Bell County, Texas · DWI
DWI in Bell County
What happens after a DWI arrest in Bell County, where your case will be heard and the deadlines that matter in your first days.
Where your case is handled
ALR hearing
Your DPS hearing office
Your hearing is handled by the DPS. Keep the notice of suspension you received. Request your hearing within 15 days of the arrest.
Your first days after an arrest
Request your ALR hearing
Within 15 days of the arrest, or your license is automatically suspended 40 days after the arrest.
Find your court date
Check your citation or release paperwork for your arraignment date and courthouse.
Write down what happened
The stop, the tests and what was said, while it's still fresh.
Talk to a DWI defense attorney
A local attorney can request the ALR hearing for you and review the stop.
Your license: two separate cases
A DWI arrest in Texas starts two cases: an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case with the Department of Public Safety and a criminal case. They're decided separately.
DPS · starts at arrest
ALR suspension
If you failed or refused a breath or blood test, DPS moves to suspend your license. Request an ALR hearing within 15 days of the arrest to challenge it.
If the suspension stands: 90 days for a failed test on a first offense, 1 year with a prior.
Court · starts when charged
Criminal case
A conviction brings its own suspension, shown in the penalties table on this page.
An occupational license may let you drive to work, school and essential errands, usually with an interlock.
Texas DWI penalties
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense level | Class B misdemeanor (Class A at 0.15%+) | Class A misdemeanor | Third-degree felony |
| Jail or prison | 72 hours to 180 days (6 days minimum with an open container) | 30 days to 1 year | 2 to 10 years in prison |
| Fine | Up to $2,000 (up to $4,000 at 0.15%+) | Up to $4,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| License suspension (court) | 90 days to 1 year | 180 days to 2 years | 180 days to 2 years |
| Ignition interlock | Required at 0.15%+; often a bond condition | Required | Required on probation |
First offense
- Offense level
- Class B misdemeanor (Class A at 0.15%+)
- Jail or prison
- 72 hours to 180 days (6 days minimum with an open container)
- Fine
- Up to $2,000 (up to $4,000 at 0.15%+)
- License suspension (court)
- 90 days to 1 year
- Ignition interlock
- Required at 0.15%+; often a bond condition
Second offense
- Offense level
- Class A misdemeanor
- Jail or prison
- 30 days to 1 year
- Fine
- Up to $4,000
- License suspension (court)
- 180 days to 2 years
- Ignition interlock
- Required
Third offense
- Offense level
- Third-degree felony
- Jail or prison
- 2 to 10 years in prison
- Fine
- Up to $10,000
- License suspension (court)
- 180 days to 2 years
- Ignition interlock
- Required on probation
Bell County DWI FAQ
What happens after a DWI arrest in Bell County, Texas?
A DWI arrest in Texas starts two cases: an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case with the Department of Public Safety and a criminal case. They're decided separately. If you failed or refused a breath or blood test, DPS moves to suspend your license. Request an ALR hearing within 15 days of the arrest to challenge it. If you don't, your license is automatically suspended 40 days after the arrest. If your blood test result is mailed to you later, the deadline runs from that notice.
Where are DWI cases heard in Bell County?
The county seat of Bell County is Belton. Contact the Bell County Clerk of Court to confirm where your case will be heard.
Is my driver's license suspended after a DWI arrest in Bell County?
If you failed or refused a breath or blood test, DPS moves to suspend your license. Request an ALR hearing within 15 days of the arrest to challenge it. If the suspension stands: 90 days for a failed test on a first offense, 1 year with a prior. A conviction in the criminal case brings its own suspension: 90 days to 1 year for a first offense.
What are the penalties for a first DWI in Bell County?
Under Texas law, a first DWI carries: Offense level: Class B misdemeanor (Class A at 0.15%+). Jail or prison: 72 hours to 180 days (6 days minimum with an open container). Fine: Up to $2,000 (up to $4,000 at 0.15%+). License suspension (court): 90 days to 1 year. Ignition interlock: Required at 0.15%+; often a bond condition. On top of the fine, Texas adds a state traffic fine of $3,000 to $6,000 at sentencing, depending on your BAC and recent priors.
Do I have two separate cases after a DWI arrest in Bell County?
Yes. A DWI arrest in Texas starts two cases: an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case with the Department of Public Safety and a criminal case. They're decided separately. ALR suspension: If you failed or refused a breath or blood test, DPS moves to suspend your license. Request an ALR hearing within 15 days of the arrest to challenge it. Criminal case: A conviction brings its own suspension, shown in the penalties table on this page.