HOW DWI AFFECTS YOUR FUTURE & CAREER

October 28, 2020December 10, 2019 by Jim Slaton

Houston DWI Attorney Trichter & LeGrand Law Firm

713.524.1010

24/7 FREE CONSULTATION

(713) 524-1010

HOW DWI AFFECTS YOUR FUTURE AND CAREER

Whether You’ve Been Convicted Of DWI For The First Time Or You’ve Had Multiple Convictions, The Being Convicted Of DWI Affects Everything Throughout Your Life From Your Reputation And Career To Insurance Rates And Our Ability To Own A Firearm.

In Texas, Each Time You Are Convicted Of DWI, The Punishment Becomes More And More Severe Legally, Socially And Professionally.

DWI – The Legal Punishment

To See How The Punishment For DWI Convictions Breaks Out, Read This Page:

You’ll Also Find These Articles Helpful:

Jail Time Versus Prison Time For DWI

If You Are Convicted Of A DWI, You May Have To Serve Either Jail Time Or Prison Time.

Jail Is Time Spent In The County Institution And Prison Time Is In A State Institution.

In Both Instances, The Judge Or Jury Can Probate Jail Time.

This Is Where It Suspends The Incarceration Provided That The Individual Performs Certain Rehabilitation Terms And Conditions Over Time During A Probation Term.

Collateral Consequences Of DWI

As Harsh As The Above Penalties Are, The Collateral Consequences Of A DWI Conviction Are Even Worse.

If You Are Convicted You Can Expect:

To Pay A Lot Of Money: The Texas Department Of Transportation Estimates That The Out Of Pocket Loss For A 1^sttime DWI Defender, After Paying Fines, Bonds, Probation Fees, Supervision Fees, Ignition Interlock Fees, Etc., To Be About $17,000!
To Have Higher Insurance Rates: Your Insurance Company May Terminate Your Policy Or Substantially Increase Your Insurance Rates. Read More
To Jeopardize Your Job: Your Employer May Not Be Permitted By Their Insurance Carrier To Allow A Driver To Use Or Access A Needed Company Vehicle If They’ve Been Convicted Of DWI. For Example, If You Drive For UPS, You Are No Longer Allowed To Use Their Delivery Truck. The Same Would Be True If You And Delivery Driver Whether It’s Pizza, Flowers, Uber Eats, Etc. In Short, You’ll Most Likely Be Terminated.

How DWI Affects Pilots

People Involved In Aviation Are Particularly Open For Over-The-Top Punishment If They Get A DWI.

If You Are A Licensed Commercial Or Private Pilot, You May Be Declined Accident Insurance Coverage Which Means Your Company Will Terminate You.

Indeed, The Federal Aviation Administration Often Sanctions Pilots Even Where A DWI Is Dismissed, But There Has Been Some Type Of Driver’s License Suspension Because Of It.

In The FAA World, It Doesn’t Matter That The Pilot Has Spent Millions Of Dollars In Training, It Presumes Guilt—Not Innocence—When It Comes To DWI And Pilots.

How DWI Affects Military Service And Future Employment

The Same Political Punishments That Occur In Aviation Also Carry Over To Drivers Who Work As Air Traffic Controllers Or Those Who Work For The Railroads And With Vessel Operations In The Maritime Industry.

Sadly, For Our Military Personnel Who Are Actively Involved In Protecting Our Freedoms, A DWI May Mean A Career Obstacle To Advancement And Discharge From Service.

Young Drivers Need To Be Very Careful About Not Getting A DWI Or DUI Conviction Because It Could Impact Their Ability To Obtain Future Employment With A Company Of Their Choice.

Unfortunately, A DWI Conviction Under Texas Law Is Forever!

It Does Not Go Away And Will Always Be Visible To Law Enforcement And To The General Public.

How DWI Affects Education And Licensing

Besides Future Employment, A DWI Conviction Will Be An Obstacle For Professional Licensing Or Admission Into Professional Schools.

A DWI Conviction Might Prevent You From Being Admitted To Medical Or Law School, Or If You Are Already In An Educational Institution, It Might Preclude A License From Issuing After Graduation.

How DWI Affects Travel

If You Are Convicted Of DWI, Can No Longer Travel To Some Countries. For Instance:

Canada Views DUI As A Felony And, If You Stay Crime-Free, You Can Enter The Country After 10 Years When Your Conviction Is Expunged From Your Record.
In China, Japan, And Malaysia, They Expect You To Be Honest About Your Misdemeanor Charges When Applying For A Travel Visa Because They May Run A Background Check On You. Getting Caught Lying About Your Criminal Record Can Get You Banned From These Countries For Several Years.
Mexico May Refuse You Entry Into The Country If You’ve Had A Drunk Driving Conviction Within The Past 10 Years. So Much For That Trip To Cabo.

