Legal Question in Traffic Law in Texas

I got a ticket for reckless driving in Houston Texas. I was taken to the Harris County jail - where I remained for 36 hours - until I had been processed. My attorney had the case reset 2 times and on the 3rd time the criminal court judge levied a fine of $900 payable in 6 weeks. I do not have that much money. It is my understanding that if I can't pay the fine - I will spend 20 days in jail. Is there anything that I can do and also that fee seems very high to me. Thank you in advance for your assistance.


Asked on 6/12/11, 1:32 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Keith Engelke Law Office of S. Keith Engelke

It sounds like you accepted a plea bargain. I do not practice in Harris County and am unable to comment on the reasonableness of your sentence. I suggest you investigate getting work release in jail (you go to work and sleep in jail). Another issue to investigate, is whether the sheriff grants good time credit. In Bexar County, prisoners who are well behaved get an additional day's credit for each day served, which would reduce your 20 day sentence to 10 days. You should also investigate "trusty" status. In Bexar county, jail inmates who are "trustys" which means that they would work in the jail say in the kitchen or in the laundry, get 2 days for each day served, which would reduce your 20 day sentence to about a week. This is much cheaper than a $900 fine.

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Answered on 6/12/11, 8:31 am


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