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TravisCountyDWIGuide
WHATTOEXPECTWHENCHARGEDWITHMISDEMEANORDWI
ATTORNEYROBCHESNUTT
ATXCRIMINALDEFENSE.COM
512-677-5003
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PAGE2
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
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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
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intendedasanintroductiontomylawoffice,andtheservicesthatwecanprovideasyour
criminaldefenseattorney,shouldyoudecidetohireus.Wearealwaysaphonecallaway:
24/7forjailrelease,orduringbusinesshourstosetupafreeconsultation.512-677-
5003.
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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.
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Weunderstandthateveryminutespentincustodyistoolong.Ifafriendorloved
onehasbeenarrested,call512-677-5003anytimeforajailrelease.Messagesleftafter
businesshourswillbereturnedquickly.Anyfeesspentonjailreleasewillbeapplied
directlytoattorneyfees.
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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
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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.
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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:
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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,
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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.
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Afteraninitialroundofnegotiations,wecansometimesgetanacceptableoffer(Iwillgetmoreintowhatanacceptableofferactuallyislater).Iftheofferisnotverygood,wemovetothenextstep.Ifthereareanypretrialissuessuchasasuppressionmotion,Iwillfileitnowandsetitforahearing.Iftheredonotseemtobeanyissues,thenIcansetitfortrial.Keepinmindthatwhenwesetthesethingsinmotion,wecancontinuenegotiating.Oftentheoffersgetbetterandbetter.Rarelydoesanoffergetpulledfromthetableevenwhentheprosecutorsthreatentodoso.
Negotiationscananddocontinueuntilthedayoftrial.Oftenourbestofferwillnotcomeuntilthetrialdate,soitisoftentothedefendant’sadvantagetopushittothatpointandbepreparedtogototrialifitbecomesnecessary.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Money
There’snotwowaysaboutit;anarresthitsyouinthepocketbook.Attorneyfees,fines,courtcosts,restitution,pretrialconditionsandprobationallcostmoney.Agoodattorneywillhelpyoukeepthesetoaminimum.Eventhoughattorneyfeesseemexpensive,it’simportanttoalsoconsidertheamountagoodattorneywillsaveyouincostslateron.ThefinancialcostsofaDWIarebrokendownfurtherinsectionIX.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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(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/
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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