The Williamson County DWI/Drug Court is a rehabilitative post-adjudication program for alleged repeat driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders, drug possession offenders, offenders who are arrested for felony cases, and offenders who violate the terms of their community supervision. The program typically lasts at least 12 months and aims to have participants comply with the conditions of their community supervision, maintain abstinence or sobriety, participate in and complete necessary treatment, and attend regularly scheduled court hearings.
People who are accepted into and successfully complete the program can have their criminal charges dropped. However, failure to abide by the DWI/Drug Court’s rules can result a motion to revoke supervision or a motion to set aside deferred adjudication that sends the alleged offender’s case back to court.
Williamson County DWI Court Attorney
If you have been arrested for your second or subsequent DWI in Williamson County, an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney can help determine whether you qualify for DWI/Drug Court. Michael J. Price fights to protect the rights of people all over Central Texas who have been charged with drunk driving.
Price & Twine, PLLC represents clients in Georgetown and surrounding areas of Williamson County such as Cedar Park, Hutto, Leander, Round Rock, and Taylor. Call (512) 354-1880 today to have your case reviewed during a free, confidential consultation.
Williamson County DWI Court Information Center
- Who is eligible for the DWI/Drug Court?
- Who cannot participate in the DWI/Drug Court?
- How is it determined if a person has a substance use disorder?
- What are the requirements of the program?
- How long does this program last?
Qualified Offenders for Williamson County DWI Court
Alleged offenders need to satisfy the following criteria in order to qualify for Williamson County DWI/Drug Court:
- Needs to be at least 17 years of age
- Must reside in Williamson County, although there are rare exceptions made for alleged offenders who may live in an adjacent county but work in Williamson County
- No holds, warrants, or other pending cases from other jurisdictions, although consideration is given for some alleged offenders on a case-by-case basis
- Needs to be physically and mentally capable of participating in the program and meeting its requirements
- Must have received at least a one-year sentence or be eligible for an extension of the term of community supervision so at least one year will remain upon placement in Williamson County DWI/Drug Court
Offenders Ineligible for Williamson County DWI Court
There are certain criminal histories or legal criteria that may disqualify alleged offenders from participating in the Williamson County DWI/Drug Court:
- Alleged offenders charged with or convicted of violent crimes
- Alleged offenders charged with or convicted of sex crimes
- Alleged offenders with prior history of stalking or violation of a protective order charge (exceptions made on case-by-case basis)
- Alleged offenders who prosecutors have determined have a significant history of drug dealing
- Alleged offenders charged with or convicted of possession of large amounts of drugs with apparent intent to deliver
- Alleged offenders charged with or convicted of multiple burglary of a habitation offenses that potentially could have led to the harm of residents
- Alleged offenders who are considered to have poor potential to complete the program due to contributing factors that make them a high risk to re-offend or relapse, such as proximity to gang activity, ongoing criminal behavior by family members, or suspected drug trafficking
- Alleged offenders with a hold from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Williamson County DWI Court Substance Dependency Criteria
The Williamson County DWI/Drug Court focuses on alleged offenders who have been assessed as having a substance use disorder, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. In the Fourth Edition of the DSM, substance dependence is defined as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period”:
- Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
- A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect
- Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance
- Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
- The characteristic withdrawal syndrome of a specific substance
- The same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms
- The substance is taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
- There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control substance abuse
- A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use
- The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance
Williamson County DWI Court Program Stipulations
A person who is accepted into the Williamson County DWI/Drug Court agrees to the following stipulations:
- Be Honest With DWI/Drug Court Team
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Counseling
- Abstinence from Alcohol and Drugs
- Commit No New Offenses
- Make All Scheduled Appearances
- Maintain Employment and/or Education
- Maintain Stable Housing
- Payment of Fees
- Allow DWI/Drug Court Team Members to Conduct Field Visits to Residence
- Do Not Bring Cellular Telephones or Pagers to Court or Required Program Meetings
- Dress Appropriately
Phases of Williamson County DWI Court
In order to “graduate” from the Williamson County DWI/Drug Court program, a participant needs to successfully complete all three phases of the program. The goals and requirements of these phases are as follows:
Phase I
- Phase lasts two to four months, depending on compliance
- One office visit per week
- One court appearance per week
- One meeting with Substance Abuse Counselor per week
- Attend Victim Impact Panel within 30 days of plea
- Two Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Treatment sessions per week for 10 weeks
- One aftercare session per week for six months after IOP is completed
- Cognitive Education once a week
- Random urine analysis appointment
- Minimum attendance of two Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings per week (or as instructed)
- Curfew: 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Phase II
- Phase lasts three to five months, depending on compliance
- Alternate weeks between office visits and court
- Two meetings with Substance Abuse Counselor per month (or as needed)
- Complete Aftercare and Cognitive Education
- Random urine analysis appointment
- Minimum attendance of two Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings per week (or as instructed)
- Curfew: 11:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Phase III
- Phase lasts for remainder of probation period (approximately six months)
- One office visit per month
- One court appearance per month
- One meeting with Substance Abuse Counselor per month (or as needed)
- Random urine analysis appointment
- Complete any required additional classes and any remaining Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) hours
- Two meetings with Substance Abuse Counselor per month (or as needed)
Additional Resources
Williamson County DWI Drug Court – Access the official website for Williamson County, TX. The page offers information about the DWI drug court such as the mission, intent, purpose, and more.
Texas Penal Code: Driving While Intoxicated – Access the official website for the Texas Penal Code to view section 49.04 which constitutes driving while intoxicated (DWI). You can view penalties for the offense and definitions for terms related to the crime.
Georgetown Drug Court Lawyer | Williamson County, TX
The Williamson County DWI/Drug Court certainly offers some tremendous benefits for participants who are able to successfully complete the program, but it is important for all alleged offenders to understand exactly what will be required of them. Michael J. Price handles DWI cases for people all over Central Texas and is committed to achieving the most favorable outcome to your case.
Price & Twine, PLLC represents clients throughout Williamson County as well as such areas of Bell County as Belton, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Temple. Our Georgetown criminal defense attorneys can provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (512) 354-1880 to schedule a free legal consultation.