Tag: Drunk Driving
DWI Crimes: Harshly Prosecuted in Texas
Many states classify operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated a crime and the State of Texas is no exception. Alcohol impairs ones mental and motor skills and driving under the influence of alcohol & drugs continues to cause a significant number of accidents that result in deaths and injuries around the world. In Houston, DWI-related car accidents are a daily occurrence and this reality doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.
The problem of drunk driving affects all motorists that use the road. Authorities at both the state and federal level have strengthened DWI enforcement, passed laws and sponsored campaigns against drunk driving. The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department to the south of Houston, TX is also working hard to curb drunk driving. Although statistics show that driving while intoxicated still causes numerous fatalities, it remains a problem that costs money with many incident being preventable human accidents. The majority of the drunk driving accidents are caused by heavy drinkers and repeat DWI offenders.
Criminal Charges & Penalties for Drunk Driving
If a Texas law enforcement officer pulls you over and your blood alcohol concentration level reads 0.8% or higher, you risk being charged with a felony DWI. Texas DWI Attorney Tad Nelson is one of the best lawyers in Houston for helping people who are facing prosecution for drunk driving and he recommends never submitting to request for blood & breath testing.
Otherwise, your chance of facing harsh penalties will escalate depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, the penalties will vary based on if you had passengers when the police pulled you over, the type of license you hold and if you got involved in an accident while drunk. You also risk being charged with child endangerment if you had a child passenger at the time of police intervention. You’ll face a number of penalties depending on your history of convictions.
The charges range from a fine of up to $10,000, a two year jail term in a state jail and even suspension of drivers license for a minimum of 180 days.
When the authorities pull you over for suspected DWI, the legal expectation is that you take a breath or blood test. Snubbing the test may result in suspension of your driving license for a period that may exceed 180 days but no more than two years. Usually, the police take your driver’s license and issue you with a temporary driving permit.
Criminal Trial for Drunk Driving
This is your first arrest on based on drunk driving, you will probably be charged with a misdemeanor. You will be issued with a court date when you will stand for trial. Here you may plead guilty, or otherwise, you will be offered a chance to choose to be tried by a jury or a judge. Either of them will determine your fate when you and the prosecution present your case.
DWI Intervention Classes
Brazoria County enacted a law that provides educational services with programs to cater for First and Repeat DWI offenders. An individual convicted of DWI offense for the first time is put on probation. During this period the convict must attend and successfully complete an educational program within 180 days from the commencement of the program.
The law revokes the driving license of the offender whenever they fail to finish the program within the stipulated time. However, there are occasions where the program may grant the offender and extension. The authorities will reinstate a revoked license only when the DWI offender completes the program.
The Texas Department of State Health Services certifies the program whose standard duration is twelve hours. The same program is available to repeat offenders only that the duration is now thirty two hours. These classes are offered in the evening during weekdays and Saturday mornings. The classes cost a hundred dollars for first time offenders. This price doubles for repeat offenders.