Presenting a New Concept in Dealing with Impaired Drivers

Court dockets across the country are backlogged with DWI/Drug Cases. Traditional punishment methods have not proven successful. Putting alcoholics and drug addicts in jail has not alleviated the problem. As society continues to build facilities to house inmates, studies show that other programs are more beneficial. Intensive supervision, sanctions, and incentives through the court system work better to reduce recidivism, re-establish productive citizens into the community, and while making roads safer for all.

DWI/Drug courts target certain impaired drivers who, without serious treatment intervention and accountability, are at high risk of re-offending. The goal of these problem-solving courts is to stop drunk driving by addressing the root causes: of alcohol and other substance abuse. Once DWI court participants plead guilty, they are placed under supervised probation and required to undergo intensive treatment and counseling, submit to frequent supervision and random alcohol and/or drug testing, make frequent appearances in court, and be closely monitored for program compliance.

This vigorous treatment program addresses the underlying cause of Substance and Alcohol abuse that spurs from DWI offenses, holds offenders accountable for their behavior, and enforces the development of skills for staying sober and becoming law-abiding citizens. DWI courts can successfully change the behavior of those serious offenders whose impaired driving puts the public at risk.

Mission

In an attempt to increase public safety and decrease drug-related crime, thereby decreasing the taxpayer's burden, the Collin County Court at Law Seven DWI/Drug Court's mission will be to target high-risk substance-dependent offenders and provide a non-adversarial and coordinated strategy for case processing. This will include intensive supervision, treatment services, and frequent monitoring with the goal being increased accountability and awareness of the participant's substance abuse issues and the negative consequences of continued usage. The program is designed to achieve measurable and sustainable sobriety of participating offenders and improve the quality of their lives so they may become productive and responsible community members.

Program Structure

The Collin County DWI/Drug Court Program is a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment collaborative effort for non-violent offenders. This is a voluntary program that includes regular court appearances before a designated DWI/Drug Court Judge. Treatment, which includes alcohol/drug testing, individual and group counseling, and regular attendance at self-help meetings (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous), is provided through the combined effort of the Probation Department and the Health Care Agency’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. The program’s length, determined by each participant's progress will be no less than 12 months. (Ongoing aftercare services will be available to all graduates). Following the arrest, depending on your eligibility, you may be offered DWI/Drug Court on the pending charges. A defense attorney or your private counsel will advise you of your choices and discuss the DWI/Drug Court Program with you. Entry into the DWI/Drug Court Program is voluntary but will require a screening and a guilty plea. You will be placed on formal probation for a period of 2 years. You will be instructed to immediately report to the Probation Department following your plea. While on probation, you will be ordered to comply with specific terms and conditions. You will be assigned to a probation officer who will be responsible for providing supervision and enforcing probation terms and conditions. Probation supervision will include unannounced home visits during which both you and your place of residence are subject to search and may include random alcohol/drug testing. In addition, local law enforcement officers may assist your probation officer in your supervision. Your defense counsel will continue to represent you throughout your participation in DWI/Drug Court. DWI/DRUG COURT PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK PAGE 4 Successful completion and "graduation" from the program may result in early termination of Probation and/or the opportunity to serve a jail sentence through electronic confinement. Failure or discharge from the program will result in the imposition of the suspended sentence. DWI/Drug Court is operational in Collin County at the Collin County Courthouse as a pilot. The DWI/Drug Court Judge will oversee your progress and have full jurisdiction over the entire process. Final determination of entry into the program shall be staffed by team members, with final approval by the Judge and input potentially from the District Attorney, Defense Counsel, Probation, court team, and treatment provider.

Note: Applicant must have a SCRAM device for at least the first three (3) months of supervision.

Disclaimer: At any time, the Judge can remove an applicant from the program if the Judge sees that is the appropriate course of action. New arrests, or serious/repeated violations of drug court rules, violations, requirements of any aspect of your treatment plan, may result in termination from the drug court program. ​