If you’re asking yourself how to find DWI records, chances are you’re dealing with a situation that calls for accurate and timely legal information. Whether you’re an employer doing a background check, a concerned family member, a journalist, or someone researching their own case, knowing how to access public DWI records can be crucial. But finding those records isn’t always as easy as typing a name into Google.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore where and how to find DWI records, what they contain, and how different states handle access. Along the way, we’ll use real-life examples and clear, no-fluff advice to help you avoid the most common mistakes. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to go, what to ask for, and how to interpret the information you uncover.

Let’s break it down.

What Are DWI Records and Why Do They Matter?

Before diving into how to find DWI records, it’s important to understand what they are. A DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) record is part of the public criminal record associated with someone who has been arrested, charged, or convicted of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

These records can include:

• Arrest reports
• Court filings and outcomes
• License suspension or revocation history
• Sentencing details
• Probation status or conditions
• Diversion program participation

DWI records matter because they follow people across job applications, housing screenings, and sometimes even custody disputes. They’re more than just paperwork—they’re part of someone’s legal identity.

Real-Life Example: The Employer Who Got Burned

Imagine you run a small trucking company in Texas. You’re hiring a new driver, and on the surface, their résumé looks perfect—great references, spotless driving history (or so you thought). A few months in, the driver gets pulled over and arrested for DWI. That’s when you learn he had a prior DWI in another county that never showed up on your initial background check.

Had you known how to find DWI records from multiple jurisdictions, you might have saved your business from an expensive lawsuit and a spike in insurance premiums.

Are DWI Records Public?

Yes, in most states, DWI records are considered public records, meaning anyone can request them. But there’s a catch: how accessible they are depends on local rules, privacy laws, and whether the case was sealed, expunged, or dismissed.

States Where Access Is Easier

• Texas
• Florida
• California
• New York

In these states, court systems provide online portals or databases that allow public searches. But even in these jurisdictions, records can sometimes be incomplete or require requests through county clerks.

States With Tighter Privacy Laws

• Georgia
• Massachusetts
• Washington

These states restrict some court data and may require a formal request or payment to view or obtain documents.

So when considering how to find DWI records, always start with knowing the rules of the state—and sometimes even the county—where the case occurred.

Step 1: Identify Where the Arrest Took Place

The first and most important step in how to find DWI records is figuring out where the incident occurred. DWI records are typically stored at the county level, not statewide. So unless the arresting agency was a state police unit, you’re looking for records in a particular county court or sheriff’s department.

Ask yourself:

• Was the arrest made by a city or county police department?
• What city or town did the incident occur in?
• What county does that location fall under?

Once you have that, you’ll know which jurisdiction to search.

Step 2: Start With the County Clerk or Court Website

Once you know the location, go straight to the county clerk’s website or the county court handling criminal matters. Many local court websites allow you to search by:

• Name
• Case number (if known)
• Date range
• Offense type

Look specifically for a criminal case search portal or public access records system. These tools often provide limited access, such as:

• Case status (open/closed)
• Charges filed
• Court dates and outcomes
• Fines and sentencing

Some websites even let you view scanned copies of official documents.

Helpful Tip

If you can’t find the online search tool, call the clerk’s office and ask: “How can I access DWI records for your county?” They’ll often walk you through the process or email you the right form.

Step 3: Check Statewide Judicial or DPS Portals

Some states offer broader tools through their Department of Public Safety (DPS) or unified court systems. For example:

• Texas DPS has a Criminal History Search for public records (small fee applies)
• New York Unified Court System offers e Courts for tracking criminal cases
• Florida’s Clerk Net allows online access to court dockets

These systems can help you find DWI records even when you don’t know the specific court. But remember, they may not include arrest-level information—just court-level filings.

Step 4: Use Third-Party Background Check Services (With Caution)

You’ve probably seen ads for online services that promise to pull a full criminal background for $19.99. Some of them do provide helpful information, but they come with caveats.

Pros:

• Fast search tools across multiple jurisdictions
• Useful when you don’t know the location of the DWI
• Often include traffic records, license history, and more

Cons:

• Not always accurate or up to date
• May not reflect dismissed or expunged charges
• Often miss data from smaller counties or sealed court records
• Results may not hold up in court or official investigations

If you’re going this route, choose a service that clearly states its data sources and includes access to court filings.

Step 5: Request Records in Person (If Needed)

In some rural counties or smaller courts, online access is limited or nonexistent. In that case, your next move in how to find DWI records is visiting the court or clerk’s office in person. While it may take more effort, it often yields the most accurate and official information.

Be prepared to:

• Show ID
• Pay a small record request fee
• Fill out a formal request form
• Wait several days (or longer) for processing

This may feel old-school, but it’s often the only way to get official, certified copies of DWI records for court or employment purposes. Staff members can also guide you through the paperwork if you’re unsure what to request.

Step 6: Consider FOIA or Public Records Requests

If the record you’re looking for isn’t available online or in person, your last resort might be filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request or a state-level public records request. These legal tools are designed to promote transparency and ensure access to public government data.

This works best when:

• You need arrest records from a police department
• You want details of a case not available through court records
• You’re a journalist or researcher looking for patterns in DWI enforcement

Most agencies will provide the necessary form on their websites, along with instructions for submission. Just be aware that some requests may take weeks to fulfill, depending on the agency’s backlog or staffing.

Real-Life Example: The Family Member Looking for Closure

Carmen’s father had passed away suddenly, and she suspected unresolved legal issues. She wanted to know if he had any active DWI charges that could affect his estate. By starting with his home county court, then checking DPS records, Carmen discovered an outstanding warrant from a DWI five years earlier. The probate attorney was able to clear it before proceeding with the estate.

If Carmen hadn’t known how to find DWI records, the process could have stalled for months.

What You Can—and Can’t—Do With DWI Records

Once you access DWI records, it’s important to know how you can legally use them.

You Can:

• Verify information during tenant screening (with consent)
• Run background checks for employment (with written permission)
• Use records in legal proceedings
• Access your own DWI history for expungement

You Can’t:

• Use records to discriminate illegally in housing or hiring
• Publicly post someone’s criminal record with malicious intent
• Pretend to be law enforcement to access restricted databases

Respect for privacy and proper use matters—even when the information is technically public.

Expunged or Sealed Records: Can You Still Find Them?

No—if a DWI case has been expunged or sealed, it’s essentially erased from public access. That means:

• It won’t appear in online databases
• It can’t be used by employers or landlords
• It’s illegal to disclose without a court order

If you’re trying to check your own history, contact the court that handled the case and ask if expungement was granted. If you’re eligible and haven’t filed yet, it might be worth exploring.

Final Thoughts: Why Knowing How to Find DWI Records Matters

Understanding how to find DWI records is about more than just uncovering legal paperwork. It’s about due diligence, protecting your family, your business, and sometimes even your future.

Whether you’re screening someone for a job, clearing your own name, or helping a loved one move on from a past mistake, these records can be powerful tools—when used responsibly. The process may take some digging, but with the right approach, the answers are usually within reach.

Take your time, follow the steps, and when in doubt, ask questions. In the world of public records, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s peace of mind.