By Jeff Kennedy
Being arrested for on a DWI charge should be taken seriously. Depending on what happened, your case is either a misdemeanor or a felony. If there are aggravated charges, your charge will become more serious.
We often see those who are arrested for a DWI claim they were not intoxicated at the time of their arrest. They felt fine when they decided to drive and they did not think they were breaking the law.
Unfortunately, it does not matter in Texas. This is because your BAC is not the only way the state can pursue charges against you, because a police officer can arrest you for DWI if he believes you are impaired while driving.
In order to understand DWI charges in Texas, you should first read and understand the law itself, which we have outlined below. More information can be found here at Texas DOT – DWI laws in Texas,
Punishments, Fines, and Classifying DWI Charges in Texas
The following chart should give you an idea of the crimes and punishments that fall under Texas DWI laws:
| Offense | Punishment |
| First DWI Offense – Misdemeanor | Up to $2,000 fine, three to 180 days in jail, license suspension up to one year, additional fees to retain license |
| Second DWI Offense – Misdemeanor | Up to $4,000 fine, one month to one year in jail, license suspension up to two years, additional fees to retain license |
| Third DWI Offense – State Jail Felony | Up to $10,000 fine, two to ten years in prison, license suspension up to two years, additional fees to retain license |
| DWI with a Child Passenger – State Jail Felony | Up to $10,000 fine, up to two years in state jail, license suspension for 180 days |
| Intoxication Assault – Third-Degree Felony | Serious prison time and fines |
| Intoxication Manslaughter – Second-Degree Felony | Serious prison time and fines |
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Need a Texas DWI Lawyer?
Call the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy at 817-605-1010 to get a free case review. You can also fill out the form below, and we’ll reach out to you. Texas DWI laws are confusing, so it’s often helpful to speak with legal counsel before making any decisions about your case.