Community Service
For juveniles convicted of alcohol-related offenses, Texas state sentencing guidelines require all community service hours to
be alcohol or alcohol education related. The Council’s Community Restitution Program provides a convenient way to earn needed
service hours through the selection and completion of various service projects.
An administrative fee of $3 per mandated hour is assessed for participation in this program. (Example: 8 hours - $24; 12
hours - $36) The fee, payable by money order only, is due when the completed projects are submitted for consideration.
The individual found guilty of the crime is the person solely responsible for complying with all court-mandated sentences.
Therefore, it is our policy to speak only to this person when contacted concerning this program.
We also accept volunteers who would like to help at the office for community service hours at no cost. Please call for
availability and to schedule an appointment.
Direct Community Service Inquiries to:
214.522.8600 ext. 204
Project Options: Important Instructions
Select any combination of projects necessary to complete the number of hours you need. Each project may be completed only once.
The maximum possible credit hours that can be earned for each project is shown. Maximum
credit is given only to projects completed as explained. To ensure you receive enough credit hours, it is recommended
that you complete a little more work than needed.
Carefully read each project’s instructions before you begin. If you have any questions, call 214.522.8600 ext. 204.
All reports must be typewritten. A “typewritten page” is defined as an 8½" x 11" page
with margins of 1" on all sides, 11 pt. Arial type, double spaced. The only exception is Project F, which must be legibly handwritten.
Projects not formatted in this manner will not receive full credit.
Project Mandate: Do Not Plagiarize
Credit will not be given for projects containing “cut & pasted” information. Projects are electronically checked for originality.
Project Completion: Steps
- Completed projects are turned in to the Council for review — not the courts. Call (214) 522-8600 ext. 204 to schedule a completion appointment.
- You must personally turn in your projects (and money order totaling $3 for each mandated hour) to the Council’s main office, 1349 Empire Central Drive, Suite 800 in Dallas (map).
- Upon review, you will be given a certificate of completion to be taken back to the court / judge.
Project Options
A – Letter of Apology
While under the influence of alcohol, you run a stop sign and have an auto “accident.” Luckily, no one was killed.
Type a letter of apology to “Nicole” — the driver of the car you T-boned — a 22-year-old college student paralyzed for life from the neck down as a result of this event.
1+ pages (≤ 1½ hrs.)
B – Letter of Impact
Returning home from the grocery store, one of your parents is hit and killed by a drunk driver, who was cruising around after a party. The 19-year-old driver is subsequently found guilty of vehicular manslaughter.
Type a letter, which will be read to the judge and jury at the sentencing phase of the trial. Explain the impact this event has had, and will have, on the rest of your life. Suggest to the jury an appropriate sentence which you would be satisfied seeing the driver receive.
1+ pages (≤ 1½ hrs.)
C. – Jacquline Saburido
On break from a university in her homeland of Venezuela, Jacqueline Saburido traveled to America to study English. Ms. Saburido will be the first to admit, she never dreamed of becoming one of American television’s most striking faces. But being in the right place at the wrong time need not spell disaster.
Research her life then write a report tracing Ms. Saburido’s amazing, yet unexpected career path. Cite all sources used.
2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
4+ pages (≤ 5 hrs.)
D – Financial Consequences of a DWI Conviction
Prepare a report examining the consequences of a first-time DWI conviction for an adult, 22 years of age (Class B Misdemeanor). The report must examine the consequences of receiving a DWI conviction in the State of Texas. List the source for all quotes / information obtained.
To receive full credit for this project, it must contain details for each of these possible consequences:
- Bail Bondsman’s Fee
- Towing of Auto / Daily Impound Fee(s)
-
Attorney Fees – 2 quotes from 2 attorneys:
a. quote for handling a plea agreement
b. quote for handling a full trial
- Court Costs
- Monetary Fine (range of possible amount)
- Community Service Hours (possible range)
- Jail Sentence (possible range)
-
Driver License-Related Consequences
a. length of mandatory suspension
b. license reinstatement fee
-
DWI Surcharge
a. fully explain this new three level penalty’s fee structure
b. how is revenue collected from the surcharge used?
