Houston DWI Penalties Attorney | 
In this day and age, the State of Texas takes the offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and other impaired driving crimes very seriously. Depending on the specific events of an arrest and the history of the accused, the penalties for conviction of impaired driving offenses can be extremely severe. No matter what level on the spectrum an offense falls, certain penalties are consistent with every conviction, including:
- Jail time along with community service
- Suspension of driving privileges
- Costly fines and elevated insurance rates
- A permanent criminal record
- Probation or Parole
A driver’s first DWI arrest may result in conviction of a Texas Class “B” Misdemeanor. This crime designation can result in fines up to $2,000 and driver’s license suspension from 90 to 365 days. Additionally, the accused may be incarcerated from 72 hours up to 180 days. In the event that there is an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle with a first DWI, the fines and suspension is the same but the minimum jail time increases to 6 days.
Upon the conviction of a driver’s second Texas DWI, the offense will be classified as a Class “A” Misdemeanor. With a Class “A” conviction, offenders could be required to pay increased fines up to $4,000 and serve anywhere from 30 to 365 days in jail. The driver’s license may be suspended from 180 days to 2 years.
Call today for a free consultation: (713) 600-7777.
Consequences of DWI Charges in Houston
Special circumstances also exist for driver’s convicted of DWI with one or more children on board. This is considered a “state jail felony,” resulting in a fine up to $10,000. An offender may serve time in a State Jail Facility from 6 months to 2 years and be subject to license suspension from 90 days to 2 years.
The punishment for a third, and subsequent, Texas DWI is much more severe than the first two. Those who find themselves in this position will have a “3rd Degree” Felony on their criminal history. The accused may be required to spend from 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Fines could be increased to $10,000. Additionally, the offender’s license could be subject to suspension from 180 days up to 2 years.
Anyone who is believed to be driving while intoxicated and subsequently injures another person in a collision will be charged with “Intoxication Assault.” This is also considered a “3rd Degree” Felony and carries the same potential penalties as the above mentioned 3rd DWI conviction. Additionally, if someone loses their life as the result of a DWI related crash then a charge of “Intoxication Manslaughter” will be appropriate for the driver. These penalties are also the same as the aforementioned 3rd DWI but is classified as a “2nd Degree” Felony which is a much more serious blemish on a driver’s criminal history.
Call (713) 600-7777 today for a free consultation.
DWI Penalties Lawyer in Houston
In addition to the standard fines, jail terms, and suspensions, a driver will most likely be subject to some period of probation as well. Some of the conditions of probation include:
- Reporting regularly to your probation officer
- Paying fines, court costs, and monthly probation fees.
- Community service
- Completion of a Texas DWI Education class.
- Attend a (VIP) Victim Impact Panel, a class designed to educate individuals on the effects of DWI.
- Submit to a drug and alcohol evaluation and subsequent treatment
- Maintain a job and support any dependants.
- Submit to random urinalysis
With the stiff penalties mentioned above, it is obvious that Texas is serious about curtailing this type of dangerous activity. If history is any indication, the penalties will most likely become increasingly severe as time goes on and more lives are lost as a result of impaired drivers.
