Texas Has Tough Alcohol Laws
Driving While Intoxicated is a problem that affects all Texans. To make Texas safer, laws have been enacted to deter people from drinking and driving or to punish those who choose to drink and drive. These laws include prison or jail time, license suspensions, community service, and substantial monetary fines.
First Time D.W.I. Offense
The 1st D.W.I. offense is considered a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine that can be up to $2,000. This first time offense can also result in a minimum jail time of at least 72 hours and could last up to 180 days. In addition to that fun filled stay in jail you can also get your driver's license (or driving privilege) suspended for at least 90 days and all the way up to 365 days. Suspending your driving privilege means that if you are convicted of a D.W.I. and do not have a valid driver's license then the judge can prevent you from getting that license for up to one year. Another driver's license punishment that can go with a D.W.I. conviction is an annual license surcharge for 3 years. The annual surcharge for a first time D.W.I. conviction is $1,000 per year. The court may probate the jail sentence and waive the driver license suspension on the first offense only. Probating a jail sentence means the judge allows you to stay free as long as you behave yourself for a set amount of time. However, if during this set amount of time you do not obey one of the requirements set by the judge this could send you to jail with some possible additional penalties.