In a bid to reshape the criminal justice approach toward non-violent substance offenders, Hays County Commissioners Court took a decisive step on April 8 by passing a resolution to establish a DWI & Drug Court Program, as reported by Hays County's official website. The new court program is a collaborative effort between the County Court and District Court aimed at swapping the traditional sentencing methods for more rehabilitative ones, offering offenders with substance abuse issues a chance for recovery and accountability.
With an initiative underscored by community collaboration and comprehensive treatment, Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins shared with Hays County, "The goal here will always be sobriety." He emphasized the significant shift in perspective, stating, "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." Higgins conveyed his office's readiness to evaluate potential cases and recommend individuals for the program.
Also shaping this new landscape of the county’s legal system, Judge Alicia Key expressed why she champions the DWI & Drug Court Program. Key pointed out to Hays County the stark reality faced by individuals who are incarcerated due to drug addictions, suggesting that the program not only aids them in returning as active society members but also alleviates the burden on jails. "These programs help [offenders] get out of jail and help them be productive members of society instead of being a drain," Key said.
Adding to the conversation, Hays County Paralegal Matthew Hammons, the named DWI & Drug Court facilitator, noted the urgency, with over 260 cases deemed eligible for such intervention last year. Hammons told Hays County that the program provides "accountability, structure, incentives for good behavior and personal support for offenders," thus affirming that change is within reach. In his words, "It’s more than a court; it’s a combat for their lives."
The program is set to begin operations by Dec. 1, 2025, and is seen as a pivotal move in making Hays County's justice system more efficient and humane, especially as it addresses the growing concern over substance abuse-related crimes within the region.
