travis county dwi guide - the law office of rob chesnutt€¦ · your lawyer can request this...

TravisCountyDWIGuide

WHATTOEXPECTWHENCHARGEDWITHMISDEMEANORDWI

ATTORNEYROBCHESNUTT

ATXCRIMINALDEFENSE.COM

512-677-5003

TableofContents

I. HowToUseThisGuide

II. JailRelease

III. Driver’sLicense

IV. ConditionsofRelease

V. DiscoveryandPleanegotiations

VI. JuryTrial

VII. Consequences/Penalties

VIII. Outcomes

IX. CriminalHistory

X. FinancialimpactofaDWI

XI. HelpfulwebsitesandContactinformation

XII. AbouttheAuthor

HowtoUsetheGuide

Whatthisguideisandisn’t.

ThisguideisspecificallytailoredformisdemeanorDWIsinTravisCounty.Itis

NOTmeantasasubstituteforhiringanattorney.Itisnotlegaladvice.Whileitis

tailoredforDWImisdemeanorsinTravisCounty,eachcaseisdifferent.Theexpectations

setbythisguidemaybeverydifferentthanwhatwillhappeninyourcase.Ihighly

recommendthatyouspeakwithanattorneyassoonaspossibleafterbeingchargedwith

DWI.

Becauseeachcountyisdifferent,itisnotmeantasaguideinothercounties.

Therewillbesomeoverlap,buteachcounty’sjudges,juriesandprosecutorshavetheir

ownwayofhandlingcases.Itcannotbeassumedthattheyhandleitthesamewayas

TravisCounty.EveninTravisCounty,customswillinvariablychangeovertime.This

guidewascreatedinDecember2018,andwillbeupdatedperiodically.

ThisisnotmeantasaguideforfelonyDWIs.Insomecases,aDWIischargedasa

felony(forexampleiftherewerechildreninthevehicle,orifyouhavepreviouslybeen

convictedofaDWItwoormoretimespreviously.)FelonyDWIsareoutsidethescopeof

thisguide.

WhatthisguideISintendedtodoistogiveanideaastowhattheentireprocess

willbelike.Formany,aDWIistheirfirstexperiencewiththecriminaljusticesystem.

Manyhavenoideawhattheexpectationsare.Hopefully,thisguidewilleliminatethe

mysteryandalleviatesomeofthestressthatisassociatedwiththeunknown.Itisalso

intendedasanintroductiontomylawoffice,andtheservicesthatwecanprovideasyour

criminaldefenseattorney,shouldyoudecidetohireus.Wearealwaysaphonecallaway:

24/7forjailrelease,orduringbusinesshourstosetupafreeconsultation.512-677-

5003.

JailRelease

Ofcourse,thefirststepafterbeingarrestedisthejailrelease.Inmanycases,

misdemeanorDWIarresteeswillqualifyforaPersonalRecognizanceBondandbe

releasedthenextday.Ifthat’sthecaseforyou,skipaheadtothenextsection.However,

ifyouhaveafriendorlovedcurrentlyinjail,thenreadon.

Thereareanumberofwaysanattorneycanhelpspeedajailrelease.First,an

attorneycan“waivemagistration”andgetyoureleased2-6hourssoonerthanyoucould

withoutanattorney.Everyonewhoisarrestedmustgoinfrontofamagistratejudgewho

willdeterminewhetherprobablecauseexistsforthearrest,andinsomecases,setbond.

InTravisCounty,thiswillusuallyhappensometimethenextmorning.Everyonewhowas

arrestedovernightwillbemagistratearoundthesametime.Byhiringanattorney,you

canskipthismagistrationprocessandgetouthourssooner.Thiscanbeessentialifyou

needtobereleasedtomakeittoworkontimeorattendtootherresponsibilities.Of

course,it’salwaysnicetogetoutofjailsooner,becauseeveryhourcanfeellikean

eternity.

Second,noteveryoneautomaticallyqualifiesforaPRbond.OccasionallyPretrial

ServicesdoesnotOKaPRbondforaDWImisdemeanor.Thiscouldbeduetoacriminal

history,thecircumstancesofthearrest,oraninabilitytoverifyreferences.Inthesecases,

anattorneywillhelpyougetreleaseddaysorweekssoonerthanyouwouldwithout

representation.

Weunderstandthateveryminutespentincustodyistoolong.Ifafriendorloved

onehasbeenarrested,call512-677-5003anytimeforajailrelease.Messagesleftafter

businesshourswillbereturnedquickly.Anyfeesspentonjailreleasewillbeapplied

directlytoattorneyfees.

Driver’sLicense

ADWImesseswithyourlifeinalotofways,andonebigwayiswithyourDriver’s

License.Itcanbeconfusingwhentryingtofigureoutwhatyouroptionsare,butmost

peopleareallowedtocontinuedriving.

LicenseConfiscation

Ifyourefusedorfailedthebreathtest,it’slikelythatthepoliceconfiscatedyour

driver’slicense.Manypeoplethinkthismeansthattheirlicenseisalreadysuspended,but

thisisNOTthecase.However,itwillbesuspendedautomatically,40daysafteryour

arrest,ifyoudon’ttakeaction.

