If you are charged with felony DWI
Why is the program good for me?
If you are guilty of your third or more DWI case, Felony Alcohol Intervention Project, FAIP, Tarrant County’s DWI Court Program, will help you achieve a sober lifestyle. FAIP offers a shorter probation term and less expensive probation fees for most felony DWI defendants. Being part of FAIP allows you to have expedited access to treatment.
What is the program?
The program, intensively supervised by Judge Sharen Wilson of Criminal District Court No.1, will assist you in living a sober life. And as a result, increase public safety by reducing injuries and deaths resulting from alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes.
The DWI court program, FAIP, consists of five phases, each decreasing in intensity. Supervision officers monitor your progress and help you achieve and maintain a crime and substance-free lifestyle.
Sobriety is an attainable goal through this program. A phase five participant in the program said, “The program has given me everything in the world…you can change your life in this program, I am living proof.”
When in the program, you will undergo intensive community and judicial supervision. In addition, you will have to regularly attend AA meetings, which will help you on your personal road to sobriety. Some additional components of the program are listed below.
- Alternative Transportation Plans- family, friends, biking, walking, public transportation
- Secured Continued Remote Alcohol Monitoring- SCRAM device
- Curfew- 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Home Visits and Searches
- Victim Offender Panel
- Ignition Interlock
- FAIP group support
The DWI program has a very high success rate when you get strong support from your friends, family, and AA group and sponsor. These people are important in helping you to obtain and maintain sobriety and avoid relapse.
Would I be eligible for the program?
First, you need to be ready to choose sobriety. In addition to this commitment, you must also comply with the criteria listed below:
- 17 years old or older
- A resident of Tarrant County
- Charged with a felony DWI
- Be a legal U.S. resident
- Not currently on parole or probation
- Have no pending possession or unlawful possession of firearm cases
- Have no prior involuntary or intoxication manslaughter convictions
- Have no prior convictions or pending cases for murder, capital murder, indecency with a child, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, sexual assault, or any crime using or exhibiting a deadly weapon
- Final approval by the FAIP team
When you meet the initial requirements for the program, your lawyer will be contacted. You should schedule a meeting with your attorney, who will help to guide you through the rest of the legal process.
If your client is charged with felony DWI
How does FAIP benefit my client?
In Tarrant County, the DA’s office recommends a standard punishment for most felony DWI cases of 10 years in prison probated for 10 years, $ 1,250 fine, up to $7,200 in probation fees and 120 days in jail.
FAIP participants are sentenced on a plea of guilty to 7 years in prison probated for 4 years, part of the fine is suspended, $2,880 in probation fees, 10 days in jail, and less expensive treatment.
What is the DWI Program?
The program, intensively supervised by Judge Sharen Wilson of Criminal District Court No. 1, gives your client the tools to live a sober life, and as a result, increases public safety by reducing injuries and deaths resulting from alcohol related motor vehicle crashes. The program is designed to provide intensive treatment specifically designed for the repeat DWI offender through judicially supervised intensive community supervision. The mission of the program is to provide early intervention in the alcoholic’s course of abuse.
Is your client eligible?
In order for your client to be eligible for the program, he must be ready to choose sobriety.
The FAIP coordinator reviews the records on every defendant who has a case filed for felony DWI in Tarrant County to determine if the person meets the initial criteria, which are the following:
- 17 years old or older
- Resident of Tarrant County
- Charged with a felony DWI
- Legal U.S. resident
- Not currently on parole or probation
- Have no pending possession or unlawful possession of firearm cases
- Have no prior involuntary or intoxication manslaughter convictions
- Have no prior convictions or pending cases for murder, capital murder, indecency with a child, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, sexual assault or any crime using or exhibiting a deadly weapon
If the initial criteria are met, the court coordinator sends notice by way of email to the defense attorney inviting the attorney and/or offender to contact the DWI Program (FAIP) for an interview (PSI) for admission into the program. Those that are interested should respond to the program (FAIP) within two weeks of receiving the letter.
The pre-sentence investigation (PSI) has many components. The client must attend the PSI interview and the attorney can choose to attend also. The offender must sign a PSI waiver of confidentiality. The interview will be conducted at CSCD PSI unit or in jail if the offender is incarcerated. In addition, the screening will analyze the following: drug dependence, mental health, chronic physical conditions, offender’s version of the offense, and, hobbies and interests of the offender. A motivational questionnaire and urine analysis are also required. The offender must agree to comply with all conditions of the program.
Once the PSI is completed, the FAIP team meets, discusses the suitability of each applicant and decides on admission. If approved, the FAIP coordinator sets a court date for plea of guilty in Criminal District Court No. 1. Thereafter, Judge Wilson supervises the defendant under CCP 42.12 §10 (a).
Benefits:
The program allows the potential candidate a shorter term of probation, treatment provided at lesser cost, and most important of all--a lifetime of sobriety.
