Texas is popular because of many things, including hot temperatures, barbecue, and live muscle. Unfortunately, Texas is also known as one of the states, which leads to alcohol-impaired driving accidents.
According to the Department of Transportation in Texas, someone gets killed or have a car accident injury in a crash involving alcohol after every 30 minutes.
Under Texas law, individuals commit a DWI (driving while intoxicated) offense when they get intoxicated and operates a car in public places.
Commercial Drivers
A commercial driver committing a first DWI offense when driving any car can be disqualified from operating a commercial truck or car for one year.
If the driver was transporting dangerous materials or handling a commercial car at the time, the disqualification period might go up to three years.
However, if you commit the mistake for the second time, you will get disqualified from driving any commercial car for life.
BAC Limits in Texas
A drunk while intoxicated or drunk driving offense depends on BAC. When drivers pull over their cars and the police officers suspect you are under the influence of alcohol, they will carry out a breathalyzer test to determine your BAC. They may also test your BAC through blood and urine.
For drivers who are of legal age to drink alcohol, 0.08 BAC is considered higher. Though for commercial drivers, the limit is 0.004 BAC.
The amount of alcohol an individual should drink to reach the legal limit basically depends on several factors, like:
- Strength of drinks
- Gender
- Body size
How Bad Are DWI Offenses in Texas
The outcome of a DWI conviction weighs on every individual differently. The administrative penalties and sentences, which come with the DWI conviction differ depending on several circumstances of your prior criminal history and arrest.
However, the penalties can be serious if you have been convicted for the second or first time because of violating DWI laws. DWI convictions can make everything difficult, including finding suitable housing and keeping your daily job.
The worst penalty is serving jail time. If police officers charge you with a DWI offense, the minimum jail time you can serve is around 72 hours.
If the officer charge you with opened containers inside your car, you can stay in jail for six days. Though these are just minimum jail times. Your sentence might even be higher as 180 days or so.
Understanding Drunk Driving Laws in Texas
Driving or having control of your car is part of driving while intoxicated offense. If you have your car keys and are in the vehicle while drugged or drunk, you will face charges.
However, if you are inside the car and someone else is holding the keys and looks like the individual is in control, you will not face the charges.
The Bottom Line!
Due to the severity of the event convictions for DWI first crime may have on your life, you should avoid facing those charges without a professional defense lawyer by your side.
A good lawyer can have your case dismissed by arguing that the police officers didn’t have a good reason to make you have a DWI stop.