ALRHearing

Youhave15daysfromyourarresttorequestanAdministrativeLicenseRevocation

Hearing(ALRhearing).Thisisastrictdeadlineandifyoumissit,yourlicensewillbe

AUTOMATICALLYsuspendedafter40days.

TheALRhearingisacivilmatterthatisseparate,butrelatedtothecriminal

charges.Yourlawyercanrequestthishearingforyou.Ifyoudonothavealawyer,youcan

requestyourhearingbelow,andmakesuretosavetheemailconfirmationyoureceivein

caseDPSlosesyourrequest.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/customer_service/alr.aspx

RequestinganALRhearingaccomplishesthreethings.

1) YouforcethestatetoshowprobablecauseforyourDWIarrest.Theyalsomust

provethattheyreadthestatutorywarningtoyoucorrectly,andthatyouactually

didrefuseorfailthebreathtest.Iftheycannotshowbothofthesethings,your

licensewillnotbesuspended.Inreality,theseareusuallyeasyforthestateto

show,buttheALRhearingisstillworthwhile,forthereasonsbelow.

2) Youcansubpoenaandquestionthelawenforcementofficerwhoarrestedyouand

conductedtheDWIinvestigation.Iftheofficerthatconductedtheinitialstopis

differentfromtheofficerconductingtheDWIinvestigation,youcansubpoena

bothofficers.Questioningtheofficersisaformofdiscovery.Youcanpindown

theofficertocertaintestimonyandfindoutmoreaboutwhathappenedfromthe

officer’sperspective.Youcanseehowtheofficerperformsunderexamination.

Theinformationyougathercansometimeshelpwithpretrialmotionsorthetrial

phaseofthecriminalcase.

3) Youcanbuyyourselfsometimetosortoutyourdriver’slicense.Mostofusrely

onourabilitytodriveinourdailylife.Ifthatrightisgoingtobetakenaway,we

needtoplanforit.Youcaneithermakearrangementsforothermodesof

transportationoracquireanOccupationalLicense(discussednext).Byrequesting

anALRhearing,youbuyyourselfatleastamonthortwo.Additionally,youare

entitledtoonecontinuancetosetthehearingoffforanothermonthorso.This

willgiveyouthetimeyouneedtomakeotherarrangementsandprepareforan

ODLifnecessary.

TheOccupationalLicense(ODL)

Ifallgoesasexpected,yourlicensewillusuallybesuspendedanyway.Oncethat

happens,youcanapplyforanOccupationalLicense,whichlooksandfunctionsalmost

exactlylikearegulardriverslicense,withafewexceptions.Youcanonlydriveinthe

countiesyourequest,andyoucanonlydrivefora12-hoursperday(usuallysomethinglike

8:00AMto8:00PM,butthiscanbeflexible.)Youcanonlydriveforcertainpurposes,

suchaswork,householdduties,church,etc.Thesereasonscanbeflexibleaswell,but

can’tusuallyextendthosehoursto6thstreetlateonaFridaynight.

DoIqualifyforanODL?

Toqualify,youcannothavehadmorethan2ODLsoverthepast10years.Yourlicense

alsocannotbesuspendedduetoamedicalreasonthatpreventsyoufromdriving.Most

peoplechargedwithaDWIwillqualifyforanODL.Youcancheckwhetheryouare

eligibleatthefollowingwebsite:

https://txapps.texas.gov/txapp/txdps/dleligibility/login.do

WhatdoIneedtodoformyODL?

Youdon’tneedanattorneytohandleyourODLpetition.However,ifyouhavehired

ustohandleyourDWI,weoffersteepdiscountsfortheODL.You(oryourattorney)will

needtopreparethefollowingdocumentswhenapplyingforyourODL:

Petitionandproposedorder

Thisisapetitionthatyoufilewiththecourt.IfyouarechargedwithaDWI,it

mustbefiledinthecourtwhereyourDWIispending(eventhoughitisacivilmatteritis

filedincriminalcourt.)

Drivingrecord(TypeAR-$20fee)

Youmustorderacertifiedabstractofyourdrivingrecord.Ifyouknowyouaudit

number,youcanrequestthisonline.Theauditnumberisatwentydigitnumberthat

runseitheralongthebottomorthephotosideofyourDL.Thewebaddresstoorderyour

licenseis:

https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txldrcdr/TXDPSLicenseeManager

Mostpeopledon’tknowtheirauditnumberbyheart.Inthatcase,youcanonly

orderyourdriversrecordbyregularmail.Itcantakeafewweeks,soitisbesttoorder

yourdrivingrecordbeforeyourlicenseissuspended.Youcangettheformtoorderyour

drivingrecordhere:

http://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/DR-1.pdf

SR-22

TheSR-22isadocumentprovidedbyyourinsurancecompany.Itsimplyconfirms

thatyouhavevalidliabilityinsurance,butcourtswillnotacceptthestandardproofof

insurancethatyoukeepinyourglovebox.IthastobeanSR-22.Notallinsurance

companiesprovideanSR-22.Sometimes,youhavetoswitchcompanies.Someinsurance

companiesalsochargeasmallfeeforprovidingyouthedocument.Youshouldcontact

yourinsurancecarriertofindouttheirpolicyonprovidingthis.Beawarethatthisinquiry

canleadthemtoraiseyourates.

