Court-Mandated Counseling in Austin, TX & Travis County

If you face charges for driving while intoxicated, assault family violence, possession of marijuana, or other drug offenses, theft, shoplifting or practically any other offense, a court may require you to attend counseling as a condition of your bond.

Completing a counseling or treatment program can generally help your case. Of course, you should consult with your attorney before you take any action. Here is some information to keep in mind about the process.

1. Drug and Alcohol Assessment

In Travis County, you will likely be referred to the Travis County Counseling and Education Service Center (TCCES) for an evaluation. A counselor at TCCES will have you take a substance abuse assessment to determine your counseling needs. This initial drug and alcohol assessment is usually made up of multiple-choice questions. It might be followed by a one-on-one interview with a counselor.

It is important to remember that the amount of counseling TCCES recommends is determined by this assessment. The evaluation will ask about your history of drug or alcohol use.

If counseling is a bond requirement, you must complete the recommended treatment. If you fail to complete the required drug or alcohol treatment, you risk having your bond revoked. When completing the assessment, do not talk about the facts of your case. Answering questions honestly is important, but you are not required to incriminate yourself. We recommend you speak to your lawyer before you have any drug assessment in Austin.

2. Driving While Intoxicated Counseling

For 1st offense DWI charges, we always recommend our clients complete a 12-hour DWI Education class. We also suggest they attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Impact Panel. The Victim Impact Panel website offers more information. The Victim Impact Panel is usually two hours long and costs about $20. Completing this counseling is not an admission of guilt and the Texas Rules of Evidence prohibit the use of substance abuse counseling against you at trial. For

For 2nd Offense DWI charges, you should complete the longer DWI Intervention Class. This proactive step often helps with the resolution of your case and shows the court you are taking the charge seriously.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) provides a searchable list of state-certified DWI classes in Austin, TX. It is important that the class you take is state-certified.

If your case is in Williamson County, we also recommend that you watch a “Jacqueline Video.” You will need to watch it at the Williamson County Attorney’s Office, so check with your attorney first. It’s free and is only about 15 minutes long. The County Attorney’s Office will give you a certificate confirming that you watched it.

3. Drug and Possession of Marijuana Counseling

If you are charged with any drug offense, including possession of cocaine, heroin, or marijuana, the best thing you can do is stop all substance use. You may be subject to drug testing as a condition of your bond. Any continued substance use could cause a failed drug test. This may result in the court revoking your bond and putting you in jail. This is a serious consequence of drug abuse while on bond.

For possession of marijuana charges, it is very helpful if you complete a drug offender education program. This class is a 15-hour class that costs about $90. TCCES offers this class, and the TDLR provides a list of certified services. The TDLR classes include education about Texas law, substance abuse information, and ways to change behavior. Just like the DWI class, you must ensure the drug treatment program you take is state-certified.

4. Shoplifting and Theft Classes

Like with DWI and drug charges, taking a theft class can be helpful if you face shoplifting or theft charges. TCCES offers these educational services in Travis County. The class lasts eight hours and costs $74. You may contact TCCES by phone at 512-854-9540 to schedule the class. Generally, it’s broken up into two evening classes or an all-day Saturday class.

5. Assault Counseling

If you’re charged with Assault or Assault Family Violence, often taking a Batter’s Intervention Prevention Class (BIPP) can be helpful. BIPP classes come in various lengths, and we can help guide you to the best class. Sometimes an assault case can be resolved by taking only an anger management class.

We can help walk the fine line between doing excessive counseling and doing counseling that will actually benefit your case. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that some counseling is necessary. If the counseling is not excessive and results in a dismissal of our case, the easy choice is to get it done.

6. Private Counseling

For certain types of cases and clients, it may be best to have a licensed therapist or other mental health professional provide counseling. We have many providers we can refer clients to so that the counseling fits the best needs of the client and the case.

We Can Help

Navigating the requirements of a criminal charge can be difficult. Our attorneys have extensive experience guiding clients through every step. We provide aggressive representation to protect your rights. If you have questions about an alcohol assessment, substance abuse treatment, or any other condition of your bond, please call us. We are available by phone 24/7 to help.

Having served as former prosecutors gives us unique insight into how the other side works. For a consultation to discuss your case and the services we offer, contact us today.