Yoakum County DUI and DWI Records

Yoakum County DUI and DWI records are maintained by the District Clerk and County Clerk in Plains. This small West Texas county near the New Mexico border handles DWI cases through its district and county courts in the county seat. This page explains where to find Yoakum County DWI records, how to request them, and what Texas state agencies provide related information.

Yoakum County District Clerk

The Yoakum County District Clerk handles felony DWI records through the 121st District Court. This court covers felony DWI cases including DWI third offense and above, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and DWI with a child passenger under 15. The District Clerk office is at the Yoakum County Courthouse in Plains.

Case files include the charge, filing date, bond conditions, hearing history, and final disposition. Document copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certified copies. E-filing is available through the state system for attorneys. Online records access in Yoakum County is very limited, so most requests require a direct call or in-person visit during business hours. All felony DWI conviction records are kept permanently.

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. DWI with a child under 15 is a state jail felony under Section 49.045. All three are filed at the District Clerk level and heard in the 121st District Court.

Yoakum County Clerk - Misdemeanor DWI

The Yoakum County Clerk manages all misdemeanor DWI records through the County Court. First-offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor under Section 49.04 with a mandatory 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. The County Clerk office is at the Yoakum County Courthouse in Plains.

Records are available in person or by written request. Files include the charge, arrest date, court dates, plea, and sentence. All DWI convictions are kept permanently. Yoakum County has limited or no online records portal for misdemeanor cases, so calling or visiting the clerk's office is the most direct approach. Staff can search by name or case number during regular hours.

DWI Arrests in Yoakum County

DWI arrests in Yoakum County are made by the Yoakum County Sheriff's Office, the Plains Police Department, and Texas DPS troopers. The county sits along US-82, US-380, and other state roads that see regular DPS enforcement. DPS Highway Patrol patrols these corridors and generates a portion of DWI arrests in the county each year.

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail booking data. For copies of incident or arrest reports, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Report fees are typically $5.00. Processing times vary by office. Dash cam or body cam footage can be requested through formal public information requests. DPS records can be requested by emailing publicrecords@dps.texas.gov or through the DPS public information portal.

Crash reports from DWI accidents are handled through TxDOT's CRIS system. Standard reports cost $6. Certified reports cost $8. TxDOT retains crash records for 10 years. All subpoena requests now go through CRIS online, as TxDOT no longer accepts mail requests as of January 2025.

Driver License Suspension After DWI

Any DWI arrest in Yoakum County triggers the Texas DPS Administrative License Revocation process. The 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 or the suspension becomes automatic. This civil process runs under Transportation Code Chapter 524 and is handled separately from the criminal case.

Refusing a chemical test leads to a 180-day suspension for a first offense adult. Failing the test at 0.08 or above brings 90 days. Prior ALR suspensions within 10 years double both periods. Drivers under 21 face stricter rules with any detectable alcohol. A $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to DPS before a new license is issued. Driving records can be ordered at dps.texas.gov for $4 to $22. The Type 3A certified record costs $10 online.

Note: An ALR suspension is separate from the criminal case. Even if DWI charges are dropped or dismissed in Yoakum County court, the license suspension may still apply unless the ALR hearing was won independently.

DWI Law and Records in Yoakum County

Yoakum County courts apply Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 to all DWI cases. The base first offense under Section 49.04 is a Class B misdemeanor. Open container in the vehicle raises the minimum from 72 hours to six days. A third DWI under Section 49.09 is a third-degree felony carrying 2 to 10 years. Prior DWI, BWI, and FWI convictions all count toward the enhancement.

Yoakum 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. Conviction records are permanent. Appellate records for Yoakum County cases go through the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo, searchable at txcourts.gov. Statewide DWI criminal history is accessible through DPS Crime Records Services. Public conviction data is available online through DPS without requiring a full background check request.

Texas State Records and Yoakum County

Texas DPS maintains driving records and criminal history data for all Yoakum County DWI cases. The official Penal Code Chapter 49 page is the starting point for understanding the laws applied in Yoakum County DWI prosecutions.

Conviction records and driving history for Yoakum County residents can be accessed through the DPS online portal. All DWI convictions from Yoakum County courts are reported to DPS and added to the statewide criminal history database.

Nearby Counties

Yoakum County is on the Texas High Plains near the New Mexico state line. Neighboring counties in this area manage their own DWI case records and courts.