Driving While Intoxicated:

Driving While Intoxicated:

Driving While Intoxicated is a common criminal offense which affects all types of individuals. The penalties for DWI are dependent upon the severity of the offense as well as an individual’s history. DWI convictions are enhanceable offenses, meaning that an old conviction will be considered in punishment of a second conviction. The same is true for any license suspension which may occur after an arrest.

Intoxication can occur in one of two ways in Texas. If a person provides a specimen of blood, breath, or urine which shows a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or great at the time of driving then they are intoxicated by law. Likewise a person may be intoxicated because of a loss of their normal use of mental or physical faculties by introduction of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs or a combination of these.

DWI encompasses numerous types of vehicles including automobiles, boats, planes, amusement park equipment and other water vessels. If a person is shown to be operating any of these while intoxicated they risk serious consequences.

Minors can also be arrested for DWI. If a person is under 21 years of age and is operating a motor vehicle, they will be subject to the same penalties as an adult in both the criminal and civil case with one exception, the license suspension for a minor who provides a specimen above a 0.08 will be for 60 days instead of 90 days.