-
Probation-Related Consequences
a. monthly reporting fee
b. possible range of months sentencedx
- Drug & Alcohol Education Class (tuition)
- MADD Victims Impact Panel (attendance fee)
- Court-Ordered Drug / Alcohol Evaluation (assessment fee)
-
Auto Insurance
Obtain rate quotes for a 12 month, full coverage auto insurance policy (liability and collision coverage with state
minimums) for a 22 year-old driver in Dallas. Pick any make and model of car. From two different insurance
companies (1 and 2), obtain:
a1, a2. rate with clean driving record
b1, b2. rate with first-time DWI conviction
c1, c2. How long will this DWI conviction affect premiums?
Financial Consequences of a First-Time DWI
End your report by calculating the total financial consequences of a first-time DWI conviction.
(≤ 10 hrs.)
E. Open Meeting
You probably have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, or simply AA. There are two types of AA meetings — closed and open. Closed meetings are for alcoholics only. At an open meeting, anyone interested in AA is invited to attend. At open meetings, speakers share their personal stories of achieving sobriety from alcoholism and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcoholics Anonymous. Attendance at an open AA meeting is the best way to learn about the organization. At an open meeting you should not be asked to speak or participate.
Find and attend an open meeting of AA.
The meeting you attend must be an open meeting.
Compose a 3-page report which provides basic information about Alcoholics Anonymous and gives specific details about your experience. While at the meeting, obtain a piece of AA literature and attach it to your report. Cite all sources used.
Here are some ideas for your report:
- How did you find an AA meeting?
- Explain the importance of “Anonymous” in AA
- According to AA, how is an alcoholic cured?
- How does AA help the alcoholic?
- Explain the fees for membership, meeting dues, etc. How is AA funded?
- Is AA a religious organization?
-
Explain the importance of the “Twelve Steps and Traditions”
(note: do not include the complete text of the twelve steps or traditions)
- Who sponsors / runs AA?
- Explain the fees for membership, meeting dues, etc. How is AA funded?
- Did anything surprise you about the experience?
(≤ 6 hrs.)
F. Alcohol Related Facts & Statistics
Using the Internet, find 50 facts concerning alcohol abuse that do not appear within the Council’s website.
The facts must be written in complete thoughts or sentences. After each fact, provide the source’s URL.
This project must be legibly handwritten.
(≤ 2 hrs.)
G. In The News
From any newspaper or magazine, find and cut out stories that relate to alcohol abuse. Your stories must be from the original printed source. Do not use stories found on the Internet. You must follow the instructions below to receive full credit.
- Tape each story onto a separate sheet of 8½" x 11" paper.
- Write the name of the publication where found and the publication date in the bottom right corner of the 8½" x 11" paper.
- Consecutively number each story in the top right corner of the 8½" x 11" paper.
earn ≤ 1 hr. for every 4 articles; maximum of 60 articles (≤ 15 hrs.)
H. Alcohol’s Effect on the Adolescent Brain
Prepare an original report examining alcohol’s effect on the human brain, citing all sources used. Does alcohol affect the brain of an adult in the same way that it affects that of an adolescent?
2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
4+ pages (≤ 5 hrs.)
I. Effects of Alcohol on the Human Body
How does alcohol affect the human body? Research, then prepare an original report examining alcohol’s effect on the human body, citing all sources used.
To receive full credit, your report must address the following key points.
- definition of alcohol
- how, and at what rate the body metabolizes alcohol
- explain blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- factors that influence a person’s BAC
- short & long term effects of alcohol consumption
- fastest method(s) to sober up a person
2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
4+ pages (≤ 5 hrs.)
J. Alcohol Poisoning
Can a person die from drinking too much alcohol? Research, then prepare an original report on alcohol poisoning, citing all sources used.
To receive full credit, your report must include the following key points:
- define alcohol poisoning
- signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
- how can you help someone you think has alcohol poisoning?
