Ward County DUI and DWI Records

Ward County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Monahans. The county courthouse on El Paso Street is the main access point for criminal case files, including DWI arrests and convictions. This page explains how to get Ward County DWI records, which courts handle these cases, and where to find related information from state agencies.

Ward County District Clerk

The Ward County District Clerk maintains felony DWI records through the 143rd District Court. This court is shared with Winkler County, with the judge rotating between Monahans and Kermit. Felony DWI cases here include DWI third offense or more, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15 years old.

The District Clerk office is at 400 E. El Paso Street, Monahans, TX 79756. The phone number is (432) 943-2091. Records include the charge, filing date, bond details, hearing history, and final outcome. Document copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification. E-filing for attorneys is available through the state system. Online records access is very limited in Ward County, so most requests require an in-person visit or written request to the office.

Felony DWI convictions under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 are kept permanently. Intoxication assault under Section 49.07 carries 2 to 10 years in prison. Intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08 carries 2 to 20 years. Both charges generate permanent case files at the District Clerk level.

Ward County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI

The Ward County Clerk at 400 E. El Paso Street handles all misdemeanor DWI records through the County Court at Law. Phone is (432) 943-2092. First-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Section 49.04, with a minimum of 72 hours confinement. Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with 30 days mandatory. A first offense with a BAC at or above 0.15 is also elevated to Class A.

Misdemeanor records show the charge, arrest date, court assignment, plea, and sentence. All DWI convictions are kept permanently. Records are available by in-person request or written request to the County Clerk. The office has limited online access, so direct contact with the clerk's office is the most reliable way to get records. Staff can search by name or case number during regular business hours.

DWI Arrests in Ward County

DWI arrests in Ward County are made by the Ward County Sheriff's Office, the Monahans Police Department, and Texas DPS troopers who patrol I-20. Ward County sits along I-20 in the Permian Basin, and highway stops account for a notable share of DWI arrests in the county. Arrest records from these agencies flow into the county court system for prosecution.

The Ward County Sheriff's Office in Monahans handles arrests in unincorporated areas of the county. Incident reports and booking records are maintained at the jail. For records requests, contact the Sheriff's office directly. Reports typically cost $5.00. Processing time varies by request type. Video footage from dash cams or body cams may be requested through a formal public information request under the Texas Public Information Act.

TxDPS troopers from the Permian Basin region patrol I-20 through Ward County. DPS arrest records can be requested through DPS public information requests. Written requests can be emailed to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or mailed to DPS in Austin. Crash reports from DWI accidents on I-20 can be purchased through TxDOT's CRIS system for $6 standard or $8 certified.

License Suspension in Ward County

After a DWI arrest in Ward County, Texas DPS initiates the Administrative License Revocation process right away. The arresting officer takes the driver's physical license and gives them a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension takes effect. The ALR process is governed by Transportation Code Chapter 524.

For a first-offense adult refusing a chemical test, the suspension is 180 days. Failing the test at 0.08 or above brings 90 days. Prior ALR suspensions within 10 years double those periods. A $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS before a new license is issued. You can order a driving record at dps.texas.gov. The certified Type 3A record costs $10 online and is often needed for legal proceedings.

Texas DWI Law Applied in Ward County

Ward County courts apply Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 to all DWI charges. The standard first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. With an open container of alcohol in the car, the minimum jail time rises from 72 hours to six days. DWI with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony under Section 49.045, separate from any prior DWI history.

Ward County DWI records include case filings, bond conditions, docket entries, plea agreements, and sentences. Records for dismissed cases are kept five years. Deferred adjudication records are kept two years after discharge. Conviction records are permanent. Appellate records for Ward County cases go through the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso and can be searched at txcourts.gov.

For statewide criminal history including Ward County DWI convictions, contact DPS Crime Records Services. Public conviction data is available online. Personal criminal history can be requested with a fingerprint-based search. Employers can use the online DPS portal for conviction-level background checks under Texas Government Code.

State DWI Resources for Ward County

Texas DPS maintains driving and criminal history records for all Ward County residents. The official Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 page shows current DWI statutes used in Ward County prosecutions.

Driving records, ALR status, and criminal history for Ward County DWI cases can all be accessed through official state portals. DPS holds these records and makes conviction data available to the public.

Nearby Counties

Ward County is in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. DWI cases from neighboring counties are handled in their own district and county courts.