AN OVERVIEW OF DWI LAW IN TEXAS
AN OVERVIEW OF DWI LAW IN TEXAS
Texas motorists who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol could be charged with DWI. There may also be a penalty for those who fail to submit to a breath test when asked by authorities to take one. The type of penalties a person may face for a DWI conviction depend on a person’s prior record and circumstances specific to the case. For instance, a charge may be more serious if a child is in the car with an impaired driver.
In such a scenario, an individual could spend up to two years in state prison. The prison time would be in addition to a 180-day license suspension and a $10,000 fine. Enhanced penalties may also apply if a driver has a blood alcohol content of .15 percent or higher. Drivers under the age of 21 may be charged with a DWI if they have a BAC of .02 or higher.
An individual who is convicted of a first-offense DWI could spend up to 180 days in jail. That person would also have to pay up to $2,000 for three years to keep their license. This would occur after his or her license suspension is up, and that could be up to a year after being convicted. Drug and alcohol treatment may also be part of a sentence for an offender.
Anyone who has been charged with a DWI may benefit from having legal assistance. An attorney may be able to help a driver avoid significant penalties such as incarceration or a fine. This may be done by challenging the results of a blood test or the reason for the traffic stop that led to the impaired driving charge. In some cases, this may be enough to obtain an acquittal.