DWI Records in Wood County

Wood County DUI and DWI records are held by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Quitman. The county sits in East Texas along US-69 and SH-37, and DWI arrests here come from both highway patrols and local enforcement. This page covers the offices that hold DWI case files, how to request them, and what related resources are available through the state of Texas.

Wood County District Clerk

The Wood County District Clerk maintains all felony DWI records in the county. The 402nd District Court in Quitman handles felony cases, including DWI third or more, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15. The District Clerk office is at the Wood County Courthouse on Cole Street in Quitman.

Case records show the charge, filing date, bond information, court hearings, and final outcome. Document copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $5.00. E-filing is available for attorneys through the statewide Texas system. Online case access may be limited, so contacting the clerk's office directly is often necessary. Felony conviction records are kept permanently under Texas state retention schedules.

Intoxication assault under Texas Penal Code Section 49.07 is a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter under Section 49.08 is a second-degree felony. Both are filed at the District Clerk level. DWI with a child passenger under Section 49.045 is a state jail felony. All of these records stay at the Wood County District Clerk permanently.

Wood County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI Records

The Wood County Clerk manages all misdemeanor DWI records through the County Court at Law. 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 a 30-day mandatory minimum. A first offense with a BAC of 0.15 or above is elevated to Class A. The County Clerk office is also at the courthouse in Quitman.

Records include charge, arrest date, court hearings, plea, and sentence. All DWI convictions, including misdemeanors, are kept permanently. Access is available in person or by written request. Staff can search by name or case number. Wood County may have limited online access for misdemeanor records, so direct contact is often the most effective route.

DWI Arrests and Enforcement in Wood County

DWI arrests in Wood County are handled by the Wood County Sheriff's Office, local police departments like the Mineola Police Department, and Texas DPS troopers. The county includes several smaller cities like Mineola, Winnsboro, and Hawkins. Each law enforcement agency maintains its own arrest and incident records, which then feed into the county court system for prosecution.

For arrest report copies, contact the relevant agency directly. The Sheriff's Office handles arrests in unincorporated parts of Wood County. Report fees are generally $5.00. Processing times vary. Written mail requests are accepted. Video from DWI arrests, including dash or body cam footage, can be requested through formal public information requests. For DPS arrest records, email publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or use the DPS public information portal.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Wood County go to TxDOT. Officers must submit crash reports within 10 days for injury, death, or $1,000-plus damage. Reports can be purchased through the CRIS online system for $6 (standard) or $8 (certified). Subpoena requests must now go through CRIS as well since TxDOT stopped accepting mail requests in January 2025.

License Suspension in Wood County

A DWI arrest in Wood County triggers the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation process right away. The officer takes the driver's physical license and provides a 40-day temporary permit. The driver has 15 days to request an ALR hearing or the suspension takes effect automatically. The ALR program operates under Transportation Code Chapter 524 and is separate from the criminal DWI case.

Refusing a chemical test leads to a 180-day suspension for a first offense. 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 type. The certified Type 3A record costs $10 online.

Texas DWI Law in Wood County Courts

Wood County courts apply 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 from 72 hours to six days. A third DWI is a third-degree felony under Section 49.09, carrying 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Wood County DWI records include charge filings, bond details, court hearings, pleas, verdicts, 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 Wood County DWI cases go through the 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler. You can search those at txcourts.gov. Statewide criminal history data is maintained by DPS Crime Records Services and includes all Wood County DWI convictions.

Note: Mineola, the largest city in Wood County, sees more DWI arrests than Quitman in most years. Cases from Mineola still go through the Wood County court system in Quitman regardless of where the arrest occurred.

Texas DPS and Wood County DWI Records

Texas DPS maintains driving records and criminal history for all Wood County DWI cases. The official Penal Code Chapter 49 statutes page is the source for DWI law in Wood County prosecutions.

All Wood County DWI conviction records are reported to DPS and added to the statewide database. Driving records and criminal history reports for Wood County residents are available through the DPS online portal.

Nearby Counties

Wood County is in the Piney Woods region of East Texas. Neighboring counties each handle DWI cases through their own court systems.