I got a DWI. For the first offense, it's 3-180 days, I think. They say chances of doing any time for the first one are small, but I wonder, just the same.

Can anyone tell me where you would go, if the offense was in Houston? Where is the jail?

And what's it like? Better than the City jail I hope? Can you bring a book? soap? toothpaste? fruit or some decent food? What do you wear? Can you exercise?

And what's it like for people on probation who just have to do some time... I heard that you can go in on weekends or whenever you want.

And is it better to try to make friends in there, or to just "lay low".

I don't know all what to ask because I'm so inexperienced. Any information would be appreciated.

It depends if you were sentenced to prison or jail. If its jail then you will be somewhere downtown most probably but if its prison then you go where they have space. In prison you can't bring anything with you and I believe its the same for jail! Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you!

Thanks for your reply.

I thought "jail" was only for holding someone until his/her court date. After that, if you were found guilty, I thought you went to prison. So why would you be sentenced to jail and not to prison? But if it's only for three days or so, I could see that they might use the downtown jail instead of transporting someone to prison, which I don't know where the closest one is... Huntsville?

Maybe you can answer my questions under "For Family & Friends" / "General Prison Talk". ???

I'm lost and scared and totally without information.

Thanks.

I thought "jail" was only for holding someone until his/her court date. After that, if you were found guilty, I thought you went to prison. So why would you be sentenced to jail and not to prison?

Discussed here:
http://prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145132

there is a State Jail in down town, its right across the street from the baker street county jail. But they can also be held in Harris county jail for a certain amount of time after they goto court and stuff. Like he could be given 180 days in county jail. ya know. i cant answer most of your questions because im not sure exactly where he will be located, but from what i have heard, it is usually better to "lay low" rather than make friends, especially if they have a shorter sentance, but im not sure ive never been in jail before. hope i could help!

DUI/DWI is not a state jail charge, however if there is a State Jail in downtown Houston, I just learned something new. Doesn't surprise me at all.. Just shows I have not been into the system down there recently.. (thankfully) :)

I got a DWI. For the first offense, it's 3-180 days, I think. They say chances of doing any time for the first one are small, but I wonder, just the same.

Can anyone tell me where you would go, if the offense was in Houston?
Probably the Harris County jail
Where is the jail?

And what's it like? Extremely overcrowded, inmates sleeping on the floor. Better than the City jail I hope? Can you bring a book? soap? toothpaste? fruit or some decent food? What do you wear? Orange. Can you exercise? Yes

And what's it like for people on probation who just have to do some time... I heard that you can go in on weekends or whenever you want.
Also ask about the Christmas kick-out as well!

And is it better to try to make friends in there, or to just "lay low".
Avoid making friends (who will be users, with you as the used)
I don't know all what to ask because I'm so inexperienced. Any information would be appreciated.
Don't drop your soap in the shower. Don't gamble with strangers. Don't believe their promises or stories.

Here are some guitelines:
City jail - holding area before arraignment
County jail - Awaiting trial, and short sentences (and is now being contracted big time by Texas due to overcrowding amd hurricane damage - maybe as many as 10,000 housed in county jails across the state)
State Jail - Short term "prison unit". Sentences les than 2 years
State prison - Everything that's not Federal