By Jeff Kennedy
For drunk driving, the fines will depend on your alleged blood alcohol concentration. In Texas, the legal BAC limit is .08%. Penalties also depend on if you were accused of doing drugs and then driving, either alone or in addition to drinking. You can be charged with a DWI for alcohol or drugs. The fines will also depend on if it was your first offense, second, or third<
DWI Fines Classifications In Texas
- First offense – Fines will be up to $2,000 or $4,000 if your BAC was 0.15%.
- Second offense –Fines up to $4,000.
- Third offense – Fine of up to $10,000.
A judge may also increase your fines if you have several DWI charges within a small amount of time or if you get another DWI driving on a suspended licensefrom an earlier DWI.
How To Reduce Fines For A DWI In Texas
- Hire a lawyer: Getting fines thrown out completely is rare and hard to do, but an experienced DWI lawyer can often reduce the fines to something that is more manageable for you to pay. Although you will end up having to pay a lawyer to defend you, they can offset their own fee by reducing the fines you owe to the state.
- Dismissals: While it’s sometimes possible to get a DWI dismissed in Texas, most prosecutors won’t agree to complete dismissal unless there is insufficient evidence or if the court throws out the evidence before the trial.
- Reduction Of Charges: An experienced lawyer may be able to get the case reduced to something called “wet reckless.” This is a reckless driving offense that involves drugs or alcohol but is considered not as serious as a DWI.
There are many ways to reduce the fines you owe, but more importantly you will want to prioritize avoiding a conviction, before worrying about fines, which can be paid off later. Your goal should be to find a DWI lawyer tp help you, regardless if it’s your first offense or you’re looking at a repeat offense and facing maximum fines.
Talk with Criminal Defense Attorney Jeff C. Kennedy to see what can be done for your case. Call 817-605-1010 to reach our firm, or fill out the contact form on this page.
