El Paso County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in El Paso County, TX: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in El Paso County initiates a complex legal process that demands immediate and precise action. You're not just facing criminal charges in the El Paso County Courts at Law; you're also engaged in a high-stakes administrative battle with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding your driving privileges. This guide provides a tactical overview of the steps you must take to protect your rights, secure your release, and navigate the complexities of the El Paso County legal system.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DWI arrest in El Paso County, you will be taken into custody by either the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) or the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO). Regardless of the arresting agency, the destination for processing in most urban DWI cases is the Downtown Detention Facility located at 601 E. Overland, El Paso, TX 79901.

Here's a general timeline of what to expect:

1. Arrest and Booking: Upon arrival at the Downtown Detention Facility, you will be placed in a holding cell. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and a local criminal history check. Fingerprint processing costs $10.00 per card, and the local criminal history check costs $6.00. A case research fee of $20.00 is also applied.

2. Phone Calls: You will typically be allowed to make a phone call after the booking process is complete. Use this opportunity to contact family, a licensed bail bondsman, or a DUI attorney.

3. Magistrate Appearance: Texas law requires you to appear before a magistrate "without unnecessary delay," typically within 24 to 48 hours of your arrest. The magistrate will inform you of the charges against you and set your bail amount. The magistrate relies on information from the El Paso County Justice Services Department (Pretrial Services) to assess flight risk and community safety.

4. Bail: After the magistrate sets bail, you have several options for securing release:

• Cash Bond: Deposit the full bail amount with the Sheriff.
• Surety Bond (Bail Bondsman): A bondsman posts the full bail amount; you pay a non-refundable fee (typically 10-15%).
• Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: Release based on a promise to appear, administered by the El Paso County Justice Services Department.

Critical Deadlines

• ALR Hearing Request: You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to contest the suspension of your driver's license.
• Court Appearance: Your initial court appearance date will be set sometime after your release. This is when you will formally be advised of the charges against you and enter a plea.
• License Suspension: If you do not request an ALR hearing, your license will be automatically suspended 40 days after your arrest.

DUI Enforcement in El Paso County

The El Paso Police Department (EPPD) and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) are the primary agencies responsible for DUI enforcement in El Paso County. The arrest location determines the impound location. The Downtown Detention Facility is located at 601 E. Overland, El Paso, TX 79901.

Local Resources

• El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility: 601 E. Overland, El Paso, TX 79901
• El Paso County Sheriff's Impound / Abandoned Motor Vehicle (AMV) Section: Contact (915) 538-2009 or (915) 546-2280. Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• United Road Vehicle Management Solutions (URVMS): 11615 Railroad Drive, El Paso, Texas 79934. Phone: (915) 212-0205. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• El Paso County Online Payments: https://www.offenderconnect.com/portal?action=FACILITYPAGES&siteID=51
• Finding a Licensed Bail Bondsman: The El Paso County Bail Bond Board regulates the bail bond industry. Ensure the bondsman you choose is on the "Active Bonding Companies Master List."

What Makes El Paso County Different

Several factors make navigating a DUI arrest in El Paso County unique:

• Bifurcated Impound System: The location where your vehicle is impounded depends entirely on whether you were arrested by the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) or the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO). EPPD uses URVMS, while EPCSO uses the Sheriff's Impound.
• "Weekend Trap" at Sheriff's Impound: If arrested by the Sheriff's Office on a Friday evening, you may not be able to retrieve your vehicle until Monday morning due to the restricted hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), leading to increased storage fees.
• Bondsman Requirements: Bail bondsmen in El Paso County typically require a co-signer and collateral to secure a surety bond. They are essentially underwriting an insurance policy on your appearance.
• Importance of Pretrial Services Interview: Providing accurate and verifiable information during your interview with Pretrial Services is crucial for obtaining a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond, which allows release without posting cash or a surety fee.
• Active Bonding Companies Master List: The bail bond industry in El Paso is strictly regulated by the El Paso County Bail Bond Board. Using an inactive or suspended company will result in the Sheriff rejecting the bond, extending jail time.
• Proximity of Bondsmen: Bondsmen located physically closer to the Downtown Detention Facility (specifically on Overland, Kansas, or Myrtle streets) often have faster processing times.
• Notification Fee Cliff: The Notification Fee ($50) is triggered between 24 and 48 hours after impoundment. Call (915) 212-0205 to check for holds.
• Registration Retrieval: The vehicle registration is often in the glovebox of the impounded vehicle. Inform the lot attendant immediately, and they will usually escort you to the vehicle to retrieve it.
• Alternative ID: If your driver's license was seized, you must use an alternative government ID (Passport, State ID card) or the temporary driving permit issued by the police (if accepted) to retrieve your vehicle.

Contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office at (915) 538-2009 or (915) 546-2280 to determine impound location details.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where will my car be impounded if I am arrested for DUI in El Paso County? If you were arrested by the El Paso Police Department (EPPD), your vehicle will be impounded at United Road Vehicle Management Solutions (URVMS) located at 11615 Railroad Drive. If you were arrested by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO), your vehicle will be taken to the Sheriff's Impound / Abandoned Motor Vehicle (AMV) Section.

2. What is a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond, and how do I get one in El Paso County? A PR bond allows release without posting cash or a surety fee. The magistrate relies on information provided by the El Paso County Justice Services Department (Pretrial Services) to determine if a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond is appropriate. It's important to provide accurate, verifiable information regarding local residency, employment, and family ties during your interview with Pretrial Services.

3. What happens if my driver's license was seized during the DUI arrest in El Paso County, and I need to retrieve my car from the impound lot? If your driver's license was seized by the police, you must use an alternative government ID (Passport, State ID card) or the temporary driving permit issued by the police (if accepted) to retrieve your vehicle.

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

Sources

• El Paso County Online Payments
• United Road Vehicle Management Solutions (URVMS)