The penalties assessed when someone breaks the law in Texas depend on the law and the discretion of the courts. State statutes include the rules intended to ensure the penalties possible align with the type of crime someone is accused of committing.
Motorists accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses may face several different penalties. The courts can incarcerate people and order them to pay fines as a financial consequence of their choices. A driver’s license suspension is also a standard consequence of a drunk driving charge.
Most people who plead guilty to a DWI or get convicted when they take the case to trial face licensing penalties. How long might someone go without a driver’s license after a Texas DWI?
Repeat offenses increase the possible penalties
Even a first-time DWI can cost someone their license, but the suspension lasts longer after repeat offenses. It is standard practice to impose harsher penalties for subsequent offenses when compared with a first violation of the law.
Someone without a criminal record or with no prior DWIs may receive more lenient treatment than those who have a history of impaired driving in Texas. After a first DWI conviction, a driver may face a year-long driver’s license suspension. A second DWI usually carries a two-year suspension. A third DWI offense is typically a felony, but the license penalties don’t increase.
If someone has a child under the age of 15 in their vehicle, the state may add another 180 days to the license suspension imposed based on their record. In cases where a driver has a very high BAC of 0.15% or higher, the courts may suspend a first-time offender’s license for up to 18 months.
A criminal defense can protect driving privileges. For many people, the possibility of going months without being able to drive is a powerful incentive to avoid a DWI conviction. They may want to explore different options for responding to their charges. From challenging the traffic stop to questioning the accuracy of the test results, there are many defense tactics that can help defendants avoid DWI convictions.
There are a variety of different potential defense strategies that can work for people facing DWI charges. Reviewing the state’s case and any prior offenses with a skilled legal team can help people determine the best way to respond to a DWI charge.