On August 4, 2011, Judge Dan Wilson, Collin CCL #5, addressed the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (3CDLA) regarding stats and updates on the Collin County DWI and Drug Court, which he has supervised for 2 years. Here is a rundown of his address.
Stats
- 85 total participants
- 42 current participants
- 29 successful graduates
- 8 revocations
- 4 transferred to mental health
- 4 transferred to felony supervision
Type of Client to Put in Program
- has had 2 more DWI or Drug offenses in last 2 years
- is serious about getting clean and sober; willing to recognize and acknowledge has a substance abuse problem
- understands and willing to commit to serious time consuming program; program is hard and requires serious commitment
- willing to commit to either succeed or will go to jail; once in program there is no getting out and going standard probation
General Terms of DWI/Drug Court Program
- must plead guilty and to maximum probation conditions for criminal offense; typically will be Class A Misdemeanor: 1 year confinement in county jail and $4,000 fine, both probated for 2 years
- community service requirements waived
- after satisfactory completion of 1 year in program, will be discharged and if any remaining time on probation period will be switched to non-reporting probation and required to check in with probation officer every 2 months
- required installation of “deep lung device” (DLD) or “ignition interlock device;” however, through an agreement with a company, the monthly monitoring fee will be substantially less and if making satisfactory progress after 6 months in the program will be allowed to remove
- suspension of TX DL for minimum period, granted an Occupational Drivers License (ODL) with the filing fee waived
- will have submit to a Substance Abuse Evaluation
- regular attendance at AA/NA
For more information:
DWI/Drug Court Program Participants’ Handbook
Collin County DWI/Drug Court (website)
Benefits
- minimum legal benefits, but some reduction in fees
- 80% chance of remaining sober (consistent with national average, but slightly better local averages)
- significant reduced incidents of repeat criminal conduct (any criminal offense, not just alcohol or drug related criminal offenses)
Observations
- as individuals become sober and rely less (or stop using altogether) alcohol or drugs, other personal or emotional problems may arise as reflected in the individuals transferred to mental health
- if sobriety is is goal of participant, then the court program requires a substantial commitment of time and significant changes in personal conduct and attitudes
- if desire is to get “this case” out of way, the standard probation will take substantial financial commitment, but individual can avoid the dramatic time commitments
- for any repeat DWI offense, the fear of any criminal defense attorney is recognizing potential substance abuse issues that might result in client eventually facing a felony DWI criminal offense
If I may be of assistance, I encourage you call my office at (972) 234-8208 or email me at jwtidelljr@tidwell-law.net to discuss your case.
