Legal Question in DUI Law in Texas

Judge orders AA once a month on ODL

Is it normal in Fort Worth for a judge to order attendance at a AA meeting once a month as a condition to hold a occupational drivers licance ? Lost ALR case on 1st DWI arrest. No breath test taken.


Asked on 3/06/07, 10:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Armstrong The Law Office of John W. Armstrong

Re: Judge orders AA once a month on ODL

Texas law allows a Judge to order anyone who is requesting an ODL, to attend alcohol counseling. However, there is federal case law that states that a state court cannot order someone to attend AA meetings because it violates "the separation of Church and State." However, the last time I saw that presented to a judge, it only worked for the moment, in that the Judge immediately began ordering everyone to attend Alcohol counseling at Counseling Centers which cost everyone $10.00 per person as opposed to being "free" to attend AA meetings. So if I were you, I would attend, and let it ride, but you can always talk with your attorney, and let him find the case and present it to the Judge, but do not say you weren't warned.

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Answered on 3/06/07, 11:01 pm


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