Fees

YoumustpaythefollowingfeesforyourODL:.

1)Filingfeewiththecourt($272)

2)DPSReinstatementfee(usually$125,butcanbemoreinsome

circumstances)

3)CertifiedCopiesofthepetitionandorder(approximately$35)

4)ODLfee($20)

5)Ifyouhaveoutstandingsurcharges,youDONOTneedtopaythese

beforebeinggrantedyourODL

AlthoughwehandleODLsforaflatfeeof$1,000(includingcourtfees),weoffera

significantdiscountifyouhireusforyouDWI.Call512-677-5003todiscussyourdriver’s

licenseissues.

ConditionsofRelease

WhenyouarereleasedfromjailafterbeingarrestedonDWI,youare“onbond”.Usually,thisisaPRbond,andsometimesthesebondshaveconditions.WhenitcomestoDWI,themostcommonconditionsisanIgnitionInterlockDevice(IID),drugoralcoholclassesthroughTravisCountyCounselingandEducationServices(CES),andaMADDVictimImpactPanel.Ofcourseyoumustalsoattendcourtsettingsasoutlinedbelow.

CourtDates

InTravisCounty,yourcourtdateswillbeattheBlackwell-ThurmanJusticeCenter.YouwillbeassignedtooneoftheCountyCourts,andyourcasewillbeatthesamecourteverytime.Mostcourtsopenat9:00AM.Youcanlookupyourcourtdatesatthefollowingwebsite:

https://publiccourts.traviscountytx.gov/dsa/#/

Ifyoudon’thaveanattorneyyouwillneedtocheckinwiththebailiffandbegivenpermissionbeforeyouleave.Onebigadvantageofhiringanattorneyearlyintheprocessisthatyourrepresentativecanhandleyourearlycourtsettings.InmostTravisCountycourts,youwillnotneedtoattendyourcourtdateforthefirst3-4monthsifyouhaveanattorney.Duringthistime,yourattorneywillcollectdiscovery(evidence)andbegindiscussionswiththeprosecutor.

IgnitionInterlockDevice(IID)

AnIIDisadevicethatisinstalledinyourvehiclewhereyoumust“blowclean”todrive(thatis–havenoalcoholonyourbreath).It’snotalwaysrequiredforfirst-timeDWIs,butajudgemayorderanIIDasapretrialconditionifthefactsofyourcasearebad(highBAC,accident,etc.).AjudgewillalwaysorderanIIDforasecondDWI(whentherehasbeenapreviousconviction).

YouwillhaveacertainnumberofdaystoinstalltheIID(usually21days,butthiscanbechangedbythejudge),andyoumustsetupanappointmentwithoneofthelocalvendorsthatarecertifiedtoinstalltheIID.Althoughthecostsdifferslightlybetweenvendors,theIIDwillhaveaninstallationfeeofaround$100,alongwithamonthlyfeeofabout$65.Youarealsorequiredto“calibrate”yourdeviceonceamonth.Calibrationmeansyoutakeyourvehicletothevendorandtheycheckforviolations.

Thedevicecanoccasionallycauseproblemsonceinstalledinyourvehicle.Itwillsometimesdrainyourcarbattery.Itcanalsogivefalsepositivesifyouhaveusedmouthwashrecently,orinsomeothercircumstances.Ifyougetafalsepositive,itisagoodideatotryagaininafewminutes.However,youwillnotbeabletostartyourcarbeforetoblow“clean”.Ifyouhaveseveralviolations,aPretrialOfficermightapplytorevokeyourbond.

IIDalternatives–PAMandSCRAM

PAM(PortableAlcoholMonitoringDevice)

APAMisasmallhandhelddevicethatyoumustblowcleansamplesintoatcertaintimesoftheday.Thisisusuallyonlyavailableifthedefendantsignsanaffidavitpromisingnottodriveanyvehicle.Forseveralreasons,IonlyrecommendPAMwhenanIIDisnotanoption.

First,PAMismoreexpensivethananIID.Second,theIIDismoreforgivingbecauseifyou“slipup”andhavealcohol,justdon’tgetbehindthewheelandyou’reok.Third,ittendstoleadtomoreviolationsduetosimplyforgettingtoblowon-schedule.Soforthosereasons,IalwaysrecommendanIID.Butsometimes,thatoptionisnotopen,soPAMbecomesnecessary.

