Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Texas

DUI and DWI -- Two Different Charges

Often when someone is charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), he or she thinks the charge is Driving Under the Influence (DUI). In many states, DUI and DWI are the same, but in Texas, they are two different charges.

The differences between DUI and DWI greatly out number the similarities.

DUI Penalties

Similar to DWI, the penalties of a DUI conviction are dependent on the number of prior convictions.

Many countries classify any "crime" as a reason to refuse (or limit) entry into their country. The overwhelming majority (over 96%) of DUI / DWI convictions are misdemeanors (offenses generally punishable by a jail term of one year or less). Felony DUI / DWI offenses are usually reserved for either repeat offenders or offenders causing death or serious injury in a collision.

Some nations (e.g. Canada) classify ALL crimes as "offenses," and will limit or bar admission for any purpose if a CONVICTION is on your criminal record. This is an excellent reason to FIGHT your DUI / DWI case, and hire a top-notch trial attorney.

Typically, foreign governments will be more prone to a total ban for travel if the offense is a felony. If a lesser charge, such as a misdemeanor, there may be a 5 year or longer "window" for them to restrict or limit travel.

Often, your DUI / DWI lawyer will need to associate an immigration attorney to facilitate an application for limited admission to the country where you plan to travel. Give plenty of time for this to be done, because applications can take months.

Take your DUI school course completely online with Economy Traffic School!

Economy Traffic School is designed as an alternative to a classroom DUI program, and is approved by the Nevada DMV (DUI000025947). You may complete the program in one sitting or use your username and password as many times as necessary to complete the reading.

Once you have finished Economy Traffic School, you are asked to complete an evaluation of the course and we will forward the original completion certificate to the court or the agency requiring course attendance for you. The course cost includes the entire program and the certificate.

Automobile insurance for those who have been charged with DUI / DWI, driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), or any other type of drinking and driving charge is a large problem. Many auto insurance carriers will decline coverage for someone who has either been convicted of drunk driving, or has had a DMV action sustained compared with their driving privileges.

It is essential for anyone charged with any drunk driving offense to get professional advice regarding their car insurance situation, just as they need help with their legal situation. Although every insured appreciates the financial strength and support from a large auto insurance company, many national car insurance companies will turn down people right away when they learn of a DUI / DWI problem looming. One notable exception is DUI Auto Insurance.com. By aquiring a free, no-obligation quote on auto insurance from DUI Auto Insurance.com by CLICKING HERE, anyone accused of a DUI / DWI can get information on the specifics of their situation while there is still yet time to do something about it. If a conviction has taken place, or is unavoidable, this will allow extra time to strategize.

As well as the problems in getting car insurance coverage in the wake of a DUI / DWI arrest, there are other auto insurance needs that only apply following a drunk driving conviction or DMV license suspension action. These needs include the filing of an SR-22 Proof of Insurance Certificate. An SR-22 Proof of Insurance Certificate is more than the typical insurance card that is sent by auto insurance companies. The SR-22 Insurance Certificate is only needed by those who have been convicted of driving under the influence, or been the subject of a DMV Administrative Action.

Because there is no reason except a DUI / DWI for a driver to need an SR-22, asking one from your insurance carrier will be a red flag that there is a pending action or drunk driving conviction to attribute into any insurance quote. This is another reason why it is crucial to meet with an insurance professional to get the best possible advice about how to handle insurance needs during the time of a drinking and driving arrest, conviction, or administrative action.

What is Driving Under the Influence?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a term used by most states, including California, Florida and Pennsylvania, for being legally intoxicated or impaired while operating a motor vehicle. The threshold for legal intoxication is typically when a breath, blood or urine test registers a blood alcohol content of 0.08%. Minors under the legal drinking age may be declared under the influence at a lower BAC percentage. Similarly, law enforcement may arrest a motorist for being impaired even when their BAC is lower than 0.08%.

