Open container laws might seem unnecessary to those who practice responsible drinking habits. However, not all individuals are discriminatory when it comes to behaviors like drinking and driving. When a police officer pulls over a vehicle, they have no way of knowing if the passengers of the vehicle are acting responsibly. Open container laws...

In most cases of arrest, residing inside of a local jail is not an ideal prospect. Typically, the court sets bail, which allows the defendant to continue living in their own home before their trial. Posting bail can be both a blessing and a curse, as not everyone can afford to pay it outright....

The Pre-Trial Intervention Program (PTIP) aims to provide education, rehabilitation, and diversion of prosecution for specific offenders within the criminal justice system. Managed jointly by the Williamson County Attorney’s Office and Texas Community Supervision Alternatives, LLC (TCSA), PTIP offers voluntary participation for defendants. Upon approval, defendants engage in a contractual agreement with the County...

In Texas, a driving while intoxicated (DWI) surcharge is an administrative penalty. It is a fee the Department of Public Safety charges as a requirement for maintaining your driver’s license post-DWI conviction. A DWI surcharge can bring the total costs of your DWI conviction much higher than the initial penalties, as the surcharge applies per...

The criminal justice process consists of several phases. The first process generally includes arrest, booking, and arraignment. Once the police arrest a suspect for a crime, they will book the suspect at the police department, documenting a mug shot, the suspect’s fingerprints, and a list of all items in the suspect’s possession at the...