SCRAM(SecureContinuousRemoteAlcoholMonitoring)

Inextremecases,judgeswillsometimesorderSCRAM.SCRAMisthemostintrusiveandexpensiveoption,soit’stobeavoidedifatallpossible.ASCRAMdeviceisananklebraceletthattakesanalcoholreadingfromtheevaporationonyourskin.Itcostsapproximately$360permonth.Itcanalsocauseskinirritationandcanbeunwieldy.Ithastostayonatalltimes–whenyougotoworkandtosleepandshower.JudgeswillusuallyonlyorderSCRAMonfelonyDWIs,oraftermultipleviolationsonIID.IfaSCRAMdeviceisordered,itcanoftenberemovedifyouremainviolation-freefor90daysorso.

Classes–CESandMADDVIP

TravisCountyCounselingandEducationServices(CES)

Website:https://www.traviscountytx.gov/counseling-education/classes/alcohol

TravisCESprovidesavarietyofclassesforthosechargedwithacrime.ForDWI’s,thetypicalclassesarean8-hourclassforBmisdemeanorsora15-hourclassforAmisdemeanors.Thesearein-personclassesthatyoucanscheduleforyourself,usuallyintheevenings.Unfortunately,internetclassesarenotusuallyavailable.Theseclassesareusuallyapartofanypleadealwiththeprosecutor,andifyoudoreceiveaconviction,itisnecessarytotakeaDWIclasstogetyourlicenseback.Soinshort,it’stoughtogetaroundtheseclassesifyou’vebeenarrestedforDWI.

TheMADDVictimImpactPanel

https://www.maddvip.org/listing/blackwell-thurman-criminal-justice-center/

TheMothersAgainstDrunkDrivingVIPisaforumwherepeoplewhohavebeenaffectedbyadrunkdriversharetheirstories.Previousclientshavetoldmethatit’sbeenaworthwhileexperience.TravisCountyputsonVictimImpactPanelstwiceamonthatthecourthouse.Youcanseetheupcomingscheduleandgetinformationonwhentoarriveandhowtopaythefeeatthewebsiteabove.LiketheDWIclasses,theMADDVIPislikelytobeapartofanypleaarrangementevenifnotrequiredasapretrialcondition.

DiscoveryandPleaNegotiations

InDWIcases,thediscoveryusuallyconsistsofthreemaincomponents.TheOffenseReport,theDashcamvideo,andBloodorbreathanalysis.Thecombinationoftheseelementswillhavealottosayaboutwhetheracaseisstrongorweakfortheprosecution.

TheOffenseReport

Thisreportpreparedbythearrestingofficerwillhaveanarrativeofwhatoccurredfromtheofficer’sprospective.Thiswillincludetheinitialstop,theDWIinvestigationandanyotherpertinentdetails.TheOffenseReportisusuallywritteninsuchawayastosupporttheprosecution.Itisimportanttocross-checktheveracityofthisreportwiththeotherevidenceinthecase,suchasthedashcamvideo

DashcamVideo

ThisvideoisthesinglemostimportantpieceofevidenceinmostDWIcases.ThevideowillusuallybeginafewsecondstominutesbeforethestopandwillcontinuethroughtheDWIinvestigationandarrest.

Itwillbeshowntothejuryinalltrials,sowhenwatchingthevideos,it’simportanttoimaginewhattheaveragepersonwouldthinkwhenwatchingit.Doesthepersonseemdrunk?Aretheyrude?Dotheyhavetroublekeepingbalance?Aretheyslurringtheirspeech?Howwastheirdriving?Didtheyswervebetweenlanes?Didtheyleadthepoliceonalittlechasebeforepullingover?

Andthisworksbothways.Doesthedashcamshowthetrafficviolationthatcausedthestoptobeinitiated?Wastheofficerrudeinconductingtheinvestigation?Doestheofficer’sreportexaggeratethecluesfromtheFieldSobrietytest?Theanswerstothesequestions,intotality,willhelpshapeyourcaseandhelpyoudeterminewhetheritisastrongorweakcasefortheprosecutor.

BloodAlcoholTest(BreathorBlood)

TheofficeronsceneconductingtheDWIinvestigationwillrequestthatyoublowintoabreathalyzer.Ifyouhavehadanyalcoholthatday,youshouldnotblow,evenifyoufeelyouarenotdrunk.Mostpeopledon’trealizethat.08isaverylowbar.Additionally,

thetestmightnotbeaccurate.Forexample,fyoujustfinishedadrink,thetestcouldshowaBACabove.08becauseofthealcoholinyourmouth,ratherthantheamountinyourbloodstream.

Ifyourefuse,youmightstillbearrested.TheOfficermightdecidetoapproachajudgeforablooddrawwarrant.Iftheydothis,aphlebotomistwilldrawyourbloodinaroomatthejail.Asampleofthebloodwillbesenttothelabandtested.Thisprocesstakesmonths.

Sometimes,eitherduetolackofresourcesorlaziness,theofficerswillnotrequestawarrant,andwillnotgetabloodsampleevenwhenabreathalyzerwasrefused.Inthesecases,prosecutorsmustrelyonthedashcamvideoandofficer’stestimonyalone.Thesecasesaretypicallybetterfordefendants,andprosecutorsaremorelikelytoofferagoodplea.

