Texas DUI Lawyers Explain Under DUI Penalties

Texas DUI Lawyers Explain DUI Penalties

Getting arrested for DUI in Texas can lead to some pretty serious consequences. As a Texas DUI defense lawyer, I want to break down exactly what you’re looking at if you get charged with DUI here in the Lone Star State.

First off, let’s be clear – a DUI in Texas can mean either driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They’re basically treated the same under the law. I’ll refer to them both as DUI here.

Now, the specific penalties you’ll face depend on a few key factors:

• Whether it’s your first, second, third (or more) DUI offense
• Your age (there are enhanced penalties if you’re under 21)
• Whether anyone was hurt or killed as a result of your actions

Let me walk through what you can expect for a first-time DUI conviction in Texas:

Penalties for a First DUI in Texas

For your first DUI offense, you’re looking at:

• Up to $2,000 in fines
• Between 3 days to 180 days in jail
• Loss of your driver’s license for up to a year
• Annual surcharges of up to $2,000 for 3 years to keep your license

That’s just the baseline. Here are some other things that can affect the penalties:

• If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.15 or higher, the penalties go up. This can mean more jail time, higher fines, and an even longer license suspension.
• If you had a child under 15 in the car with you, you’ll face a child endangerment charge on top of the DUI. This can mean thousands in extra fines and up to 2 years in jail.
• If anyone was injured or killed as a result of your drunk driving, you’ll face additional charges like intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter. We’re talking felony charges and serious prison time here.

As you can see, even for a first DUI, you’re looking at potentially life-changing consequences. Many folks think it’s no big deal and just a slap on the wrist. But that’s absolutely not the case here in Texas.

Penalties for Second and Third DUI Offenses

If you’re convicted of a second DUI in Texas within 5 years of your previous one, here’s what you can expect:

• Up to $4,000 in fines
• Between 1 month to 1 year in jail
• Loss of your license for up to 2 years
• An ignition interlock device will be required to get your license back

And for a third DUI conviction within 5 years, it gets even worse:

• $10,000 fine
• Between 2 to 10 years in prison
• Loss of license up to 2 years
• An ignition interlock device will be required to get your license back

As a Texas DUI defense attorney, I’ve seen folks with multiple DUIs face serious jail or prison time. Some have even said it ruined their lives.

That’s why it’s so important to take these charges seriously, even on a first offense. Don’t think you can just pay a fine and move on. The consequences can be severe.

Penalties for Underage DUIs in Texas

There are also enhanced penalties if you’re convicted of DUI under the age of 21 here in Texas.

For example, if you’re under 21 and caught driving with any amount of alcohol in your system, you can be charged with a DUI. For adults, it has to be 0.08% BAC or above.

Here are the potential fines and jail time for underage DUI convictions:

• 1st offense – Up to $500 fine
• 2nd offense – Up to $2,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail
• 3rd offense – Up to $10,000 fine and up to 1 year in jail

Your license will also be suspended if you’re convicted. And if your BAC is especially high, you could face additional charges beyond the underage DUI.

Bottom line – you don’t want to mess around with underage drinking and driving in Texas. The consequences can seriously derail your life plans if you get convicted.

Probation and Community Service

For first time offenses, it’s often possible to get probation instead of jail time. This means closely supervised release rather than being locked up. It still carries serious obligations like:

• Community service
• Mandatory alcohol education programs
• Drug and alcohol testing
• No driving without an ignition interlock device

Violating any terms of probation can land you right back in jail! So it’s not an easy way out.

Community service is also commonly required, even if you don’t get full probation. For a first DUI, you’ll typically need to complete anywhere from 24 to 100 hours of community service.

Do You Need a DUI Lawyer in Texas?

If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Texas, the first call you make should be to an experienced DUI defense attorney. Don’t wait!

A knowledgeable lawyer can review the details of your case and build the strongest defense to either beat the charges or minimize the penalties. This can make a huge difference in the outcome.

An attorney can also guide you through the complex legal process and advocate for your rights. DUI cases get complicated fast, so having a lawyer in your corner is critical.

At our firm, we’ve been successfully defending people accused of DUI for over 20 years. We know all the in’s and out’s of Texas DUI law and procedure. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges, give us a call right away for a free case evaluation. With the right legal strategy, we can give you the best chance at the best result.

Don’t leave your fate to chance. Connect with our Texas DUI defense lawyers today.