DWI Offenses & Penalties In Texas
To understand your charges, you need to know about the different types of offenses and their penalties. The applicable laws and penalties can depend on whether the offender is under or over 21. Also, repeated offenses or specific situations can lead to harsher punishment.
Penalties For Minors
Texas categorizes anyone under the age of 21 as a minor. Under the state’s Zero Tolerance Law, minors found with any amount of alcohol or drugs in their system while driving can face severe penalties. The consequences of the first offense can be severe, including a license suspension lasting up to a year and fines reaching $500. The offender must also participate in a mandatory alcohol education program.
DWI Offenses & Penalties For Adults
The punishments for drunk driving become more severe for adults with each offense. A first-time offense can lead to fines as high as $2,000 and jail time from three days to half a year. A driver’s license suspension for up to a year is also possible. Those with two or more prior DWI offenses may face even more significant fines, longer periods in jail, and extended license suspensions.
DWI With A Child Passenger
The state is not lenient toward violators found driving with a child passenger under the age of 15 while under the influence. Violators risk facing fines of up to $10,000 and potential jail time of up to two years. A license suspension can also last 180 days.
Administrative Penalties
Texas upholds Administrative License Revocation (ALR) penalties for refusing or failing chemical tests like blood or breath assessments. Unlike criminal charges, the Department of Public Safety administers these infractions, which result in license suspension.
Understanding these penalties can motivate the offender to comply with chemical tests when suspected of DWI. Working with your attorney to explore various defense avenues is crucial.
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2550 Pacific Ave #866
Dallas, TX 75226
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