DWI Law Changes from 2011

By Marshall A. Shelsy, Staff Attorney for the Harris County Courts at Law 

The 82nd Texas Legislature significantly increased the level of public safety by giving judges the authority to closely supervise defendants and any individual granted an occupational driver’s license for so long as the license is in effect. Judges also have the authority to order reasonable conditions such as urinalysis, curfew, and treatment. License holders are required to pay the local community supervision and corrections department (CSCD) a monthly supervision fee not to exceed $60 in addition to the cost of services and programs. The authority of a Texas judge to order a defendant charged with an intoxication-related motor vehicle offense was clarified to provide for pretrial supervision by the local CSCD of defendants on cash, surety, and personal bonds and to monitor compliance with other conditions of bond. Again, the defendant pays a monthly administration fee. The changes appear in Senate Bills 880, and 953.

Click here to download Mr. Shelsy’s paper with highlighted changes to penal code, driver’s license provisions and charts that make sense of it all.