Sealing Your DWI Record

On The Flip Side, You Can Make An Effort To Have Your Records Sealed Under A Recent Texas Law If You Meet Certain Conditions.

However, Even Though A Sealed DWI Is Hidden From The General Public, It’s Never Hidden From Anyone In Law Enforcement And Prosecutors Can Still Use It To Increase Your Punishment.

ASK US ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS

If You Get A DWI—Whether It’s Your First Or Subsequent—You Need To Hire The Very Best Lawyer And Fight It On Every Front.

Under No Circumstances Should You Ever Surrender Your Right To A Jury Trial.

The Collateral Consequences Of A DWI Are Both Far-Reaching And Unknown For Your Future.

A DWI Prosecution Can Be Both Defended AND Defeated, But Only To Those Who Are Willing To Look Into The Future And See The Critical Need To Protect It.

Lastly, The Best Defense Against A DWI Conviction Is Simply Not To Drink & Drive And That Is My Final Advice Here.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CASE

Get A Fast Response

Use the form to request your free consultation to discuss your case with one of our attorneys. The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

FREE CONSULTATION

(713) 524-1010 - Houston Area

(830) 796-8878 - Texas Hill Country

CONNECT WITH US

GET STARTED

LEGAL TEAM

DWI DEFENSE

SERVING

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Sitemap

CONTACT

ATTORNEYS

DWI HELP

What is DWI and its potential punishment?

November 22, 2022June 9, 2013 by Jim Slaton

713.524.1010

24/7 FREE CONSULTATION

(713) 524-1010

DWI Punishment & Penalties

DWI is a criminal offense which prohibits you from operating a motor vehicle in a public place.

while “intoxicated” is defined as having lost the normal use of either mental or physical faculties, or having a .08 alcohol level in either your breath, your blood, or your urine.

The DWI statute does not require you to be “drunk,” rather, it only requires that you to be “intoxicated” to be charged with DWI.

When considering DWI punishment, we have to discuss the loss of normal mental/physical faculties must be caused by alcohol, drugs, a controlled substance, some other impairing substance, or a combination thereof in order to violate the DWI statute.

Breakdown Of DWI Punishment By Offense:

FIRST TIME OFFENDERS with less than .15 BAC have the possibility of a fine not to exceed $3,000.00 and/or a jail sentence from 3 days to 180 days, and a driver’s license suspension of 90 to 365 days (Class B Misdemeanor). Offenders with a BAC over .15 can have a fine up to $6,000
A SECOND OFFENSE penalties for DWI means the maximum fine increases to no more than $4,500.00 and/or jail from 30 days to one year, and a possible driver’s license suspension ranging from 180 days to 2 years (Class A Misdemeanor).
THIRD OFFENSE, you may receive a fine up to $10,000.00 and/or 2 to 10 years of imprisonment, and suspension of your driver’s license ranging from 180 days up to 2 years (3rd Degree Felony).
INTOXICATION ASSAULT is where an accident occurred with serious bodily injury resulted as a proximate cause of the intoxication. Upon conviction, the penalties for DWI are more severe. You can be sentenced to a minimum of two years and up to a maximum of 10 years in prison and may be fined up to $10,000.00.
INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER is a DWI where a death occurred in an accident and where the intoxication was the proximate cause of the death. Upon conviction, you can be sentenced to pay a maximum fine of $10,000.00 and/or be imprisoned from two to 20 years (2nd Degree Felonies).
DWI WITH CHILD PASSENGER is where a person is DWI and there is another person in the vehicle who is under 15 years of age. Punishment is by confinement in State jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days and a fine not to exceed $10,000.00 (State Jail Felony).

GET A FREE CONSULTATION

DWI Punishment In Texas

Most DWI punishment as a consequence of convictions result in probation, which means your jail sentence is suspended, you’ll be fined, or your driver’s license will be suspended by the court.

Said another way, upon conviction, the judge pronounces a jail sentence punishment, a fine sentence, and a driver’s license suspension, but suspends that jail sentence and places the person on “community supervision” (also known as probation) instead.

Example:

Judge Justice says, “Mr. Defendant, your sentence is 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a year’s suspension of your driver’s license.”
DWI Defendant replies, “Holy cow, I can’t believe it, I’m going to jail!”
But all of the sudden the judge says, “However, I’m going to probate this sentence. Your jail is probated for 1 year, $1,500 of your fine is probated, and your driver’s license suspension is also probated.”