Miscellaneous

Otherevidencecomesintoplayinsomecases.Sometimesthereisa911calldescribingadriverwasswervingallacrosstheroad.Maybethereisdamageonthecarthatseemslikeitcamefromafreshaccident.Perhapstherearereceiptsshowingthepurchaseofalcoholearlierinthenight.Everycaseisdifferent,sotheremaybeadditionalevidencethatdoesn’tfitintotheabovecategories,butstilldoeshaveabearingonyourDWIcase.Thetotalityofdiscoverydeterminesthestrengthofthecase,whichinturnhasadirecteffectonthenextsection,whichispleanegotiations.

PleaNegotiations

Statisticallyspeaking,mostDWI’sendinaplea.Pleanegotiationsinmisdemeanorcasesareshockinglysimilartousedcarnegotiations.It’snotaperfectsystemasfarasfairnessisconcerned,butit’swhatwehave.DWI’sareverycommoninTravisCountyandthepleanegotiationstendtofollowapattern,whichIwilloutlinebelow.

Atoneofthefirstsettings,theprosecutorwillgiveaninitialoffer–usuallyprobationwithfineandcommunityservice.ThetermoftheprobationandfinewilldependontheseverityoftheDWIandthestrengthoftheprosecutor’scase.Sometimes,theprosecutorwillalsoaskforaDLsuspensionand/oranIIDforsomeorallofprobation.

Thisofferisusuallymadebeforetheprosecutorhasreallylookedintothecase.Iftherearemitigatingfactorsinthedashcamvideo,Iwillasktheprosecutortowatch(theyusuallyhaven’tseenit).Sometimesthiswillgetthemtoreducethepleaoffer.

Afteraninitialroundofnegotiations,wecansometimesgetanacceptableoffer(Iwillgetmoreintowhatanacceptableofferactuallyislater).Iftheofferisnotverygood,wemovetothenextstep.Ifthereareanypretrialissuessuchasasuppressionmotion,Iwillfileitnowandsetitforahearing.Iftheredonotseemtobeanyissues,thenIcansetitfortrial.Keepinmindthatwhenwesetthesethingsinmotion,wecancontinuenegotiating.Oftentheoffersgetbetterandbetter.Rarelydoesanoffergetpulledfromthetableevenwhentheprosecutorsthreatentodoso.

Negotiationscananddocontinueuntilthedayoftrial.Oftenourbestofferwillnotcomeuntilthetrialdate,soitisoftentothedefendant’sadvantagetopushittothatpointandbepreparedtogototrialifitbecomesnecessary.

PretrialHearingsandJuryTrial

PretrialHearings

Ifthereisanissueregardingthestoporthewaythattheinvestigationwasconducted,wecanrequestapretrialhearing.Atthishearing,thedefendantmustbepresent.Iftherewasnosearchwarrant(thereusuallyisn’tinDWIcases),theProsecutorisresponsibleforensuringthattheofficerispresent.Sometimes,fthereisalegitimateissuethatmayormaynotgoourway,wecanusethisasleveragebeforethehearingtogetabetterpleaoffer.

JuryTrial

Onlythepersonchargedcandecidewhethertoacceptapleaofferorpushaheadfortrial.Oftenmyclientsdealwithasubstantialamountofanxietythinkingaboutgoingtotrial.It’sunderstandablebecausethejurytrialrepresentstheunknown.

However,inmanyways,theiranxietyisnotwarrantedforoneimportantreason:Often,there’snotmuchrisk.Attheendoftheday,thepunishmentsforDWIsfoundguiltyatjurytrialaresimilartotheoffersofprosecutors.Inotherwords,prosecutorsareoftenofferingyouthemaximumyouwouldgetattrial.

Ifyoudecidetotakethecasetotrial,itwillworksomethinglikethis.Wewillbesetonthetrialdocketwithanumberofothermisdemeanorcases.Theprosecutoranddefendantmust“announceready”.Thismeanswehaveourwitnessesandevidenceprepared.IftheStateisnotready,theymustaskthejudgeforacontinuance.Usuallythejudgewillgrantoneortwo,butiftheStateasksforanincreasingnumberofcontinuances,thejudgemaythrowoutthecaseentirely.

Typically,evenifbothpartiesareready,wewillstillneedtowaitafewsettingsbecausethejudgewillselectoldercasestotaketotrialfirst.Thereisnohardandfastrule,butmostmisdemeanorcaseswillnotgototrialuntiltheyhavebeenpendingforayearorso.

Onceyourcaseisselectedfortrial,wewillgetachancetoselectajuryinaprocessknownasvoirdire.Duringthistime,bothweandtheStatecanaskquestionsofpotentialjurorsandstrikecertainjurorsthatwefeelcouldnotbeunbiasedorwouldnotbeonoursideforanyreason.Attheendofvoirdire,6jurorsarechosentoserve.Theirverdictmustbeunanimousforyoutobefoundguilty.

