Today, the Texas Public Safety Commission continues its hearing all about the current Texas Driver Responsibility Program, which many (as in, many criminal judges) are reporting is the reason that there is around a 2 year backlog of DWI cases across the state — because those accused of driving drunk and charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated) are wanting trials and not taking a deal. Seems the Program’s DWI Surcharges are causing lotsa problems out there.
What’s the DWI Surcharge? It’s Thousands of Dollars and It Covers 3 Years AFTER the DWI Conviction
Right now, Texas drivers convicted of DWI (driving while intoxicated) as well as a couple of other violations (driving without a driver’s license, or one that’s invalid; as well as driving without insurance) must pay automatic surcharges every year, for three years from the date of conviction.
And it isn’t cheap: for a DWI conviction, the surcharge is $1,000 a year for three years for a first conviction; $1,500 a year for the second; and $2,000 a year for any conviction with a blood-alcohol content of 0.16 or greater. That’s big money, right?
People Aren’t Paying the Surcharges
It’s not news to those involved in DWI work that people aren’t paying these surcharges. However, everyone may not know that state-wide, over $1 billion hasn’t been paid. One billion dollars in unpaid surcharges – no wonder they’re having some hearings down in Austin.
Why aren’t people paying?
Some can’t afford it. Some think it’s just wrong or stupid to be asked to pay for up to three years after they’ve already been convicted. They’ll just drive without a license rather than fork over the surcharge.
Surcharges and DWI Trial Backlogs also Impact Pending DWI Cases: Dismissals, Lesser Offenses
In the face of balloon-bursting DWI trial dockets, criminal judges and prosecutors have become creative in how to deal with drunk driver cases that are brought before them. Judges are dismissing more cases, and lots of DWI cases are getting lesser charges — like reckless driving.
And apparently, dismissing cases and negotiating down to lesser charges isn’t solving the DWI docket program — or the problem that there’s a $1 billion dollar account receivable on the State Budget. You go figure which is the driving factor here.
Hearing Continues Today
Whatever the impetus, the hearing is continuing today. According to Grits for Breakfast, most everyone there is hankering for a change. The only ones that like things the way they are, apparently, are hospital representatives. They want to maximize money from surcharges going to hospital trauma centers.
Let’s watch and see what happens….
This has been a really good read . been looking for this for since. thank you a lot.
i cant believe that this scam was ever signed in to legislature, ive always been pretty poor, my family haws never made more than 30,000, and i get stuck with these ridiculous surcharges and i didn’t even drive drunk i could’nt fet my tags renewed for my car and i was driving with no insurance! i paid the initial tickets and then i get these surcharges in the mail! i can’t afford to pay for these, so im stuck and it is so hard for me to get to school and work now, its been hell, and i hear it from people all the time
I think its highway robery and that this
should be investigated by the watch dog to
see where all this money is really going.
it sounds like another politition get rich
schem to me.a one year fine would be more
justified and would make the payment plan
look more posible.But this is more looking
like if your rich you can drive. if you can’t
pay your srcrewed.
We pay a surcharge and I been paying for one for almost 3 years, it is alot. Look I understand when you do the crime you have to pay for what you did, I get it but 3,000 for 3 years is alot of money. It is hard enough paying the fine and probation and classes and now the interlock on the car.. I just don’t understand the surcharge at all why after you are done with probation would you still have to pay a surcharge…
One of the major problems I see with the program is that, while your license is suspended the charges accrue. How can it be called a “Driver Responibility Program” if I am not driving? Also if you miss a payment you are then required to pay the amount in full & booted from any payment plan, with your license once again suspended. The state wants your money but provides no way for you to work without being a burden on either friends or family. I am a responible tax paying homeowner in this state, once again love your country but do not trust your government!!!!
DWI Surcharges are rediculous, its pretty much falls in the category of double jeopardy. which if i’m correct! You CAN’T be punished for the same crime twice. not only do you recieve probation, along with court fines, and classes. Then you have to pay 1,000 a year for 3 years. no wonder the surcharge debt is upto a billion.
State of Texas breeds hatred and terrorism through this actions.