The penalties for a DWI in the state of Texas depend on your prior convictions and your blood alcohol content (BAC) level at the time of the incident. If you have not been convicted of a DWI before and your BAC was above 0.15 at the time of the incident, you will likely face a Class C misdemeanor. However, it is important to note that this can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your BAC test. If you have a prior conviction for a DWI or another alcohol-related offense, then the penalties will increase. Additionally, if you were under the age of 21 at the time of the incident or you were transporting people in your car who are under the age of 21, then you could face felony charges. In this blog post you will learn about the penalties for a DWI in Houston and their legal implications. Keep reading to learn more about this serious offense and how you can avoid being charged with DWI in the future.

What are the penalties for a DWI in Texas?

The penalties for a DWI in the state of Texas depend on your prior convictions and your blood alcohol content (BAC) level at the time of the incident. If you have not been convicted of a DWI before and your BAC was above 0.15 at the time of the incident, you will likely face a Class C misdemeanor. However, it is important to note that this can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your BAC test. If you have a prior conviction for a DWI or another alcohol-related offense, then the penalties will increase. Additionally, if you were under the age of 21 at the time of the incident or you were transporting people in your car who are under the age of 21, then you could face felony charges. The specific penalties for a DWI in Texas are as follows:

  • Mandatory minimums:

    A mandatory minimum sentence applies to a person convicted of a third or subsequent DWI in Texas. The mandatory minimums depend on the person’s BAC at the time of the incident and their criminal history. The penalties for a DWI increase as the number of previous DWI convictions increases. If you are convicted of a third or subsequent DWI in Texas, you will face a minimum sentence of 10 days in jail. However, if the third or more conviction is within 10 years of the second conviction, the mandatory minimum increases to 30 days in jail. A person convicted of a second DWI must complete an alcohol intervention program. Additionally, a person convicted of a second DWI must attend an alcohol education program and complete 24 hours of community service.

  • Suspended License:

    A person convicted of a DWI must surrender their driver’s license. A person convicted of a third or subsequent DWI in Texas must surrender their license for a minimum of 90 days.

  • Community Service:

    A person convicted of a DWI must perform community service. The specific amount of hours is based on the number of convictions and the length of the jail sentence. A person convicted of a third or subsequent DWI must perform 200 hours of community service.

  • Fines:

    A person convicted of a DWI must pay a fine of between $800 and $2000. The fines increase as the number of convictions increase, and if the person was intoxicated while transporting a child under 16 years of age.

  • Jail:

    A person convicted of a DWI must serve a minimum of 30 days in jail.

The prosecution of a DWI mistakenly can become a drawn-out trial

When you are charged with a DWI, it is important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. The prosecution of a DWI can become a drawn-out trial that is costly for both the accused and the state. If you have been charged with a DWI, it is important to retain an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

How to prevent being charged for a DWI at the rate of arrested

If you are being charged with a DWI, it is important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. Even though the court may find you guilty of a DWI, you do not have to plead guilty. You can fight the charges and attempt to have a jury trial. If you exercise your right to a jury trial, you will likely remain in jail until the trial date. Additionally, you will incur additional attorney fees that you might not have to pay if you had pleaded guilty. There are several ways to avoid being charged with a DWI at the rate of arrested. First, you should remain calm and avoid acting belligerently towards the police officers who are arresting you. Additionally, you should not try to run away, as this may make your situation worse. Finally, you should not try to fight your way out of a bad situation. Remember, you are innocent until proven guilty.

The bottom line is there are a lot of strategies to use when defending against a DWI.

There are many ways to defend against a DWI charge. You should always keep in mind that the prosecution of a DWI can be a drawn-out process. It is important to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to prevent the government from building a strong case against you. Your attorney will be able to use your prior convictions, your BAC level at the time of the incident, the circumstances surrounding the BAC test, and any other evidence against you to defend you in the best possible way.