Wheeler County DUI and DWI Records

Wheeler County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk at the courthouse in Wheeler, Texas. You can search these records to find DWI case filings, charges, and court outcomes for arrests that occurred in Wheeler County.

Wheeler County District Clerk

The Wheeler County District Clerk keeps all felony DWI records in the county. The 31st District Court handles cases in Wheeler County. Felony DWI charges include third or higher offenses, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15. These are prosecuted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The District Clerk maintains the full case record including filings, docket entries, and final judgments.

The District Clerk office is at 401 Main Street in Wheeler. Records can be requested in person or by mail. Document copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $5.00. Online access to Wheeler County case records is limited, so most requests need to go through the office directly. Call ahead to ask about wait times. The courthouse is typically open Monday through Friday.

The Texas Courts website lists current court assignments for the 31st District Court. This can help you confirm jurisdiction before contacting the clerk's office.

Wheeler County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

Misdemeanor DWI cases in Wheeler County go through the County Court at Law. The County Clerk manages all filings and records for these cases. A first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 with a minimum of 72 hours in jail and up to 180 days. A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 49.09 with a 30-day minimum confinement. Records for both levels are kept permanently by the County Clerk.

To request records from the County Clerk, visit the courthouse at 401 Main Street in Wheeler or send a written request by mail. You will need the defendant's name and, if possible, the year of the case. Fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $5.00 extra for certified copies. The County Clerk office handles general county records along with misdemeanor criminal matters.

Note: Wheeler County is a small rural county with limited online record access. Most searches require direct contact with the clerk's office by phone or in person.

Wheeler County Sheriff - DWI Arrest Records

The Wheeler County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. DWI arrests outside of city limits are handled by the Sheriff. Arrest records from the Sheriff include the incident report, officer observations, field sobriety test data, and booking information. These records are held separately from the court records at the District Clerk and County Clerk offices. Contact the Sheriff's office to request these reports.

At the state level, the Texas DPS Crime Records Division stores DWI arrest data submitted by all Texas counties including Wheeler County. DPS also manages criminal history records that are used in background checks. You can request records through the DPS public information portal at dps.texas.gov or by mail to their Austin office.

The image below shows the official Texas DPS government records portal used to access DWI and criminal history records across all Texas counties.

The Texas DPS collects and maintains all DWI arrest information submitted by Wheeler County law enforcement. Statewide criminal history records are available through the DPS Crime Records Division.

Texas DWI Law Applied in Wheeler County

Wheeler County cases are prosecuted under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49. The basic DWI definition in Section 49.04 covers all motor vehicle operation while intoxicated in a public place. Intoxication means a BAC of 0.08 or more, or impaired mental or physical faculties from alcohol, drugs, or a combination. Both standards apply in Wheeler County courts.

Texas law also includes additional penalties for certain DWI situations. Under Section 49.04, driving with an open container raises the minimum jail time to six days even for a first offense. A BAC of 0.15 or above upgrades the charge to a Class A misdemeanor. DWI with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony under Section 49.045, carrying 180 days to 2 years in state jail plus up to $10,000 in fines. Wheeler County courts handle all of these cases under the same state statutes that apply statewide.

For crash-related DWI cases, TxDOT maintains peace officer crash reports (CR-3). Involved parties can buy a copy for $6 regular or $8 certified through the CRIS online request system. TxDOT keeps crash records for 10 years. All requests now go through the online system since TxDOT stopped accepting mail subpoenas in January 2025.

Note: Impaired driving laws in Texas extend to boats and aircraft as well. Boating while intoxicated (BWI) and flying while intoxicated (FWI) are covered under Section 49.06 and 49.065, and prior BWI or FWI convictions count as prior DWI offenses for enhancement purposes.

License Suspension After DWI Arrest in Wheeler County

Any DWI arrest in Wheeler County starts the Administrative License Revocation process with the Texas DPS. At the time of arrest, the officer takes the driver's physical license and provides a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension takes effect automatically. The ALR case runs separately from the criminal DWI case.

For adults 21 and over on a first offense: refusing a chemical test means a 180-day suspension. Failing the test at 0.08 or above means a 90-day suspension. A prior ALR action within 10 years doubles both periods. Winning the criminal case does not stop an ALR suspension from going through. To get a license back after suspension, DPS requires a $125 reinstatement fee. The ALR program operates under Transportation Code Chapter 524.

Drivers under 21 face a stricter standard. Under the zero tolerance law in Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041, any detectable alcohol in their system is a violation. A first offense DUI by minor is a Class C misdemeanor with mandatory community service and alcohol education classes, plus a 30-day license suspension.

Driving records can be ordered from dps.texas.gov. The Type 3A certified history is the most complete option and costs $10 online.

Nearby Counties

Wheeler County is in the Texas Panhandle near the Oklahoma border. Nearby counties in the region handle their own DWI cases separately.