The Difference Between Deferred Adjudication/Disposition and DIP

So you've received a ticket for a traffic violation in Texas. It's okay, it happens. But what you do next is extremely important. You're about to meet the justice system and hear a lot of confusing legalese. Deferred disposition, deferred adjudication, driver improvement programs — what does it all mean, and which one should you choose?

Deferred Adjudication vs Deferred Disposition

A lot of people use deferred adjudication and deferred disposition interchangeably. But these are two completely different legal processes.

What Is Deferred Adjudication?

Deferred adjudication is a suspended sentence. Instead of finding you guilty, a judge gives you a chance to redeem yourself. You're put on probation and given a list of conditions to follow. If you follow all the rules, your case is dismissed.

Deferred adjudication mandates formal probation. That means you meet with a probation officer, do community service, take alcohol and drug urine tests, and pay fines, court costs, and probation fees.

It's a lot. Deferred adjudication is for Class A and B misdemeanors, which are pretty serious. But the upside is that once you're through, you can seal the records from the public.

What Is Deferred Disposition?

Deferred disposition is also a suspended sentence. It's applied to class C misdemeanors (which encompasses most traffic violations, including speedingTexas Laws How To Fight Speeding Ticket In Texas Dmv). The big difference here is that deferred disposition probation isn't formal. In other words, you don't have to meet with a probation officer, take drug tests, and so on. If you meet all the goals set by the judge, your record is expunged.

Do keep in mind you'll still have to follow an official process for requesting deferred dispositionHowDoIRequestDeferredDisposition.html Courts. You'll also have to pay bond and court fees, which can cost anywhere from $240 to $310 or more.

Is Defensive Driving an Alternative?

Defensive driving is the other alternative you have. You enroll in a course (usually lasting six hours) from a state-approved driver improvement program (DIP) school.

You can enroll in defensive driving if:

You hold a valid non-commercial license.
You were not speeding more than 25 mph over the limit.
You have not completed a defensive driving course in the past 12 months.
You did not commit a violation within a construction zoneTrending Dont Put Your Rear View National Work Zone Awareness Week Defensive Driving.
You did not pass a school busTrending Driver Safety Around School Buses Defensive Driving.

How to Request Defensive Driving

There's an entire official process for requesting defensive drivingHowDoIRequestDefensiveDriving.html Courts to dismiss a traffic violation. We've covered the step-by-step process in lengthTexas Ticket Dismissal How It Works Defensive Driving, but to be brief, it works like this:

Check your eligibility.
Contact the court and request permission to take defensive driving.
Mail or hand in all the paperwork necessary.
Enroll in a state-approved defensive driving course.
After completion, mail or hand in the certificate of completion and Texas driving record.

3 Reasons Why Defensive Driving Is Your Best Option

Between deferred disposition and defensive driving, the second is clearly the best option. Let's break down why.

1. It's More Affordable

With deferred disposition, you have to pay a bond and court fees. Those costs can add up to more than $240 in most cases.

When you take defensive driving, you pay for lower court fees (usually $144) and for the course (which costs $39.95 or lessTexas Defensive Driving). All in all, that adds up to $183.95 (or less).

2. You May Have to Take It Anyway

If you're under 25 and request deferred disposition, one of the conditions of your probation will be to take defensive driving classes. For young drivers, choosing defense driving from the get-go is the better option.

3. It Makes You a Better Driver

Defensive driving classes teach you how to react to unpredictable road conditions. Be it sharing the road with an aggressive driverTrending 7 Surprising Signs Aggressive Driving Defensive Driving or knowing what to do in an extreme weather eventTrending Bad Weather Driving Tips Defensive Driving, you get to learn a lot during the course. While you could learn all those things from experience (the hard way), why not do it in a safe environment?

Don't Be Defined by Your Slip-Ups

Everyone slips up sometimes, but one mistake shouldn't define you. With the help of defensive driving classesDefensive Driving online, you can leave your mistakes in the past and move on. Not only will your records be expunged, but the experience and the classes will make you a more responsible driver.