DWI Lawyers Know Penalties for DWI are Serious Business

The best advice any attorney or really any person can give is "do not drink alcohol and drive!" What seems like a simple piece of guidance continues to be disregarded daily in our society. Each and every day lives are taken and others forever changed as a result of drunk drivers. Law enforcement officers continually work towards finding solutions to this epidemic and limit the risk that these drivers bring to our roadways.

The job of the police officer is dangerous and extremely difficult on a daily basis. They should certainly be applauded for the hard work they do in serving the public. But, when it comes to DWI arrests officers are required to use their discretion when opting to pull over a vehicle suspected of being driven by someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The officer is basically giving their opinion that a crime is being committed when they arrest a suspect for DWI. Since there is some gray area in this crime, it is always wise to hire an attorney if you are arrested for suspicion of DWI to guide you through the process and defend your rights in court.

In Texas, the penalties for being found guilty of driving while intoxicated are severe and will change your life. A first offense is a Class B Misdemeanor and can lead to fines up to $2,000, suspension of driver's license for a minimum of 90 days, as well as potential jail time ranging from 3 days to 180 days. Should a second offense occur, the fines double and jail time typically increases to a minimum of one month to one full year. License suspension ranges from one to two years. If a third offense occurs, license suspension is likely up to two years. Fines can be up to $10,000 and a third time offender can find themselves in prison for two to ten years.

Many times additional offenses occur along with the DWI charge depending on the situation and potential results of driving under the influence. When an open container of alcohol is found in the car, additional jail time and additional fines of up to $2,000 will be added to DWI penalties. If there is an accident that causes serious bodily injury due to the drivers intoxication the crime is called intoxication assault and the fines can reach $10,000 and lead to up to ten years in prison. Intoxication manslaughter is when a death occurs as a result of drinking and driving. Fines and prison time are often at the maximum level with this charge.

Having an expert's advice is important when dealing with such serious charges. A good defense attorney can help you with the possibility of getting probation for minor classification offenses. When the charges are more serious such as intoxication assault or manslaughter, probation may not be an option, but an experienced DWI lawyer will be your best shot at the best outcome possible. If you have been accused of the crime of DWI, get assistance immediately to help you through the process from arrest all the way through the court process.




Shawn Brown is an amazing San Antonio DWI lawyer. He knows the law and defends his clients well. If you need a DWI attorney in San Antonio, you should contact Shawn Brown Law at 210-244-8200.