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...

The bail bond system exists to ensure that individuals charged with crimes appear for their court dates as required while allowing them to move freely between booking and arraignment. If you or a loved one needs immediate legal representation after an arrest in Houston, contact a Houston bail bond lawyer today. After someone has...

Animal cruelty laws exist to protect animals from neglect, abuse, and mistreatment, and each state has unique animal cruelty laws everyone should know. A new United States House Bill seeks to make animal cruelty a federal offense, and the bill apparently shows strong bipartisan support. In the meantime, Texas residents should know how the...