Bexar County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Bexar County, TX: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Bexar County can be a disorienting experience. Serving the greater San Antonio metropolitan area, the local carceral system processes thousands of detainees annually, including a high volume of DWI arrests. This guide provides a step-by-step overview of what happens after a DUI arrest in Bexar County, the critical deadlines you face, and the resources available to help you navigate the legal process.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

After being arrested for DUI in Bexar County, the initial hours are crucial. Here’s a timeline of what to expect:

1. Arrest and Booking: You'll be taken into custody by an officer from an agency like the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) or the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) and transported to a detention facility. The primary intake and housing facility is the Bexar County Adult Detention Center (ADC) located at 200 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207.

2. Booking Process: At the ADC, you'll undergo booking, which includes fingerprinting, photographing, and a medical screening. This process can take several hours. For individuals with active warrants for serious offenses, processing occurs at the Justice Intake and Assessment Annex (JIAA), also located at 200 North Comal Street.

3. Phone Calls: After booking, you will typically be allowed to make a phone call. Use this call to contact a licensed bail bondsman or a family member who can assist with posting bail.

4. Magistration: Within 24-48 hours of your arrest, you will appear before a magistrate. The magistrate will inform you of the charges against you and set your bail amount.

5. Bail: Bail is the amount of money required to secure your release from jail. In Bexar County, you can post bail using cash, a surety bond through a licensed bail bondsman, or potentially a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond. The prevailing premium rate for a surety bond is 10% of the total bond amount, which is non-refundable.

It’s important to note that if you are intoxicated at the time of your arrest, you may be subject to a "Cool Down" period, which can delay your release even after bail has been posted. This hold can last 6 to 12 hours, until you are no longer a danger to yourself or others.

Critical Deadlines

Missing deadlines can have serious consequences in a DUI case. Here are the key dates to keep in mind:

• ALR Hearing Request: You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Failure to request a hearing within this timeframe will result in the automatic suspension of your driver’s license on the 40th day after your arrest. You can request a hearing online.

• Court Appearance: You will receive a notice with your court date. It is crucial to appear in court on the scheduled date. Failure to appear can result in a warrant for your arrest.

DUI Enforcement in Bexar County

While specific DUI checkpoint locations are not publicly released, it is important to understand that DWI enforcement is a priority for law enforcement agencies in Bexar County. SAPD officers have the discretion, under Procedure 507, to divert suspects with a BAC below 0.08 and 21 years of age or older to the Growdon Storage Facility (located at 3625 Growdon Road) to recover their vehicle and be released to a responsible party.

Local Resources

• Bexar County Courthouse: 100 Dolorosa St., Suite B10.2, San Antonio, TX.

• Booking and Release Satellite Office: Located in the Basement of the Bexar County Courthouse at 100 Dolorosa St., Suite B10.2, San Antonio, TX 78207. Verify eligibility and warrant status by calling 210-335-2592 prior to surrender.

• Adult Detention Center (ADC): 200 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. The primary point of contact for the public regarding facility operations is the administrative line at 210-335-6315.

• Inmate/Bond Information Line: 210-335-6201.

• Bexar County Bail Bond Board Administrator: Ethel Segura, 210-335-3933.

• Pretrial Services: 222 S. Comal, Suite 124, 210-335-8964.

• BCSO Property and Evidence Room: 127 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. Visitors must use Door "C" and alert staff via the black call button. Appointments must be scheduled by calling 210-335-6092 or emailing BCSOproperty@bexar.org.

• To find a licensed bail bondsman, you can consult the Bexar County Bail Bond Board for a list of approved providers.

What Makes Bexar County Different

Several factors set Bexar County apart in terms of DUI enforcement and processing:

• Booking and Release Satellite Office: Bexar County offers a Booking and Release Satellite Office located in the Basement of the Bexar County Courthouse, specifically at 100 Dolorosa St., Suite B10.2. This allows individuals with warrants for eligible non-violent offenses to surrender, process their warrant, and post bond without being booked into the general jail population.

• "Cool Down" Periods: Bexar County protocols acknowledge the need for a "Cool Down" period for intoxicated detainees. This means that even if bail is posted, you may be held until you are no longer a danger to yourself or others.

• The Texas Organizing Project (TOP): This organization operates a "Right2Justice" campaign, employing "Community Bail Disruptors" to identify and assist indigent defendants detained solely due to poverty.

• "Cite and Release" Program: Bexar County employs a "Cite and Release" program for certain low-level offenses, including Marijuana possession (Class B and A), Theft of Property or Service ($100-$750), Criminal Mischief ($100-$750), and Driving While License Invalid.

Understanding these unique aspects of the Bexar County system can help you navigate the process more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. Where is the Bexar County Adult Detention Center located?*The Bexar County Adult Detention Center (ADC) is located at 200 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207.

**2. How do I find out the bail amount for someone arrested in Bexar County?*You can call the Inmate/Bond Information Line at 210-335-6201. You will need to provide the inmate's full name and date of birth.

**3. How do I retrieve property from the Bexar County Jail?*Contact the BCSO Property and Evidence Room at 127 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207, Door "C". You must schedule an appointment by calling 210-335-6092 or emailing BCSOproperty@bexar.org.

Find a local DUI attorney in our attorney directory or browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Bexar County.

Sources

• SAPD - Impounded Vehicles
• SOAH - Attend Virtual Hearing or Mediation
• SOAH - Visiting San Antonio
• SOAH - Representing Yourself - ALR
• SOAH - General Hearings Schedule
• DPS - Driver License Services Appointments
• DPS - Occupational Driver License
• DPS - ALR Program
• DPS - Hearing Requests
• DPS - Office Locations
• TxDMV - San Antonio Regional Service Center
• TxDMV - Bexar County Tax Office
• SOAH - Representing Yourself - General Hearings Cases State Office Administrative Hearings

After requesting your ALR hearing with the Texas DPS, gather all relevant documentation related to your arrest, including the arrest report and any breath or blood test results.