DUI is referred to as DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in eight states, including New York and Texas, and OVI/OMVI (Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated) in Ohio. For the most part, the acronyms are equivalent and represent being charged with drunk driving. In a few circumstances however, DUI may represent a lower offense in a DWI state. Having a BAC higher than 0.08% would be called a DWI while a DUI would apply to motorists with a BAC of less than 0.08% who are still deemed to be impaired and thus incapable of driving safely.

The penalties vary for a DUI offense. Specific laws can be reviewed for all fifty states by using the links below.

How Is DUI.com Different From Other Drunk Driving Websites?

DUI.com is an offender-related website that is designed to help those that have been charged with a DUI or DWI to find DUI lawyers. This does not mean DUI.com advocates driving drunk. It means that we have been counseling those arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI) or drunk driving for over 20 years and understand the particular problems associated with drunk driving arrests and charges.

Drunk driving offenders need a criminal defense lawyer who's law practice is primarily in the field drunk driving defense and is a qualified DUI lawyer or DUI attorney. DUI and DWI offenders may need assistance in understanding Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administrative per se (APS) and administrative license suspension (ALS) / administrative license revocation (ALR) laws.

DUI.com collects and shares specialized information and provides products and services (program fact sheet PDF download) to help individuals who have been arrested for DUI, DWI or driving drunk navigate the consequences of their drunk driving arrest.

Since the Department of Motor Vehicles has asked police to take drivers' licenses upon drunk driving arrest (administrative license revocation), some persons are immediately interested in getting their drivers licenses back. This requires an individual to quickly obtain an SR-22 form (SR22) from their auto insurance company, agent or broker and file this "Proof of Financial Responsibility" form with the DMV or DPS. We offer direct insurance quotes for those seeking to lower their skyrocketing automobile car insurance rates due to a DUI, DWI or drunk driving charge.

Others are concerned about going to court and the possibility of going to jail. They, therefore, must seek the advice of local DUI attorneys or a DUI lawyer who's practice concentrates in drunk driving defense - someone who knows the DUI Laws and rights of those arrested for driving under then influence.

Meanwhile, the issue of a drinking problem or substance abuse is a subject that the DUI, DWI or drunk driving offender may be faced with. DUI.com provides information related to substance abuse, alcohol, drug and drinking problems. We also promote proven ways to prevent drunk driving in the form of alcohol breathalyzers (breath testers), alcohol analyzer systems and educational drunk driving videos for schools, programs, businesses, military and correctional facilities.

For individuals concerned with the long view, DUI.com offers information on drivers license and criminal records that will help those arrested for drunk driving understand the consequences for future employment, financial, medical and other background record investigations.

DUI.com provides useful, balanced, prevention - and education - based information for individuals trying to find help after a DUI, DWI or drunk driving arrest, and has been doing so for over 20 years.

DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is a serious offense and if you have been charged with a DUI or driving drunk you should seek legal help at once from a DUI attorney.

Each year, states enact stronger DUI laws and more severe drunk driving penalties. You could lose your driver's license, be placed in jail and fined substantial fees. Your car insurance rates may rise and you could end up with a criminal conviction on your record that could impact your future and your employment opportunities.

Using a DUI attorney or DUI Lawyer who focuses on drunk driving defense could make a difference in the outcome of your case. This is why it is important to use DUI.com to locate a qualified DUI Lawyer in your area.

DUI.com is a national directory of drunk driving defense attorneys. Most of the DUI lawyers listed in our directory are members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National College of DUI Defense as well as certified in administering the standardized field sobriety test and intoxilyzer breath test. The DUI attorneys on DUI.com limit their practice to primarily DUI/DWI and drunk driving defense. It is important that you chose a criminal defense lawyer who primarily dedicates their practice to DUI defense, because they know the DUI laws and drunk driving consequences in your state. Choosing the right DUI lawyer may help you save your driver's license and get your drunk driving charge reduced or even dismissed.