Houston First Offense DWI Lawyer
Drunk driving is taken very seriously in Texas, even when it is a person’s first offense. If you have been charged, it is natural to panic and worry about your future. However, it is important to remember the situation is not hopeless. A Houston first offense DWI lawyer can build a strong defense in your case to give you the best chance of beating the charges.
Our Houston First Offense Lawyer Explains DWI Laws
In order for law enforcement to charge someone with driving while intoxicated (DWI), they must prove the driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. A person may also face charges if law enforcement can show a driver was physically or mentally impaired by drugs or alcohol.
In any case, police officers must have probable cause to make a traffic stop that could lead to a subsequent arrest. Some examples of behavior that may give a police officer probable cause include speeding, swerving, and running red lights. Once the stop has been made, a failure to pass a sobriety test, an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, or an admission of alcohol consumption may all result in an arrest.
Our Houston First Offense Lawyer Can Help You Avoid the Penalties of a DWI
A conviction for even a first offense will result in at least three days in county jail. If there was an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, the minimum requirement increases to six days. The maximum jail time for a first offense DWI conviction is six months. A conviction will also result in a maximum fine of $2,000. Depending on the circumstances, the following charges may also apply:
- DWI with minor in a vehicle: When a motorist was driving while intoxicated and with a minor under the age of 15, they will face six months to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
- Intoxicated assault: If an intoxicated driver seriously injures someone, they will face a third-degree felony charge. The punishment if convicted is up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
- DWI manslaughter: It is a second-degree felony to cause the death of another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The penalties for those convicted is a maximum $10,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison.
Other penalties may include community service, probation, and a driver’s license suspension. To avoid these harsh penalties, it is critical that anyone charged speaks to a Houston first offense lawyer.
Get Help from Our Houston First Offense Lawyer Today
The penalties for a first offense DWI are harsh, but they are not inevitable. At Ayson Law Firm, our first offense lawyer in Houston knows how to challenge the evidence of the prosecution to give you the best chance of beating the charges, and avoiding the harsh penalties a conviction carries. Call us today at 832-209-2297 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation so we can review your case.
