Bexar County DWI Court

Our Mission

The Mission of the Bexar County DWI Court is to increase public safety and offender accountability through therapeutic judicial management, collaborative treatment, education and supervision. The goal of the Court is to promote more responsible and productive members of the community, thereby decreasing recidivism and reducing costs.

Who Is Eligible?

  • 17 years of age or older
  • Diagnosis of alcohol dependence
  • High risk/high need offender
  • On probation for a DWI subsequent offense
  • Resident of or employed in Bexar County

Who Is Not Eligible?

  • Current or pending felony charge
  • Current or pending violent offense
  • Out of county residence
  • Participating in another problem solving court

DWI Court Versus Regular Probation

DWI Court

  • Utilizes the team approach to treatment and supervision by using specially trained team members, including probation officers with small caseloads and case managers who meet regularly with participants
  • Assistance with needs such as housing, education, employment, etc.
  • Violations of program orders are discussed by the team and handled by the judge on an individual basis
  • Low program fee which takes the place of fines, court costs, and probation fees
  • Incentives available as participant progresses
  • Judge meets with the participant during a specialized docket that is held every other week and knows the unique circumstances of every participant

Regular Probation

  • Probation officers without specialized training and caseloads of upwards of 150 defendants, no case manager available
  • Ancillary needs are not considered or addressed
  • The majority of violations of probation result in a motion to revoke and an arrest
  • Defendants normally pay a high fine, all court costs and a monthly supervisory fee to probation
  • No recognition or incentives for progress
  • Judge only sees a defendant if a motion to revoke probation has been filed

All Rise & Act Video

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I qualify for the DWI Court Program?
  2. How do I get referred to the DWI Court?
  3. What, if any, exclusions are there from being considered for the DWI Court Program?
  4. What is a DWI Subsequent Offense?
  5. Why would i be referred to the DWI Court?

1. How do I qualify for the DWI Court Program?

The defendant must meet the following requirements. Defendant must:

  • Be 17 years of age or older, 
  • On probation for a DWI Subsequent Offense (two (2) DWI convictions), 
  • Be a legal resident or citizen of the United States of America and resident of Bexar County, and/or 
  • Be a high risk/high need offender and diagnosed as Alcohol Dependent.

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2. How do I get referred to the DWI Court?

A judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and/or probation officer may refer you to be considered for inclusion in the DWI Court Program. You can also self-refer. An Order of Referral must be completed and signed by the Judge of the court that your case originated from to start the screening process.

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3. What, if any, exclusions are there from being considered for the DWIC program?

A defendant will be excluded from DWI Court if he or she: 

  • Is seriously and chronically mentally ill, 
  • Considered clinically inappropriate and demonstrates maladaptive behaviors that are incongruent with the structure of the DWI Court; or 
  • Has Current or Pending Violent Offense and/or Felony Offense, an out of County Resident, and/or participating in another problem solving court. 

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4. What is a DWI Subsequent Offense?

A DWI subsequent offense could be any combination of two of the following:

  • Obstruction of Highway
  • DWI
  • DWI w/ BAC of .15 or higher
  • DWI 2nd

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5. Why would I be referred to the DWI Court?

The State of Texas has established the Health and Safety Code Chapter 469, Sec 469.005. This law requires a person arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a second or subsequent offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated to participate (referred) in the county's existing drug court program that is exclusive for this target population. The Bexar County DWI Court was implemented exclusively for the purpose of addressing the needs of those convicted of a second or subsequent offense.