Texas DWI Defense

Penalties for a DWI in Texas

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is serious business, especially in the state of Texas.

Fines up to $2,000.00, stints in jail for up to six days, at least twenty-four hours of mandatory community service, and a probationary period lasting between one and two years are just some of the penalties an offender can look forward to as part of his sentence when he chooses to consume alcohol and get behind the wheel.

And of course there are the costs of the alcohol education classes a wrongdoer is required to complete, as well as a possible monthly supervisory fee paid to ensure that the lawbreaker is not on the path to committing the same crime in the future.

In Texas, another part of the diversionary program for those who are caught driving while intoxicated is to be subjected to a Victim Impact Panel, which is a gut-wrenching forum where injured parties who have suffered at the hands of drunk drivers are able to address DWI delinquents to warn them of the dangers present when mixing liquor and motor vehicles. One must always seek the advice of a criminal lawyer in Houston before entering any type of plea.

It is even worse news for those who are under the Texas legal drinking age of twenty-one years, as these young offenders will also have a one-year suspension of their driver’s licenses to add to the list of punishments.

What about those who didn’t learn their lesson the first time?

On top of greater fines and a longer jail sentence, the courts have a very special way to take care of these individuals: they must exhale into a special device attached to their car ignition, which measures their blood alcohol level and will not allow the car to start if the driver blows above the acceptable limit of .08%.

As one can see, choosing the sober route is clearly the way to go.

The Basics of a DWI Conviction in Texas

A first offense DWI in Texas is a class B misdemeanor. Under the Texas law you are considered intoxicated if you A. Have a blood alcohol concentration of equal to or greater than 0.08, weather that level was reached through the consumption of alcohol or prescribed medicine is irrelevant under Texas DWI laws. B. Being deemed, by an officer, unable to operate a motor vehicle through the use of any substance that was entered into the body.

Being convicted of the first offense misdemeanor can carry the following penalties. Fine: with a DWI conviction you can be fined up to 2,000. Jail: A minimum confinement to the county jail of 72 hours, jail time can not exceed 6 days. However if there was an open container in the car during the time of arrest the minimum confinement becomes 6 days in the county jail. Community Service: Texas law mandates that the convicted serve a minimum of 24 hour community service, with the maximum penalty being 100 hours.

Most convicted of a DWI in Texas will also be put under probation lasting 2 years. The probation is often under certain conditions which usually include: Drug and Alcohol Evaluations, Alcohol Education, and attendance at a MADD Impact Victim Panel. If the judge deems necessary he can order an ignition interlock device. It is imperative to consult the advice of a Houston defense Attorney before appearing in court.

If the defendant has had a previous DWI, prior drug or alcohol offenses the penalties all become increased. If the person has had a previous DWI that happened in the past 10 years, the Texas law requires that to be released from the jail the defended issue a bond and an ignition interlock device be installed.

All DWI offenses in Texas also carry license suspension. During the arrest the defendants license will be taken away and a permit for 41 days issued. The suspension can be challenged at an ALR hearing however a hearing must be requested by the defended with in 15 days of arrest to be able to do.

Reasons for Renting a Limo

Traveling can seem like a pain when you have to wait in a long line for taxi service. Often, after waiting for what seems like hours, you end up riding in a taxi that is unsanitary and uncomfortable. Many people are now choosing limousines over riding in taxis.

Why is a taxi less desirable than a limousine? In this article, I will explain why a limousine is a better deal and well worth any extra cost.

When you are traveling with business, you usually need to be in the right place at the right time. If your flight is leaving the airport at 10am, you don’t need to arrive at 10:15am. When relying on taxi services, you are often forced to wait for your ride to arrive, putting you behind schedule with precious minutes or even hours. Limousines always arrive on time; which means that you will never been rushed.

When one is riding in a taxi, they often find that they are not treated with courtesy and are not very comfortable. If you are already pushed for time after waiting for a taxi, blaring music and dirty seats are certain to make your traveling experience even more stressful.

If you want to be able to fully experience comfort and concentration, a limousine is the perfect choice. When traveling by limousine, you will be met by a well-dressed chauffeur whose job is to provide you with complete traveling satisfaction.

When traveling in a limousine, you will have a private space seating up to ten people. This gives you the perfect opportunity to have fun with a group of friends or discuss business matters with associates.

The majority of limousine services will offer you some light refreshments and complimentary reading material (such as the morning’s newspaper).

Traveling by limousine is certainly the most convenient, comfortable, and easy way to get around.  Contact the professionals at Colony Limousine for all your limousine Houston needs.