How Bad Is A DWI In Texas?

In Texas, DWI is taken quite seriously. So you may have taken just a few sips of alcohol and may feel it’s not a big deal to drive home. But with a stroke of bad luck, you may be pulled over by the cops, who decide that you are driving while intoxicated.

Once convicted, you can be assured of severe penal consequences. Therefore it’s a good idea to be aware of the DWI laws in Texas to avoid being in an unfavorable position.

DWI In Texas: What You Need To Know

Driving While Intoxicated or DWI is a common traffic offense in Texas that carries several criminal and administrative punishments. According to Texas law, it is illegal to drive in public while you are intoxicated.

Intoxication, in this case, is if the blood or breath alcohol concentration of a person is found to exceed the limit of .08% or if any drug or controlled substance that hampers the normal use of mental or physical faculties is found in the body. If any or a combination of the above is found in your body, you can face a DWI conviction in Texas.

The Penalties For DWI In Texas

Once convicted for DWI in Texas, you may have to face several penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and suspension of your driving license. The severity of these punishments varies depending on the number of convictions you have under your name.

Penalty For First DWI Offense

For a first offense, you may be charged up to $2000 as a fine and may have to face imprisonment up to 180 days. In addition, your driving license could be suspended for up to two years. You will also need to pay a DWI license surcharge of $2,000 every year for three years once you are eligible to re-obtain your license.

Penalty For Second DWI Offense

In Texas, a second DWI conviction is considered a Class A misdemeanor. As a result, you may have to pay up to a $4000 fine, along with facing jail time for up to a year. In addition, the administration may decide to suspend your driving license for a period of two years. Finally, once you become eligible to re-obtain the license, you need to pay a surcharge of $2,000 a year for 3 years.

Penalty For Third DWI Offense

Getting convicted for DWI for the third time is considered a third-degree felony in Texas. You can be charged a fine of up to $10000 along with imprisonment for a maximum period of 10 years. Additionally, you will lose your driving license for two years and will need to pay the surcharge of $2000 annually for 3 years.

Penalty For Fourth And Subsequent DWI Offenses

A fourth or subsequent DWI conviction in Texas is also considered a felony and may charge you a fine of up to $20000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years. In addition, as with the other convictions, you will also face a driving license suspension for two years and will have to pay the annual surcharge of $2000 for 3 years on re-obtaining it.

Conclusion

While the penalties mentioned above seem harsh, you won’t have to face the maximum punishment more often than not. In addition, hiring a reliable lawyer can significantly reduce your fine or prison sentence if you can defend your case well.

While cities like Denton are among the best places to live in Texas, the number of DWI convictions here is not small. But the good news is that you can avail yourself of the services of a capable Denton DWI Lawyer to help you win the case. With a strong defense from an experienced lawyer, you can easily walk free of all charges.