On April 8, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a resolution to establish a Driving While Intoxicated DWI and Drug Court Program.
The program is a county court and district court specialized judicial initiative, designed to reduce substance- related offenses by providing an alternative to traditional sentencing. The joint endeavor focuses on rehabilitation rather than incarceration, targeting non-violent offenders with substance abuse disorders.
Through judicial oversight, comprehensive treatment and community collaboration, this program is dedicated to enhancing public safety and reducing repeat offenses by providing a structured, accountability-driven program for qualifying individuals with drug and alcohol-related offenses.
Its creation received support from court officials across the county. Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins explained that his office will review cases for eligibility and recommend defendants if they’re a good fit for the program.
“The goal here will always be sobriety,” Higgins said. “Our office looks forward to participating with these dockets so we can be more efficient with our jail [population], and our interactions with people who have addictions will be more meaningful. These aren’t the kind of people who deserve punitive measures; they deserve therapeutic measures, and they deserve treatment. This is more humane.”
Judge Alicia Key also spoke in favor of the program, noting it was one of her goals in running for office.
“Looking at state and countywide statistics, how many people are sitting in our jails because they have addiction problems? Drugs are ruling their lives,” Key said. “These programs help [offenders] get out of jail and help them be productive members of society instead of being a drain.”
Hays County Paralegal Matthew Hammons, the DWI & Drug Court facilitator, noted that there were 260 or more eligible cases for this type of program last year, and the need will only increase as the county grows.
“We provide accountability, structure, incentives for good behavior and personal support for offenders,” Hammons said. “Change is possible and is worth striving for. It’s more than a court; it’s a combat for their lives.”
The DWI & Drug Court program has a tentative start date of Dec. 1, 2025.
