Houston Probation Violation Defense Attorneys

Proudly Serving Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria & Montgomery Counties

Although Texas law imposes harsh penalties for driving while intoxicated, each case is treated individually and in some cases, punishment may be minimized to a DWI probation term. If the court decides that you are a good candidate for probation, you will be able to live at home and will be monitored by the county’s Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

If you want to aggressively explore this legal option, you need to hire an attorney with a proven track record and experience handling this type of case. You need Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C. on your side. If you received a notice that you are in violation of probation for your DWI case, you especially need to call a skilled Houston probation violation defense lawyer right away.

Give us a call at (713) 422-2270 today. We look forward to serving you.

Types of Probation for DWI in Texas

There are different types of probation depending on the classification of your offense, whether a Class A or B misdemeanor or a third-degree felony. The court will also impose certain rules you must follow with penalties attached so you know what will happen if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions.

Texas law allows for two types of probation:

• Deferred adjudication probation: Deferred adjudication is generally available only for first-time offenders. It is also only available to those who decide not to go to trial. The court does not enter a finding of guilt but defers adjudicating guilt until the end of the probation period. If you follow all the conditions of probation, the case will be dismissed and there will be no finding of guilty at the end of the probationary period. The circumstances of the arrest and adjudication may be available, but there will not be a record of you having been found guilty of a criminal offense.
• Suspended sentence probation: Suspended sentence is a type of probation the court may impose after a guilty verdict or finding. With suspended sentence probation, the court may impose a set sentence for a certain period of time, sending you either to the county jail or the state prison, depending on the type of crime. Instead of actually sending you there for incarceration, the court suspends the sentence pending the successful completion of probation. If you complete your probation without violating the terms, your sentence is complete, and you will not be incarcerated.

Terms & Conditions of DWI Probation

Courts consider each case individually when imposing terms and conditions of probation for DWI.

Some of the most common ones include:

• Fines and restitution: Payment of restitution, fines, and court costs. The court will likely work out payment plans for those who are unable to make one payment.
• Probation officer: Reporting periodically, generally monthly, to a probation officer.
• Ignition interlock system: Install, at your own expense, an alcohol interlock ignition device on your vehicle. This is a device that requires you to blow into it before starting your car. If you have even a trace of alcohol in your blood, your car will not start.
• No violations: Not committing any other offense.
• Clean UA: Abstaining from drugs and alcohol and submitting to periodic and random alcohol or drug testing.
• DWI classes: Attending DWI or alcohol education and awareness classes.
• No traveling: Staying in the county unless you get permission to travel from your probation officer or the court.
• Community service: Performing a certain number of hours of community service.
• Random sobriety tests: Submitting to any breath or urine test if requested to do so by law enforcement, your probation officer, or the court.
• Jail or incarceration: Some jail time may be required before the commencement of the probationary period.
• Suspended license: Suspension of your driver’s license or some restrictions on your license may be imposed, such as only driving to and from work or school.

These are only examples. The conditions of probation for a DWI are crafted based on the circumstances of the particular offense, whether or not you are a first-time offender, and what prior convictions you have on your record. In some cases with habitual DWI offenses, the judge will not allow any probation and will defer only to punishment, fines, and sentencing.

At the end of the probationary period, if you have complied with the terms and conditions, you have completed your sentence and can resume your normal life without any court-imposed restrictions.

Types of Probation Violations

If the court sentences you to probation with terms crafted for your unique situation, it is like being given a second chance. If you violate those terms, your probation officer may ask the court to issue a warrant for your arrest and file a motion to revoke your probation.

Some examples of violations that may result in probation revocation include:

• An arrest for any reason for any offense
• Failure to make payments according to your arrangements with the court
• Skipping a court-ordered alcohol education class
• Detection of any amount of alcohol in your system when you are driving
• Failure to show up at your scheduled time for community service
• Possession of any amount of a controlled substance

Depending on how serious the court finds the probation violation to be, it has several options of how to proceed and can decide what the consequences may be.

Consequences of Violating Probation for DWI

The court continues its mission to treat each case individually. The judge will hold a hearing where both you and the probation officer will have a chance to present your case. It is possible that if this is your first violation, and the court considers the violation a minor one, you will be admonished and your probation will continue.

If you violated your deferred adjudication probation, the court may enter a finding of guilt and impose a sentence it deems appropriate within the statutory limits of the Texas Penal Code section that you violated. You will now have a guilty verdict of a misdemeanor or felony on your criminal record.

If you violated your suspended sentence probation, the court may send you to jail or prison, but the sentence cannot be more than the one originally imposed and suspended unless you have committed another offense in addition to the probation violation. ​For example, if the court imposed a five-year suspended sentence, you cannot now be sentenced to more than that based solely on your probation violation.

Call a Defense Lawyer for Violation of DWI Probation in Houston

If you have been accused of violating your DWI probation, you need legal representation right away. Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C. can step in and fight to protect your rights and achieve a favorable resolution to your case.

Contact us online or call (713) 422-2270 to get started.