In layman’s terms, this means that if the defendant behaves for 1 year, he will:

NOT have to do the 180 days in jail.
Pay only $500 of the fine.
NOT have his driver’s license taken from him.

“Wait,” you say, “what does ‘behave’ mean?”

It means that the judge has offered the defendant a “deal” he can’t refuse.

This deal is a contract between the defendant (you) and the court, and the contractual terms are simple:

The judge promises not to put you in jail, not to make you pay the entire fine, and not to take away your driver’s license.

In exchange, if you agree to the probation as a result of your DWI punishment, you are agreeing generally to do the following:

>Report once a month to a probation officer.
>Not commit any further crimes during the term of probation.
>Pay a monthly supervisory fee to the probation office (approximately $40).
>Perform a specified number of hours (approximately 24 to 48) of community service (volunteer work to benefit the community) during the term of your probation.
>Attend DWI education classes dealing with the effects of alcohol or featuring victims of DWI-related tragedies (VIP Program).
>Abstain from consuming alcohol for the term of your probation.
>Pay your non-probated fines and court costs.
>Submit to a breath test by law enforcement or court personnel upon request.
>Install an alcohol ignition interlock device on your car, and only drive a car equipped with such as device (not always required).
>Make a small donation to MADD and/or Crime Stoppers.
>Remain within the county of your residence unless given permission by the court to leave it.
>Fulfill any other requirements the court sets for you.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION

      
      
 
 
   Mr. Trichter and the entire staff was extremely knowledgeable, professional, caring and compassionate. Mr. Trichter has an immense amount of knowledge. Including the details and specifics of dealing with the FAA after an arrest. As a fellow aviator and aviation enthusiast there is connection and passion that is priceless. Anytime I had a question or concern I knew I could reach out and have a reliable and caring person to help me.

The end result of the case was favorable but more importantly the personal growth I obtained with the help of Mr. Trichter is something I will have for the rest of my life. I am so thankful I chose Mr. Trichter to represent me.
   Ross “Maverick” 
 27/10/2022
 
 
 
 
   
      
 
 
   If you are in search of a good lawyer, or having doubts about choosing one that will remain in your corner and back your play, I strongly recommend Mr.Gary Trichter, Mr.Trichter along with his legal staff were super beneficial and helpful to me when I needed help the most as a good DWI team they came together and got me through one of the darkest times in my life and I couldn’t be more appreciative and thankful, all the hard work and dedication from the Trichter law team, I would strongly recommend them to anyone In need of assistance for DWI or just a good lawyer to go to bat for you in your time of need.
   Brandon Baker 
 18/09/2022
 
 
 
 
   
      
 
 
   Of course america,  Mr trichter is the best lawyer I see ever .
   Paris Pshouq 
 15/09/2022
 
 
 
 
   
      
 
 
   I was referred to Mr. Trichter by a close family friend. Two of his family member had used him to represent them in their DWI case and were both very pleased with his work. After having Mr. Trichter represent me I can fully understand why. I can not express the amount of gratitude I have for him. He is an amazing attorney and the best at his job by far. But more then that he is an amazing person that truly care about his client. I will forever be great full for what he has done for me in helping me have my case dismissed. Thank you again Gary!!!
   Luke Fritz 
 14/09/2022
 
 
 
 
   
      
 
 
   Aaron White was very helpful and detailed. Explained things to me every step of the way and was able to get my case dismissed. Thank you very much!
   Josh Reynolds 
 24/08/2022
 
 
 
 
   
      
 
 
   I feel very fortunate to have selected Greg Houlton to represent me in my two DUI cases.  My arrests occurred within three months of each other and I was sure I'd be facing jailtime, considering the circumstances of my arrests.  It was a very difficult time and I was obviously struggling in my personal life.  But within the first few minutes of meeting Greg, he made me feel very comfortable and insisted that I take care of myself, first and foremost, and let him deal with the legal proceedings.

So that's what I did and Greg won both of my ALR hearings and got one of my cases dismissed.  I received a year and a half of probation with no jailtime or significant fine.  Greg by far exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.  I can't say enough about Greg and his professionalism and the calming effect he had on me throughout this stressful period.
   KM 
 01/08/2022
 
 
 
 
   
      
 
 
   Don’t think about it twice. If you need help with a DWI hire my man Leslie LeGrand!
   Air Wreck 
 03/07/2022
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  Reviews