Driving while intoxicated is something we can all say we’d never do. But too many people aren’t aware of their limitations. The legal blood alcohol concentration limit is so low that you can be over and feel fine. Because of this, drivers find themselves pulled over for accidental DWIs. This is where many first-time DWI arrests occur. Drivers find out the hard way. If these cases are accidental, are they that serious? The short answer is yes, and here are the reasons why.
How Serious Is A First-Time DWI Offense In Texas?
While many may assume the consequences for a first offense aren’t that serious, that isn’t the case at all. The legal system has to impose strong penalties on DWI cases because of the dangers involved. If drivers head out after a couple of drinks thinking the worst that will happen is a caution, that isn’t going to make them change their minds. It’s also important to remember that there are other potential charges. Cases of assault while intoxicated can include vehicular assault, where drivers accidentally hit pedestrians due to their inability to focus on their surroundings. Vehicular manslaughter charges arise when drunk drivers accidentally kill someone on the road. A simple case of being over the limit isn’t nearly as bad, but it can still cause serious harm. That’s why you need lawyers who can help with a DWI charge. Here are some of the many considerations when it comes to drinking while intoxicated.
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What Are The Consequences Of A First-Time DWI In Texas?
1) A criminal record
It should go without saying that this one can be devastating long term. Even if a DWI is accidental and there was no serious harm to anyone else, the arrest and any subsequent conviction are there as a permanent reminder. This could have serious implications for your personal and professional life, both during legal proceedings and many years later.
2) Suspension of license
First-time offenders will also struggle to hide a DWI case if they have their license suspended. The courts will easily suspend the licenses of those deemed unsafe behind the wheel of a car. You’ll get it reinstated after a designated time frame. But, by that point, it may have already had an impact on your family life and ability to work.
3) Insurance premiums
Think about how high your car insurance payments are right now. You don’t want to do anything to make them any higher, such as suggesting to lenders that you’re an irresponsible driver. There’s no bigger red flag for those providers than someone who got suspended for a DWI – especially if the incident also caused vehicular damage.
4) In-car devices
This one might be the most humiliated of them all. The idea here is that you have a breathalyzer-style device installed into your car to operate it. Fail the breath test, and you’re not going anywhere. It’s impossible to hide this from family members sharing the car or to keep it low-key at your place of work.
5) Fines
This is where the repercussions become even more serious. You could face so much more than a slap on the wrist. There is the potential for a $2,000 fine for a first-offense DWI, which doubles if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher. There’s also the risk of a Super Fine if convicted and sentenced to jail. This is between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on that blood alcohol concentration level.
6) Jail time
The worst personal consequence of a guilty verdict is time in jail. Again, this varies depending on blood alcohol concentration levels. It starts at 180 and increases to 365 days if the level is 0.15 or greater. This is why finding DWI lawyers is so important.
7) Emotional distress for family members
You also have to think about what a conviction would mean for your loved one. Hopefully, they will support you in your attempts to secure legal aid for a fair trial and be understanding of honest mistakes. However, if you knowingly drove over the limit and put family members at risk in the process, that could prove hard to come back from.
8) Emotional distress for victims
Last, and by no means least, there are the consequences for any victims. DWI is always a victimless crime. In some cases, it’s as simple as being pulled over for reckless driving and a suspicion of intoxication. The worst cases, however, see drivers causing serious road and pedestrian accidents due to their impairment. That victim has to live with the trauma and any injuries and may be entitled to compensation. There are also the families of those killed by drunk drivers and their grief.
Call On The Best Texas DWI Lawyers For Help
The best course of action for anyone dealing with their first DWI arrest is to seek legal help immediately. Working with the best Texas DWI lawyers means access to strong legal advice from the start. This means you can avoid errors and further incriminations while handling the charges. You can also let them deal with administrative procedures and build a strong legal case – rather than trying to represent yourself. The best lawyers are knowledgeable, professional, and personable, and are sure to be there to help you and your family get the best result. They will do it all without judgment, just a desire to get justice.
Avoiding First-Time And Second-Time DWI Charges
Help is available for anyone dealing with their first DWI charge, and the same goes for those who end up with second-time DWI arrests and additional charges. Obviously, it’s harder to avoid the hefty fines, jail time, and other consequences shown here if you’re a repeat offender or end up charged with vehicular assault or manslaughter. The best advice to avoid any of this is to not drink and drive at all. If you know you’re intoxicated, you should call a cab or give the keys to someone sober. The same applies if you’re not sure. It doesn’t take much to be over the legal limit and to cause any of those horrific consequences mentioned here. Be smart and safe.