Aftervoiredireandopeningstatements,theStatepresentsit’scase.Usuallythisisgoingtoconsistoftheofficer’stestimony,dashcamvideo,andwhateverevidencetheyhave.IftheychoosetoadmitBACtestresults,theymustputexpertsonthestandwho

canexplainthesciencebehindthetest,andwhocanassurethatitwasperformedcorrectlyinthepresentcase.

Followingthat,wewouldputonanywitnessesthatwebring.Thedefendantcantestifyaswell,butasaruleofthumb,it’softenbesttoexerciseyourrighttoremainsilent.Whendefenserests,thereareclosingstatements,andthejuryisreadajurycharge.Theywillthendeliberateandcometoaverdict.Iffoundguilty,wethenmovetothepunishmentphase.Thedefendantcanapplyforprobation,andforfirst-timeDWI’sprobationisoftentheresult.Inalotofcases,theprobationtermgivenbyajudgeorjuryisequalorlessthantheprosecutor’soffer.

Attheendoftheday,fewDWI’smakeittotrial.Whendecidingwhethertotakeacasetotrial,alwayslistentothebenefitsandrisksofyouroptions,andmakeadecisionthatyouarecomfortablewith.

PotentialConsequencesandPenalties

ThemaximumpenaltiesonmisdemeanorDWI’sareasfollows:

ClassBDWI’sarepunishablebyafineofupto$2,000,180daysinjail,orboth.

ClassADWI’sarepunishablebyafineofupto$4,000and/or1yearofjailtime.

ADWIis“enhanced”toaclassAmisdemeanorifthereisapreviousDWIconviction,oriftheBACisabove.15.However,theabovenumbersaremaximumpenalties.Rarely/neverdothepenaltiesapproachthesemaximums.ForClassADWI’sthereisarequiredminimumjailtime(3-30days)evenifyougowithprobation.

Atthemostbasiclevel,DWIconsequencescanbedividedintotime,money,andcriminalrecord.TheconsequencestoyourcriminalrecordwillbediscussedinsectionVIII.

Time

Theburdensonyourtimecanbeintheformofjailtime,communityservicehours,orclasses.MisdemeanorjailtimeinTravisCountyiscalculatedona2-for-1oreven3-for-1basis.Whatthismeansforyouisthateachdayyouspendinjailcounts2or3timesforyoursentence.3-for-1isawardedfor“trusty”status,whichisgivenifyouareeligibletoperformcertainjobswithinthejail.You’realsoawardedcreditforanytimeyoualreadyspentinjailfollowingyourarrest.Althoughmyclientstypicallywanttoavoidjailatallcosts,sometimesa1or2dayjailstintcanavoidalengthyprobation.

CommunityServiceRestitution(CSR)canbeservedatanynon-religiousnon-profit,butitisalwaysbesttogetapprovalfromthecourtorrunitbyyourattorneybeforechoosingwheretoserveyourCSR.Itisalsoextremelyimportanttodocumentyourhoursandmaintainyourrecordswell.Ifyouloseyourdocumentation,youmighthavetoserveyourhoursagain.

Formanymisdemeanors,prosecutorswillrequestthatyoutakecertainclassesaspartofyourpunishment.Theseclassescanbe8-45hourslong.Itcanbebeneficialtotaketheseclassesearly,becauseaprosecutormighttakethisintoaccountwhenofferingaplea.Sometimestakingclassesearlycanevenleadtoadismissalforcasesthatareespeciallyweak.

Money

There’snotwowaysaboutit;anarresthitsyouinthepocketbook.Attorneyfees,fines,courtcosts,restitution,pretrialconditionsandprobationallcostmoney.Agoodattorneywillhelpyoukeepthesetoaminimum.Eventhoughattorneyfeesseemexpensive,it’simportanttoalsoconsidertheamountagoodattorneywillsaveyouincostslateron.ThefinancialcostsofaDWIarebrokendownfurtherinsectionIX.

Outcomes

Ifyouprefertotakeaplea,youwilloftenhavemultipleoptionsfromtheprosecutor.BelowIwillgointosomeofthesepossibilities,whicharenotexhaustive.Theywillnotbeavailableineverycase.

StraightDismissal

Thisis,ofcourse,thebestoutcome.Iftheprosecutorseesaproblemwiththecaselikelackofprobablecauseorlackofevidence,theymaydecidetodismiss.Dismissalmightalsocomeafterahearingonamotiontosuppressevidence.Ifthejudgedecidesthatacriticalpieceofevidenceisnotallowedattrial,prosecutorsmaydecidetodismissratherthanputonacasetheyarelikelytolose.Inthiscase,thearrestcanbeexpunged.

DeferredProsecution

Thisisnotsetoutinanystatute,andisinsteadanarrangementwithprosecutors.UnderaDeferredProsecutionagreement,youadmitguiltinadocumentthatyougivetotheprosecutor.Inexchange,theprosecutordismissesthecharges.