2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
K. Store Alert Report Card
* requires parent/guardian participation
The tobacco industry spends more than $11 billion each year marketing its products in the United States. Tobacco consumption remains the number one preventable cause of death in the US, claiming more than 440,000 lives each year. In fact, one-third to one-half of the estimated 45 million American smokers will die of a tobacco-related illness. No wonder why the tobacco industry targets youth in their marketing efforts in order to create a life long customer.
You may be surprised at all the different retail stores in your community that sell tobacco. The Store Alert Report Card is a tool for the community to assess the level of retail tobacco advertising in their neighborhood. Now, you can give your local tobacco retailers a grade!
- Click on the link http://www.storealert.org/docs/reportcard.pdf to print out the Store Alert Report Card.
- Visit this Store Alert link: http://www.storealert.org/survey/guide.asp for a complete list of instructions and report card category terms.
- Visit a local tobacco retailer in your community (example: supermarket, drugstore, gas station/convenience store like 7-11 or Exxon) with an adult.
- Complete the categories and guidelines on the report card to give the tobacco retailer points on their exterior and interior image.
- After you fill out the report card and give a grade, complete a paragraph summary of your experience and conclusions on your site visit.
- Please bring report card and summary with you at the time of your community service review appointment.
Project completed worth 6 hours.
Prevention Resource Center
Offers a wide selection of literature, videos, DVDs, brochures and resource materials about addiction, parenting, brain development, stress, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; materials provided at no cost, with many available in Spanish.
www.prc3.org
Substance Abuse Helpline
Matches callers’ and visitors’ individual, unique needs with diverse community resources, including: drug identification, education classes, treatment, and support groups.
214.522.8600 or Toll Free at (800) 246-HOPE (4673)
Texas Alliance For Drug Endangered Children
Develops local alliances across Texas that advocate for drug endangered children. As a result of their parent/care taker’s drug manufacture, cultivation, distribution and/or use, these children suffer physical and/or emotional harm. The local multi-disciplinary alliances collaborate to increase community awareness, bridge gaps in services and ultimately create systematic reform supporting drug-free environments for children. This reduces additional trauma for children living in volatile drug environments.
www.texasdec.org
Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership
Regional coalition whose mission is “creating safer youth and a safer community through cooperative drug prevention strategies.” Represents a collaboration of concerned citizens, law enforcement personnel, educators, government officials, faith based organizations, area youth, parents, and other coalitions and agencies targeting youth. Utilizes environmental strategies aimed at population-level change regarding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs.
www.drugfreedallas.org
Alliance on Underage Drinking
Regional coalition whose mission is “reducing the incidence and impact of underage drinking through increased community involvement.” More than 50 coalition members representing 16 North Texas cities work together to limit youth access to alcohol, change the culture within which decisions about alcohol use are made, and reduce the prevalence of negative consequences associated with high-risk drinking.
Tobacco-Free North Texas
Dedicated to reducing the burden and impact of tobacco use through education, action and smoke-free initiatives in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis and Tarrant counties. Coalition members implement evidence-based strategies aimed at community-wide change.
www.tobaccofreentx.org
School-based Prevention/Intervention for At-Risk Youth
Focuses on major social and psychological factors contributing to poor academic performance and substance use/abuse; targets thousands of the area’s most at-risk junior and senior high students in alternative education programs; research-based program in Dallas ISD, Duncanville ISD, Grand Prairie ISD and Irving ISD.
Juvenile Diversion
Collaborates with Dallas Co. Juvenile Dept. to educate at-risk youth and their parents about family roles and effective parenting; youth experience a mock detention intake process
HIV Outreach & Prevention
Locates and supports people affected by substance abuse and one of its many potential consequences – HIV infection; outreach workers offer HIV testing, information, referrals, education and risk reduction steps to those living with substance abuse and HIV and those who are at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
HIV Early Intervention
Provides services to people facing the unique set of challenges of living with chemical dependency and HIV; offers substance abuse assessments, peer support group, intensive case management, risk reduction accountability and support for transportation, medical, dental, optical and mental health services
Conferences & Workshops
Tailored to community needs and trends provided to parents, educators, social services, law enforcement, corporate and other industry professionals