DWI is No Joke in Texas

The state of Texas is notorious for being tough on crime, and DWI offenses are no exception. It is against the law to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater. A first time DWI offense is a Class B misdemeanor in Texas and punishable by up to a $2,000 fine, up to 6 months in County Jail and anywhere from 24 to 100 hours community service.

For a simple DWI, most people convicted on a first offense are granted probation, which averages from 1 to 2 years. It is not uncommon for the courts to also order drug/alcohol evaluation, mandatory attendance in a DWI education class, attendance in a Victim Impact Panel, pay a monthly supervisory fee and performance in the specified number of hours of community or volunteer service. If you have been arrested for DWI, you should speak to a skilled and knowledgeable Houston criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Further penalties may apply in the presence of unusual facts such as an accident, a prevailing alcohol dependence problem, and a prior criminal record, prior DWI’s, a poor driving record and more. For example, you may required to install an Ignition Interlock Device, you may be required to attend an alcohol treatment program such as AA, the courts may forbid you from consuming alcohol while you are on probation, you may be required to be committed to county jail as opposed to probation (in an extreme case) and restitution.

DWI Defense Lawyer in Houston

If you are convicted of a DWI, you are not only facing both criminal and administrative penalties, but a permanent criminal record as well. DWI convictions do not just go away, they will follow you around for life. If this is your second or third offense, then you are facing even greater fines and punishments. At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., a Houston DWI attorney from our firm work aggressively to fight the charges against you. We will challenge the evidence and search for any mitigating circumstances that may work towards getting the charges against you reduced or dismissed entirely.

Contact a Houston DWI lawyer from our firm for a free initial consultation.