Learn the Texas Law Consequences
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Texas is a crime that can lead to severe legal consequences.
Authorities are actively looking for people who violate the law, and many drivers are surprised to learn that they can be accused of DWI even after only one or two drinks.
Drivers may be arrested in some instances for DWI, even though their blood alcohol content (BAC) is less than the legal limit.
Fortunately, there are often a number of ways an experienced Houston DWI defense lawyer can help reduce the consequences you may be facing if you are accused of drunk driving.
In some cases, a highly skilled lawyer may even be able to have the case against you dismissed; the charges may be lessened to a lower class of crime; or they can push to have the case dropped by the state prosecution because of a lack of evidence, illegally obtained evidence, or improperly stored and maintained field sobriety tests.
DUI Penalties for Minors
For the purposes of DWI and other laws involving alcohol, Texas law defines anyone under the age of 21 as a "minor." Minors are prohibited from driving a motor vehicle with any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems.
Minors caught driving under the influence will be charged with a first offense.
- Fines
- Probation
- Loss of their right to drive
- Enrollment in an alcohol education class is mandatory
- Community service
- Ignition interlock device installation
The penalties for each subsequent offense are more severe and can often include jail time. An experienced Houston DUI defense attorney can help minimize these and other long-term consequences minor DUI offenders might face.
DWI Penalties for Adults
The penalties in Texas associated with DWI have grown increasingly harsher over the past few decades. While specific penalties imposed after a DWI depend on a variety of factors, the most relevant are the number of previous offenses as well as your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of your arrest.
Below is some information on the penalties that may be imposed after being accused of driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
Texas DWI First Offense Penalty
After your first DWI offense in Texas, you may be fined up to $2,000 and spend between three and 180 days in jail. Your license could be suspended for as long as two years, and you may have to pay an annual surcharge up to $2,000 in order to keep it for three years.
You may also be required to install an ignition lock device on your vehicle and participate in a DWI education or intervention program.
Texas Second DWI Offense
The penalties for a second DWI offense in Texas are significantly higher after a first offense. A second DWI offense could result in fines of up to $4,000 and a jail sentence of one month to one year.
A second DWI conviction can result in a license suspension of up to 2 years. There may also be an additional $3000 per year surcharge. In addition, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle and attend a DWI intervention or education program.
Texas Third DUI
A Texas third offense or subsequent offense can result in a $10,000 fine. In addition, offenders may be sentenced to two to 10 years in state prison and have their license suspended for up to two years.
There may also be a surcharge of up to $2,000 assessed per year for three years. Finally, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle and participate in a DWI intervention or education program.
DWI Crimes and Injury to Others
Texas' legislature has established certain DWI crimes that can cause injury or risk to others.
These include:
- DWI with a child under 15 in the vehicle
- Intoxication assault
- Intoxication manslaughter
- These offenses can be prosecuted under different codes than DWI law, and could result in much more severe consequences.
Other "enhanced offenses", as defined by law, include injuring a peace officer or firefighter or causing persistent vegetative states due to traumatic brain injuries.
Refusing chemical testing can result in severe penalties
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle in Texas is subject to the "implied consent" rule, which holds that by obtaining a driver's license and operating a motor vehicle in Texas, you have consented to a chemical test if a law enforcement officer suspects that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Because of this rule, you can lose your license if you refuse such testing. This suspension is separate from the criminal component of a DWI case. It can lead to a license suspension of up to 90 days or two years.
After refusing a chemical testing, drivers will not lose their driver's license. You have 15 days to request an administrative hearing about your suspension after a refusal. You should hire an attorney to request an ALR hearing, at which you can dispute your license suspension.
You can request the hearing within the 15-day period. After that, your suspension will begin 40 days. The administrative hearings are handled by the State Office of Administrative Hearings and can be requested online.
Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device
In some cases, a judge will require that an offender install an ignition interlock device. The offender will also have a restriction on his or her driver's license that prohibits him/her from operating a vehicle without such an ignition interlock device. The device must be an approved device and be installed by an approved service provider.
Insurance & Proof of Financial Responsibility - SR-22
Texas DWI offenders must file an SR-22 certificate to show that they have insurance. This is done through your insurance company and provides the state with proof that you have car insurance that complies with state minimum standards.
You must have the SR-22 Certificate on file with the state for two years after your conviction. If it lapses, you will lose your license and the state will cancel your vehicle registration.
In addition to the cost of an SR-22, your car insurance rates will increase if they view you as high risk after a DWI conviction. A conviction could result in your insurance premiums significantly increasing.
DWI & Commercial Drivers
Drivers of commercial vehicles put everyone at risk. Commercial vehicle drivers often drive trucks or cars that are specifically designed for their use.
As such, they are often much larger and less maneuverable than the passenger vehicles that most of us drive. These characteristics can make them capable of causing serious injury if they are involved in accidents. Commercial drivers often have to transport hazardous materials and other people.
Because of the inherent risks associated with the operation of commercial vehicles, almost every aspect of the industry is regulated by the federal government, including the licensing of commercial drivers.
Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, a person who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL) is subject to a .04 blood alcohol content (BAC) limit when he or she is operating a commercial vehicle. This is significantly lower than the .08 BAC limit to which non-commercial drivers are subject.
In addition, CDL holders who are determined to have operated any type of vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol are disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year. If the driver operates a commercial vehicle that transports hazardous materials, he or she can be disqualified for three years.
Other types of offenses that may result in disqualification from driving a commercial vehicle include:
- Chemical test refusal
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 or more
- Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances
CDL license holder DWI charges and related offenses have the potential to result in significant fines, the loss of your CDL license, jail time, and in the case of commercial drivers, the inability to make a living and potentially the end of your career.
As a result, it is extremely important that commercial drivers who are facing allegations of DWI discuss their options with an experienced DWI defense attorney as soon as possible.
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