Drive Hammered, Get Nailed: What to do in the case of a DWI

 Are you facing DWI charges or know someone who is? There are a few tips that can be of great assistance for individuals who are facing their first DWI charge and need help navigating the system. From the original incident to the final court procedures having a DWI lawyer in Houston, your own or one that is court-appointed, can be immensely helpful.

First, understanding your state’s laws is important for knowing what your options are in the case of a DWI conviction. In Texas, if a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 they are considered to be driving under the influence. Although a driver may not feel drunk, every drink they’ve had has contributed to their blood alcohol concentration over the course of the evening before they get behind the wheel. Individuals have to know their individual tolerance for alcohol, but also realize that the more alcohol they consume in a shorter period will raise their BAC higher than if they had a few drinks over a longer period of time.

 DWI can also refer to other drugs, not just alcohol. Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impair some people’s ability to drive and could post serious harm to others if they get behind the wheel. If someone is driving under the influence with others in the vehicle, they can be charged with endangerment for adults or minors, if there are children under the age of 15 in the car with them.

 DWI punishments vary based on the number of convictions a person may have had up to the point where there are stopped again. For a first offense a fine will likely be paid (this can be up to $2,000), jail time up to 180 days, suspension or loss of a driver’s license for up to a year, and an annual fee paid to keep a driver’s license after a DWI conviction. A second offense doubles the potential fine of $4,000 while the minimum jail time is increased to at least one month. There is also an annual fee to retain a driver’s license after a second offense.

A third DWI conviction could mean a fine of $10,000, between 2-10 years in prison, suspension of a driver’s license for two years, and an annual fee once that license has been reinstated. After the second DWI, an ignition device can be placed in the car that prevents the driver from starting the vehicle if they register any signs of intoxication or alcohol use.

  

Finding a DWI lawyer in Houston can mean a decrease in court fines, jail time, or a minimization of the overall sentence that a person might face. An experienced DWI lawyer can help explain the ins and outs of the system to those who may not be familiar with it; navigating the Texas court system for the first time can be overwhelming and confusing. For many a DWI is an isolated incident, a mistake they very much regret and don’t intend on repeating. With the right Houston DWI lawyer, a DWI conviction isn’t the end of the world.