Wise County DWI Records Search

Wise County DUI and DWI records are managed by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Decatur. As a growing county in the DFW metro's northwestern edge, Wise County sees a steady caseload of DWI arrests from US-380, US-287, and other major roads. This page covers how to access Wise County DWI records from court offices and related Texas state agencies.

Wise County District Clerk

The Wise County District Clerk handles all felony DWI records. Felony DWI cases include third offense and above, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15. Wise County has two district courts: the 271st and 415th District Courts, both sitting in Decatur. The District Clerk office is at the Wise County Courthouse on Main Street.

Case records show the charge, filing date, bond conditions, court assignments, hearings, and final outcome. Document copies are $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certified copies. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys through the statewide system. Staff can search by defendant name or case number. Felony DWI conviction records are kept permanently. Dismissed cases are kept for five years after dismissal.

Intoxication assault under Texas Penal Code Section 49.07 is a third-degree felony with 2 to 10 years in state prison. Intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08 is a second-degree felony with 2 to 20 years. Both are filed at the District Clerk level and tried in Wise County district courts. The 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth handles Wise County appeals. Decisions can be searched at txcourts.gov.

Wise County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI

The Wise County Clerk maintains all misdemeanor DWI records through the County Court at Law. First-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Section 49.04 with a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail. Second offense is a Class A misdemeanor with 30 days mandatory. A first offense with a BAC of 0.15 or above is elevated to Class A. The County Clerk office is at the Wise County Courthouse in Decatur.

Misdemeanor DWI records are available in person or by written request. Records show the charge, court dates, plea, and sentence. Staff can search by name or case number. All DWI convictions are retained permanently. For cases with limited online access, direct contact with the Clerk's office is the most reliable approach. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday.

DWI Enforcement in Wise County

DWI arrests in Wise County are handled by the Wise County Sheriff's Office, the Decatur Police Department, and Texas DPS troopers. US-380 and US-287 run through the county and see regular DPS enforcement. The Sheriff's Office handles unincorporated areas. All DWI arrests flow into the county court system for prosecution once charges are filed.

The Wise County Sheriff maintains booking records and arrest reports at the county jail. For report copies, contact the Sheriff's office directly. Report fees are typically around $5.00. Processing time varies. Video evidence from DWI arrests, including body cam or dash cam footage, can be requested under the Texas Public Information Act. Requests to DPS can be submitted by email to publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or through the DPS public information portal.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Wise County are handled by TxDOT. Officers submit the CR-3 crash report within 10 days for crashes with injury or significant property damage. Reports can be purchased through TxDOT's CRIS system for $6 (standard) or $8 (certified).

License Suspension After a DWI Arrest

After a DWI arrest in Wise County, Texas DPS initiates the Administrative License Revocation process. The arresting officer takes the driver's physical license and gives them a 40-day temporary permit. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing. Failing to do so means the suspension is automatic. The process runs under Transportation Code Chapter 524.

For a first offense, refusing a chemical test brings a 180-day suspension. Failing the test at 0.08 or above brings 90 days. Prior ALR suspensions within 10 years double both periods. A $125 reinstatement fee is required before DPS issues a new license. Driving records are available at dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22. The certified Type 3A record costs $10 online and is most often needed for legal proceedings.

Note: An ALR suspension in Wise County can stand even if the criminal DWI charges are later dismissed. The two proceedings are separate and have different legal standards.

Texas DWI Law and Wise County Cases

Wise County courts apply Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 to all DWI prosecutions. The base first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. The open container enhancement lifts the minimum jail time from 72 hours to six days for a first offense. A third DWI under Section 49.09 is a third-degree felony, carrying 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

DWI with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony under Section 49.045. That charge carries 180 days to 2 years in state jail plus up to $10,000 fine. It is filed at the District Clerk level and always treated as a felony regardless of prior history. Wise County DWI records include filings, bond conditions, hearings, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. Dismissed cases are kept five years. Deferred adjudication records are kept two years. Convictions are permanent.

Criminal history data for Wise County residents is available through DPS Crime Records Services. Public conviction data can be accessed online. Fingerprint-based personal history requests are also available for a fee. The state also maintains separate Alcoholic Beverage Code provisions that affect alcohol service and can relate to some DWI cases involving bars or restaurants.

Texas DPS Records and Wise County DWI

Texas DPS holds the statewide criminal history and driving record databases that include all Wise County DWI conviction data. The official DPS driver license portal provides driving record ordering and ALR status tools.

DPS criminal history for Wise County DWI cases can be accessed publicly through the conviction database or through personal history requests. All convictions from Wise County courts are reported to DPS and included in state records.

Nearby Counties

Wise County sits northwest of Fort Worth. Neighboring counties in the DFW area each run their own court systems for DWI cases.