If you have been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in the Houston, Texas area, the pressure on you can be intense. A conviction for DWI can cost you thousands of dollars, the loss of your driving privileges, and even your freedom. The stakes are even higher in cases where you were arrested for DWI with a child passenger or seriously injured another person while driving drunk.
But this likely isn't the full extent of the stress you face. If you have never been arrested before, the entire criminal justice system can seem daunting.
There are dozens of courts in and around Houston. Which one are you supposed to appear at? Who is in charge of prosecuting your case?
Does it make any difference which county you were arrested in? These are all good questions. While this page can provide you with some answers, it is important that you actually discuss your case with an experienced Houston DWI defense attorney. Your attorney will be able to guide you on the court you must appear in and what to expect when you get there. Doug Murphy has years of experience defending the rights of the accused in the Houston area.
How your Houston DWI charge progresses depends largely on the county you are arrested in. Houston is the 4th-largest city in the nation with the population spread across multiple counties. Each county has its own series of courts, and the way your case progresses can vary greatly depending on the county. The bulk of the population resides in the three largest counties: Harris , Fort Bend , and Montgomery. Harris County is by far the largest county with over 4 million residents.
