Taylor County DWI Guide

DUI Arrest in Taylor County, TX: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Taylor County can be a stressful and confusing experience. In 2023, there were 523 DWI arrests in Taylor County, with the Abilene Police Department responsible for the majority of those arrests. This guide provides essential information about what to expect and the steps you need to take following a DUI arrest in Taylor County.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

Following a DUI arrest in Taylor County, you will typically be taken to the Taylor County Detention Center, located at 450 Pecan St, Abilene, TX 79602. The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and a medical screening. You will also have to wait for a magistrate to review your case and set bail. The booking/inmate lookup phone number is (325) 691-7422. You can also try to locate your name on the online inmate search.

After booking, you'll be allowed to make phone calls. Use this opportunity to contact family, and Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Taylor County in our bail bond directory.

Bail amounts in Taylor County for a first-offense Class B Misdemeanor DWI typically range from $500 to $2,500. After a bail bond has been posted, processed, and verified by the court, the release process generally takes about 90 minutes.

Critical Deadlines

Several critical deadlines must be met following a DUI arrest:

• ALR Hearing: 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: You will receive a notice of your first court appearance date. Missing this date can result in a warrant for your arrest.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): If charged with a subsequent DWI offense or if your BAC was over 0.15, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 17.15 mandates that magistrates order the installation of an IID as a condition of bond. You have 30 days from the date of your release to install the device.

DUI Enforcement in Taylor County

Law enforcement in Taylor County actively enforces DWI laws. While traditional sobriety checkpoints are deemed unconstitutional under Texas law, agencies rely on saturation patrols and "No Refusal" initiatives. Saturation patrols are concentrated along Interstate 20, Business 20, the downtown Abilene entertainment districts, and near university campuses.

During "No Refusal" weekends, which coincide with major holidays and events, law enforcement collaborates with magistrates and medical personnel to expedite blood search warrants for drivers who refuse breath or field sobriety tests. Peak enforcement hours are typically between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Local Resources

• Taylor County Detention Center: 450 Pecan St, Abilene, TX 79602, (325) 691-7422.
• Taylor County Vehicle Registration: 400 Oak St, Abilene, TX 79602, (325) 674-1224. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.
• Texas Department of Public Safety (Abilene): 1102 E Lowden St, Abilene, TX 79601, (325) 695-0988. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Tuesday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Texas Department of Public Safety (Anson): 1110 W Court Plaza, Anson, TX 79501, (325) 823-3631. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Abilene Police Vehicle Impound: 2349 Sandy St, Abilene, TX 79601, (325) 676-6089.

What Makes Taylor County Different

Taylor County has several unique aspects related to DUI enforcement and adjudication:

• Taylor County operates the Taylor County Hybrid Recovery Court, also known as a SOBER court, which addresses the root causes of recidivism among repeat offenders.
• The Taylor County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) maintains a specialized DWI/Interlock caseload, with specially trained probation officers managing high-risk DWI offenders.
• The Abilene Police Department utilizes third-party online auction platforms, specifically renebates.com, to rapidly liquidate abandoned or unclaimed vehicles from its impound lot at 2349 Sandy St.
• DWI saturation patrols are heavily concentrated along the Interstate 20 corridor, the Business 20 route, the downtown Abilene entertainment districts, and the immediate perimeters of the university campuses.

If your vehicle was impounded and you believe there was no probable cause, you have 14 days from the date of the tow (excluding weekends and holidays) to file a written request for a Tow Hearing with the Justice of the Peace (JP) court that has jurisdiction over the precinct where the vehicle was towed from. The filing fee is $41.00.