Dallas DWI Attorney – Articles

Penalties for a DWI

Hiring the right Dallas DWI attorney is crucial after a DWI arrest because the penalties for a DWI conviction are serious. Generally speaking, the penalties for DWI are as follows:

• First offense: a first-offense conviction includes a fine not to exceed $2,000.00 and/or the possibility of serving jail time from 3 days to 180 days, and a driver’s license suspension of 90 to 365 days. (Class B Misdemeanor).
• Second offense: the maximum fine increases to no more than $4,000.00 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: here, 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).
• DWI with an open alcohol container (first offense): In addition to the penalty referenced above you face a minimum 6 days in jail and a fine of no more than $2,000.00. (Class B Misdemeanor).
• DWI with an accident where serious bodily injury because of the intoxication: this crime is called intoxication assault, if convicted you may serve a minimum of 2 years up to a maximum of 10 years in jail. Additionally, you may be fined up to $10,000.00. (3rd Degree Felony).
• DWI where a death has occurred because of the intoxication: this crime is extremely serious and is intoxication manslaughter. If convicted you may pay a maximum fine of $10,000.00 and/or be imprisoned from 2 to 20 years (Intoxicated Manslaughter or Manslaughter with use of Deadly Weapon are both 2nd Degree Felonies).
• DWI with a child passenger: A person commits a state jail felony if they drive while intoxicated and there is another person in the vehicle who is under 15 years of age. ‘Punishment for a non-enhanced state jail felony is by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than 2 years or less than 180 days and a fine not to exceed $10,000.00. In some of the above minor classifications you may be eligible for probation, but there is no guarantee that you will receive a probated jail sentence or fine.

Standard Misdemeanor DWI Conditions of Probation include:

• Report once a month to a probation officer
• Not to commit any further crimes during the term of probation
• To pay a monthly supervisory fee to the probation office (approximately $40.00)
• To perform a specified number of community service hours during the term of your probation (between 24 and 80 hours) (community service is volunteer work to benefit the community)
• To attend DWI awareness classes dealing with the effects of alcohol or listening to victims of DWI related tragedies, To disdain from consuming alcohol for the term of your probation
• To pay your non-probated fines and court costs
• Any other requirements the court sets for you.

If you have any questions regarding driving while intoxicated, please contact Dallas DWI lawyer Mark T. Lassiter today.