Younowmustfollowcertainconditionsaspartoftheagreement.Themostcommonconditionisthatyoumustnotbechargedwithanewcrimeforaperiodoftime(usually4-12months).SometimesCommunityServiceHoursand/orclassesarealsoordered.Onceyoucompletetherequirements,yourcaseisover.Itwasalreadydismissedandnowcanbeexpunged.DeferredProsecutionisusuallyagoodoptionbecauseyourcriminalrecordcanbekeptclearandtherequirementsaren’tusuallytoodifficult.Thereisnoformalprobation.Thedownsideisthatifyoudopickupanewarrest,theprosecutorcanuseyouradmissionofguilttoconvictyou.

PretrialDiversion(PTD)

Fordefendantswhodon’thavemuchcriminalhistory,PTDcanbeanoption.Thisisaformalprogramputonbythecourt.Ifyouareacceptedintotheprogram,yourcaseis“putonhold”.Aftercompletingtheprogram,whichconsistsofmonthlyfees,CSR,Classes,andsometimesotherrequirementslikedrugtests(UrineanalysesorUAs),yourcaseisformallydismissedbythecourt.ThisonlyrarelyanoptioninDWIsinTravisCounty.

Probation/DeferredAdjudication

Withbothprobationanddeferredadjudication,youwillbeonformalprobation.ThismeansthatyouwillhavetoreporttoaProbationOfficer(PO),payprobationfees(about$60permonth),performCSR,takeclasses,andobeyvariousotherconditionsdependingonyourcharge.

Additionally,youmightneedtospendtimeinjailasaconditionofprobation(ACOP).Importantly,daysspentACOParenotsoftenedwiththe2-for-1rulementionedearlier.Instead,theseareserved“day-for-day”.Ifyoureceive10daysACOP,youwillserveall10days,butyoudogetcreditfortimealreadyserved.AnotherwrinklethatisspecifictoDWIprobationisthat,bylaw,itcannotbeterminatedearly.

Theonlydifferencewithadeferredadjudicationasopposedtoprobationisthatyoudonotreceiveaconviction.However,thebenefitofdeferredadjudicationissomewhatlimitedbecauseanexpunctionisnotavailable.Youcansealtherecordwithanorderofnon-disclosure,butthearrestremainsonyourrecord.Thiswillbediscussedinmoredetaillater.

ObstructingaRoadwayConviction

AconvictiononObstructingaRoadwaycanbeacompromiseincertaincases.ThishasthebenefitofavoidingaDWIconviction,whichcanbeextremelyimportantinsomecases.Also,youavoidthousandsinsurcharges.Finally,unlikeDWIprobation,Ihavesuccessfullyterminatedprobationearlyformanyclients.Insomecases,acceptingaconvictiononanobstructionwilllimityourabilitytogetanorderofnon-disclosure,soifthatisimportantforyou,besuretodiscussitwithyourattorney.

ConvictionwithJailTime

Althoughmanyclientsshyawayfromajailsentence,itcansometimesbeagoodoptiontoescapealengthyprobationwithit’sfeesandconditions.Sometimesthejailsentencecanbeasshortasonenightinjail,whichisbasicallyacheck-inandcheck-out.Althougheverythingisonacasebycasebasis,forsomeclients,ashortjailstaymakessense.

CriminalHistory

AnatomyofaCriminalRecord

Acriminalrecordconsistsof3parts:thearrest,timespentincustody,andthedisposition.Assoonasyouarearrested,thearrestandjailtime(ifany)isshownonyourhistory.Thedispositionwillappearonlyafterthecaseconcludes.Anexpunctionoorderofnon-disclosureisavailableonlyifyourcasesaredisposedincertainways.

Expunction

Anexpunctionmeansthatyourcriminalrecordisliterallydestroyed.Nooneshouldbeabletofindit,andyouarelegallypermittedtodenythatthearresteverexisted.Itdoesnothappenautomatically.Youmustpetitionthecourt.Icharge$1,000flatfeeforanexpunction,whichbreaksdownintoabout$400courtcostsand$600inattorneyfees.

Thereisawaitingperiodforthedurationofthestatuteoflimitations.However,theprosecutorwillwaivethiswaitingperiodinsomecases.Anexpunctionisavailableonlywhenthereisadismissal.BecausePretrialDiversionandDeferredProsecutionbothresultinadismissal,expunctionisavailablefortheseresultsaswell.

OrderofNon-disclosure(Sealing)

Anorderofnon-disclosureisnotnearlyasgoodasanexpunction.Althoughyourcriminalhistoryissealedfrompublicview,lawenforcement,courtclerks,andprosecutorialagencieswillstillhaveaccesstotherecords.Still,itcanbebeneficialforsometosealtheserecordsfrompublicview.

Anorderofnon-disclosureisavailablefollowingasuccessfulcompletionofdeferredadjudication,andinlimitedcasesafteraconviction.YoumightberequiredtomaintainanIIDtobeeligibleforanorderofnon-disclosure,soyoumayneedtoweighthecost/benefitsifkeepingyourrecordcleanvs.theinconvenienceandcostoftheIID.

