If you’re charged with driving while intoxicated, assault family violence, possession of marijuana, drug offenses, theft, shoplifting or practically any other offense the odds are pretty good that it will be a condition of your bond that you attend some kind of counseling.

Generally, completing some kind of counseling can only help your case. Of course, you’ll want to consult with your attorney before you take any action, but here are some things to keep in mind.

1) Assessment

In Travis County (i.e. Austin, Texas), you’ll likely be referred to the Travis County Counseling and Education Service Center (“TCCES”). The counselor at TCCES will have you take an assessment test. The initial test is usually made up of multiple choice questions and might be followed up with a one-on-one interview with a counselor. It’s important to remember that the amount of counseling TCCES recommends is determined by how you respond to the questions.

If counseling is a bond requirement and TCCES recommends a certain level of counseling you’re required to complete all the counseling recommended or risk having your bond revoked. When completing the assessment do not talk about the facts of your case (always be polite about it). It’s always best to talk to your lawyer before you have the assessment done.

2) Driving While Intoxicated Counseling

I always recommend that my clients complete at least a 12-hour DWI Education class and attend a Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel (sometimes called a MADD Panel). Completing the counseling is not an admission of guilt and if often helps with the resolution of your case.

If your case is in Williamson County I also recommend that you watch a “Jacqueline Video.” It looks something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OBBqe6Wo1c. You’ll need to watch it at the Williamson County Attorney’s Office so check with your attorney. It’s free and is only about 15 minutes long. The County Attorney’s Office will give you certificate confirming that you watched it.

Below is a list of places in Austin, Texas where you may take a 12-Hour driving while intoxicated class. It’s important that the class you take is state-certified (there are no state-certified online classes). The list below was current as of this posting.

  • Acc Adep, 5930 Middle Fiskille Rd., Austin, Texas 78752 (512) 565-1699
  • Ads Alcohol Edu. Prog., 2049 W. Stassney Lane, Austin, Texas 78745 (512) 447-2365
  • Alcohol & Drug Awareness Institute, 8711 Burnet Rd., Ste. A-1, Austin, Texas 78757 (512) 459-3940
  • Angels DWI Education Program, 5221 E. Cesar Chavez, Austin, Texas 78702 (512) 385-0638
  • Austin Education Services, 7801 N. Lamar, Ste. D-109, Austin, Texas 78752 (512) 422-1370
  • Changes, Austin, Texas 8711 Burnet Rd., Ste. A3, Austin, Texas 78757 (512) 257-0066
  • Education Resource, 1110 West William Cannon, Ste 302, Austin, Texas 78745 (512) 786-3673
  • Travis County Counseling and Education Services, 5501 Airport Blvd., Ste. 102, Austin, Texas 78753 (512) 854-6421
  • A New Entry, 9600 Great Hills Trail Ste 150 West, Austin, Texas 78759 (512) 524-8982
  • A New Entry, 6633 Highway 290 East, Austin, Texas 78723 (512) 524-8982
  • Acc Adep, 7748 Highway 290 West, Austin, Texas 78736 (512) 565-1699
  • Acc Adep, 1212 Rio Grande St., Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 565-1699
  • Acc Adep, 3401 Webberville Rd., Austin, Texas 78702 (512) 565-1699
  • Acc Adep, 1820 West Stassney Ln., Austin, Texas 78745 (512) 565-1699
  • Acc Adep, 11928 Stonehollow Dr., Austin, Texas 78758 (512) 565-1699
  • Acc Adep, 11928 Stonehollow Dr., Austin, Texas 78758 (512) 565-1699
  • Ads Alcohol Edu. Prog., 7113 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757 (512) 447-2365

Check out Victim Impact Panel website for more information. The Victim Impact Panel is usually two hours long and costs about $20.

3) Drug and Possession of Marijuana Counseling

If charged with any possession of cocaine, heroin, or any drug offense including possession of marijuana the first and best thing you can do is stop your drug use. You may be subject to drug testing as a condition of your bond. If you fail a drug test the court could revoke your bond and put you back in jail.

For possession of marijuana charges it’s very helpful if you compete a drug offender education class. The class is 15 hours long and costs roughly $90. TCCES (mentioned above) offers a class and below are places where you may attend a class in Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown. Just like the DWI class, you’ll need to make sure the class you take is state certified. Unfortunately, as of this writing, there are no online state certified places to take a drug offender class.

Travis County

  • Alcohol And Drug Awareness Institute, 8711 Burnet Road Suite A-1, Travis County (512) 459-3940
  • Athens Education, 111 W Anderson Suite E328, Travis County (512) 452-0808
  • Austin Drug & Alcohol Abuse Program, 7801 N Lamar Ste D-109, Travis County (512) 454-8180
  • Consult Ed, 7901 Cameron Rd. #3-382, Travis County (512) 902-9028
  • Org, 6633 E. Hwy 290 #10, Travis County (512) 524-8982
  • Education Resource, 1110 West William Cannon Suite 302, Travis County (512) 786-3673
  • Travis County Counseling And Education Services, 5501 Airport Blvd #102, Travis County (512) 854-6421

Williamson County

  • A & A Drug And Alcohol Education, 575 Round Rock W Dr Ste 400, Williamson County (877) 536-7659
  • Amdt Drug Offender Education Program, 402 W. Palm Valley Blvd., Ste. H, Williamson County (512) 507-5983
  • Lifesteps: Williamson Council On Alcohol And Drugs, 2105 North Mays Street, Williamson County (512) 246-9880

4) Shoplifting and Theft Classes

Like driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana charges if you’re charged with shoplifting or theft it helps if you take a theft class. TCCES offers the class in Travis County. It lasts eight hours and costs $74. You may call TCCES at 512-854-9540 to schedule the class. Generally it’s broken up into two evening classes.