Were you recently arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Plano, Dallas, or anywhere else in the Lone Star State? If so, you probably have a lot of questions. How much will the fines be? Will your license be suspended? Will you go to jail? Will you lose your job? Under Texas law, a driver is “legally intoxicated” when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or above. This means that if a driver’s BAC registers .08% or higher, they can be arrested and charged with DWI. However, a person can be charged with DWI for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including legal prescription medication) regardless of their BAC. So, as long as a person is under the influence of alcohol or any drug, if the state can prove that their ability to drive safely was impaired by drugs or alcohol, the person can be prosecuted for DWI. Also, if the police find an open container of alcohol in a person’s vehicle, the driver or passenger can be fined as much as $500 for having an open container of alcohol inside the cabin of their vehicle.
What Are the Penalties for a First DWI?
Usually, a DWI stop is initiated after a peace officer observes a traffic violation, or notices that a driver is weaving, driving too slowly, or driving at night without their lights on. Sometimes, a DWI stop is commenced after a concerned citizen places a call into 911 about a possible drunk driver. If you are ever stopped on suspicion of DWI, the officer will ask for your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and your registration. If the officer asks you to take a blood or breath test and you refuse, your driver’s license will face an automatic 180-day suspension. Penalties for a First DWI
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- Up to 180 days in jail
- Up to one year driver’s license suspension
- An annual fee from $1,000 to $2,000 for three years to keep your driver’s license
If you are facing DWI charges in Plano, we urge you to contact our firm to schedule a DWI defense case evaluation. The sooner you get a lawyer involved in your case, the better. Call today to get started working with a Plano DWI attorney!
