Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid arrested on DWI charge after DPS traffic stop

By Menda Eulenfeld, STCN - Updated January 10, 2026, 8:25am

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS - On January 9, 2026, Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid just after 6 p.m. on southbound U.S. Highway 77 near County Road 2180 for driving without headlights when required.

Kleberg County Judge, Rudy Madrid.

The trooper reported the odor of an alcoholic beverage and administered standardized field sobriety tests at the scene. DPS officials said Madrid completed the horizontal gaze nystagmus test but refused to perform the other two tests.

Authorities said Madrid was read the implied consent warning and refused to provide a breath or blood specimen. A search warrant was later obtained to conduct a blood draw at Spohn Kleberg Hospital as part of the investigation.

Madrid was taken into custody and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was held at the Kleberg County Detention Center and later released at 2 am on January 10, 2026.

Rudy Madrid Photo updated on 1/10/2026

Kleberg County Sheriff’s office.