FinancialImpactofaDWI

ThefinancialimpactofaDWIcanvarybasedonanumberoffactors.Forexample,youmaynotberequiredtoinstallanIID.Or,youmaygetareductiontoObstructingaRoadwaythatwouldeliminatesurcharges.Theremaybeintangiblefactorsaswell,suchasmissedworktime.However,thefollowinglistwillgiveyouanideaofthecosts.

Attorneyfees: $2500

PRBondfee: $40

CES/MADDPanel $115

Fine $400

CourtCosts $350

IID(6months) $490

Probationfees(1year) $780

OccupationalLicense $600

Surcharges $2,000

Total: $7,275

The$7,275figureisanestimateandtheactualfigurecanbemuchmoreormuchless.Also,keepinmindthatwhileattorneyfeesarethehighestfigureonthatlist,agoodattorneywillsaveyoumoneyinotherways.Inmycases,Iamabletonegotiatealowerfine,and/orwaivecourtcosts.Inmanycases,herearewaystogetthesurchargesknockeddowntozero.Attheendoftheday,aDWIisexpensive,therearenotwowaysaboutit.However,agoodattorneywillactuallylessen,notincreasethecost,andlimityourexposuretootherpenaltiesaswell.

HelpfulWebsitesandContactInfo

Mycontactinfo:

TheLawOfficeofRobChesnutt

https://www.ATXCriminalDefense.com

7000NorthMoPacExpy,Suite200,Austin,Texas78731

Phone:512-677-5003

Email:[email protected]

Blackwell-ThurmanCriminalJusticeCenter

509West11thStreet

Austin,Texas78701

(512)854-9244

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/criminal

LookUpUpcomingCourtDates:

https://publiccourts.traviscountytx.gov/dsa/-/

RequestanALRHearing:

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/customer_service/alr.aspx

PretrialServices:

LocatedonthefirstflooroftheBlackwell-ThurmanJusticeCenter

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/tccjs/pretrial/contact

512-854-9381

TravisCountyCES:

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/counseling-education

1010Lavaca(2ndfloor)Austin,TX78701

(512)854-9540

SecondLocation:

5501AirportBlvd.,#102Austin,TX,78751

(512)854-9540

MADDVIPInfo:

https://www.maddvip.org/listing/blackwell-thurman-criminal-justice-center/

SmartStart(IIDvendor):

https://www.smartstartinc.com/

SoberLink(PAMandSCRAMvendor):

https://www.soberlink.com/

AdultProbation:

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/tccjs/adult-probation/

411W.13thSt.Austin,TX78701Room722

512-854-4600

CCA–CountyCourtAdmin

LocatedonfirstflooroftheBlackwell-ThurmanJusticeCenter

(512)854-9244

TravisCountyCourts:

CC3–HonorableJohnLipscombe

5thFloor

(512)854-9243

CC4–HonorableMikeDenton

3rdFloor

(512)854-9896

CC5–HonorableNancyHoengarten

4thFloor

(512)854-9676

CC6–HonorableBrandyMueller

4thFloor

(512)854-9677

CC7–HonorableElizabethEarle

6thFloor

(512)854-9679

CC8–HonorableCarlosBarrera

5thFloor

(512)854-7180

CC9–HonorableKimWilliams

6thFloor

(512)854-8460

TexasDWICode:

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.49.htm

ODLEligibilityandReinstatementFees:

https://txapps.texas.gov/txapp/txdps/dleligibility/login.do

TexasDriverResponsibilitySurchargeProgram:

https://www.txsurchargeonline.com/

UTExpunctionProject(probonoexpunctionsforthosewhoqualify):

https://law.utexas.edu/probono/projects/special-projects/texas-law-expunction-project/

AbouttheAuthor

RobChesnuttisanimpassionedcriminaldefenseattorneybasedinAustin,Texas.Sinceopeninghispracticein2014,hehasoptedtofocusoncriminaldefense,providingpersonalized,thoroughrepresentationforhundredsofclientsfacingatoughmomentintheirlives.Robtakespridenotonlyinachievingthebestpossibleresults,butalsoinexplainingtheprocessinawaythattakesawaythemysteryandrelievesstressforhisclients.

HereceivedhisJurisDoctoratefromLoyolaUniversity,graduatingCumLaude.HewasamemberoflawreviewandtheStuartH.Smithcriminaldefenseclinic.Beforethat,hewasbornandraisedinTexas,andreceivedhisundergraduatedegreefromTexasA&M.RoblivesinSouthAustin,ismarried,andistheproudfatherofafouryearolddaughter.

Robbelievesthatitisthesacreddutyofthecriminaldefenselawyertogiveavoicetothosewhomightnotbeabletospeakforthemselvesinacourtoflaw.Hevaluescommunicationwithclients,listenstotheirconcerns,andalwayskeepstheminformedofnewdevelopmentsintheircase.IfyouhireRob,youcanbeassuredofmaximumeffortinadvocatingforyourside.

BasedinAustin,RobservesTravis,Williamson,andsurroundingcounties.

SpeakwithRobaboutyourcaseforfree:512-677-5003

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