All Potential Houston DWI DIVERT Candidates Should Get PR Bonds
One of the requirements of the Harris County District Attorney's Office for anyone arrested for drunk driving or DWI to be considered for the DIVERT program is that they do not have any prior incidents with law enforcement. This is the initial consideration for anyone that is going to enter the DIVERT program. When a person is arrested for any crime in Harris County, Texas an appropriate bond is to be assigned. Typically, a first offender's bond for a DWI in Houston, Harris County will be $500. I have noticed lately that more personal recognizance bonds are being given for first time offenders. This should be the rule instead of the exception for anyone that is a candidate for DIVERT in Harris County, Texas. Some may say that if someone can not make a $500 bond they will not be able to pay for all the fees associated with the program. Nonetheless, Judge Roger Bridgwater indicated at the initial DIVERT meeting with the defense bar that there would be a sliding scale for those that could not afford all the fees for the DIVERT program. Granting a PR bond would offset the future costs for the person, allow them to be on bond while going through the DIVERT process and not have someone incarcerated for something that is going to take months to resolve.
