Winkler County DUI and DWI Records

Winkler County DUI and DWI records are held by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Kermit. The county lies in West Texas near the New Mexico border in the Permian Basin oil fields. DWI cases here go through the 143rd District Court, which Winkler County shares with Ward County. This page explains where to find those records and how to request them.

Winkler County District Clerk

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

The District Clerk office is at 100 E. Winkler Street in Kermit and can be reached at (432) 586-3401. Case records include the charge, filing date, bond information, hearing history, and final disposition. Document copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification. E-filing is available through the state system. Online access to records is very limited, so most requests require a direct call or visit during business hours. Felony conviction records are kept permanently under state rules.

Intoxication assault under Texas Penal Code Section 49.07 carries 2 to 10 years in prison. Intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08 carries 2 to 20 years. Both are filed at the District Clerk level. DWI with a child passenger is a state jail felony under Section 49.045, carrying 180 days to 2 years in state jail.

Winkler County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Winkler County Clerk at 100 E. Winkler Street manages all misdemeanor DWI records through the County Court at Law. Phone is (432) 586-3403. First-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Section 49.04 with a 72-hour minimum jail term. Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with 30 days mandatory minimum. A first offense with a BAC of 0.15 or above is elevated to Class A.

All services are in person or by written request. Records include charge, arrest date, court hearings, plea, and sentence. The County Court at Law in Kermit handles all misdemeanor DWI matters. There is no meaningful online portal for misdemeanor records here, so calls or visits to the courthouse are needed. All DWI conviction records, even misdemeanor ones, are kept permanently by state policy.

DWI Arrests in Winkler County

DWI arrests in Winkler County are handled by the Winkler County Sheriff's Office, the Kermit Police Department, and Texas DPS troopers. The county sits near SH-302 and US-302, and DPS runs enforcement along those roads. Highway stops on the way to and from oil field work sites account for a portion of DWI arrests in the county.

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail booking information. For copies of arrest reports or incident reports, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Report fees are typically $5.00. Written requests by mail are accepted. Dash cam or body cam footage from DWI arrests can be requested through a formal public information request under the Texas Public Information Act. Requests to DPS can be submitted by email to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or through the DPS portal.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Winkler County are filed with TxDOT. Those can be purchased for $6 (standard) or $8 (certified) through TxDOT's CRIS Request system. As of January 2025, TxDOT no longer accepts subpoena requests by mail.

License Suspension After DWI in Winkler County

A DWI arrest in Winkler County triggers the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation process. The arresting officer takes the driver's physical license and provides a 40-day temporary permit. The driver has only 15 days to request an ALR hearing or the suspension becomes final. This process is governed by Transportation Code Chapter 524 and is handled separately from the criminal case in court.

For a first offense, refusing a chemical test leads to 180 days suspended. 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 getting a new license. Driving records can be ordered at dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22 depending on record type.

DWI Law and Winkler County Court Records

Winkler County applies Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 to all DWI cases. The standard first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. The open container enhancement raises the minimum jail time to six days for a first offense. A third DWI under Section 49.09 is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in state prison.

Winkler County DWI records reflect the complete case history: charge, bond, court hearings, plea, verdict, and sentence. Dismissed cases are kept five years. Deferred adjudication records are kept two years after discharge. Conviction records are permanent. Appellate records for Winkler County cases go through the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso, accessible at txcourts.gov. Statewide criminal history including Winkler County DWI convictions is available through DPS Crime Records Services.

Note: Oil field workers commuting in Winkler County may face enhanced DWI enforcement given DPS commercial vehicle oversight on state highways through the region.

State Records and Winkler County DWI

Texas DPS maintains the official driving and criminal history records for Winkler County residents. The Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 statutes page shows the exact DWI laws applied in all Winkler County cases.

DPS criminal history and driving records for Winkler County are accessible through the official state portal. All DWI convictions are reported by local courts to DPS and appear in the statewide database.

Nearby Counties

Winkler County is in the far west Permian Basin, bordered by New Mexico to the west. Neighboring Texas counties each handle DWI cases through their own court systems.