Penalties for DWI cases have become increasingly severe. If you have been arrested for DWI, you may be facing fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail or prison time. For example,
1st DWI carries the following possible penalties:
- Jail – not less than 3 days or more than 6 months.
- If open container of alcohol found in car when arrested, minimum of 6 days in jail
- Probation – up to 2 years
- Fine – up to $2,000.00
- License Suspension
2nd DWI carries the following possible penalties:
- Jail – not less than 30 days (if prior conviction for intoxication offense) or more than 1 year.
- Probation – up to 2 years
- Fine – up to $4,000.00
- License Suspension
3rd DWI carries the following possible penalties:
- Prison – not less than 2 years or more than 10 years
- Probation
- Fine – up to $10,000.00
- License Suspension
Laws regarding driving while intoxicated are located in Chapter 49 of the Texas Penal Code.
In addition to the fines, license suspension and jail or prison time, a conviction for DWI will result in having to pay Texas Department of Public Safety the following surcharge for 3 years:
- $1,000 per year for a 1st DWI conviction
- $1,500 per year for a 2nd DWI conviction
- $2,000 per year for a DWI conviction with a breath/blood test of .16 of higher
Also, just for refusing or failing a breath or blood test after being stopped can result in the suspension of your drivers license from 3 to 6 months. You only have 15 days to challenge the suspension of your license for refusing or failing a breath or blood test.
You need representation from an experienced lawyer to handle a DWI case.
Alexander M. Gurevich provides aggressive representation in the following cases:
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Driving While Intoxicated – Child Passenger
- Intoxication Assault
- Intoxication Manslaughter
- Boating While Intoxicated
Call us at (713) 224-9600 or email us by clicking here for a free confidential consultation.
