person at the courthouse or contact the clerk's office directly to request copies of DUI arrest records, court filings, and case dispositions.

Shackelford County District Clerk

The District Clerk in Albany keeps all felony DWI records for Shackelford County. This includes third-offense DWI cases, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. These are the most serious DUI-related charges under Texas law. Felony DWI cases go through the 50th District Court, which serves Shackelford County along with several other West Texas counties.

Records are open to the public during business hours. You can search by defendant name or case number. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee per document. Contact the clerk before you visit to confirm what you need and how to pay. The office is small and staff can help you find what you need fast.

Shackelford County Clerk

The County Clerk handles misdemeanor DWI records. That means first and second offense cases filed in county court. Most DWI arrests in Shackelford County start here. Class B misdemeanor DWI is the most common charge. A BAC of 0.08 or more or proven impairment under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 is required for conviction.

The county clerk can look up cases by name or case number. You can come in person or send a written request by mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents sent back to you. Call ahead to ask about turnaround times and fees.

Texas DWI Law and Shackelford County

Texas law treats DWI seriously. A first offense under Penal Code Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. It carries up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. The legal BAC limit is 0.08. But officers can charge you based on impairment alone if you show signs of intoxication even below that threshold.

A second DWI becomes a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum of 30 days in jail. A third offense jumps to a felony of the third degree under Section 49.09, which carries 2 to 10 years in prison. Driving with a child passenger while intoxicated is a state jail felony regardless of prior record.

For drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol is a violation under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. That is the zero tolerance rule. Minors face license suspension, community service, and mandatory alcohol education even for a first offense.

Texas also has an Administrative License Revocation process separate from the criminal case. Under Transportation Code Chapter 524, DPS can suspend a license if you refuse chemical testing or fail a breath or blood test. The suspension runs parallel to the criminal case. You have 15 days to request a hearing after the arrest to fight the ALR suspension.

Note: A $125 reinstatement fee applies before DPS will restore a license after an ALR suspension.

DWI Arrest Records in Shackelford County

After a DWI arrest, the case record starts at the arresting agency. The Shackelford County Sheriff's Office and the Albany Police Department are the primary law enforcement agencies in the county. Both can receive open records requests for arrest reports and incident records.

Arrest reports document the stop, officer observations, field sobriety test results, and chemical test data. These records are separate from the court records held by the clerk's offices. You need to request them from the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also keeps criminal history records. You can request a personal record through the DPS Crime Records Division or submit a DR-1 form to get a driving record that shows DWI-related license actions. DWI convictions are permanent on a Texas driving record.

Crash records tied to DWI incidents are kept by TxDOT under Transportation Code Section 550.062. Reports cost $6 for a standard copy and $8 for a certified copy. You can buy them through the CRIS online system.

How to Search Shackelford County DUI Records

Start with the clerk's office. The District Clerk has felony case records. The County Clerk has misdemeanor records. Both offices are at the same address in Albany. If you know the type of charge, you can go to the right office first. If you are not sure, the County Clerk can usually point you in the right direction.

For online searches, the Texas Judicial Branch's txcourts.gov portal can help locate court information. Not all small counties have fully digital case search tools, so calling ahead is the best first step. You can also check if e-filing records are available through the state's eFileTexas system for more recently filed cases.

The statewide DPS system holds conviction data that is separate from what the county clerks keep. If you need a certified copy of a conviction record for a legal matter, that comes from the clerk's office. If you need a driving record with suspension history, that comes from DPS. The two records serve different needs.

You can also order your own driving record directly from DPS online. Costs range from $4 to $22 depending on the type. The Type 3A certified complete history is the most often needed for legal or insurance purposes and costs $10 online.

Note: Expunged records are removed from public access. If a case was expunged under Texas law, it will not appear in a public search.

DWI Penalties Under Texas Law

Texas sets DWI penalties through the Penal Code and assesses additional state fines at sentencing. On top of the standard fines, courts add surcharges of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 depending on the circumstances. These go into the state's general fund and are separate from any court costs.

If you caused serious injury while driving drunk, the charge becomes Intoxication Assault under Section 49.07, a third-degree felony. If someone died, the charge is Intoxication Manslaughter under Section 49.08, a second-degree felony. If the victim was a peace officer or firefighter on duty, the charge can go up to a first-degree felony with up to 99 years or life in prison.

Key DWI penalty ranges in Texas:

• First offense: Up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine, up to 1 year license loss
• Second offense: 30 days to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine, up to 2 years license loss
• Third offense: 2 to 10 years prison, $10,000 fine, up to 2 years license loss
• BAC 0.15+: Class A misdemeanor even on first offense
• Child passenger: State jail felony, $10,000 fine, 180-day extra suspension

Open container violations add to the minimum jail time. If you had an open container when stopped, the mandatory minimum jumps from 72 hours to six days even on a first offense. The open container law applies to the passenger compartment of any vehicle on a public highway.

Nearby Counties

Shackelford County borders several West Texas counties. DWI cases in those areas are handled by their own courts and clerks.