Those who have been accused of a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense in Texas often worry about going to jail because of their charges. A DWI can also result in significant financial setbacks. The courts may order a defendant to pay a fine, and their income may be at risk if they cannot drive themselves to and from work.
Trying to arrange for alternate means of transportation, possibly by using public transportation or rideshare services, might prove to be too expensive or too unreliable for someone’s daily needs. Losing a driver’s license can put someone’s career at risk and can prove inconvenient for their entire family. For many people, the license penalties that often accompany a DWI charge prove to be the biggest challenge associated with impaired driving charges. Does everyone accuse of a DWI offense in Texas typically lose their driver’s license?
Yes, licensing penalties are standard
Even a first-time DWI could lead to the loss of someone’s license. The state can impose a lengthy driver’s license suspension based solely on someone’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and not on poor skills at the wheel or a crash that they caused. Prior offenses and a BAC well over the legal limit can lead to even longer suspensions.
Judges in Texas can typically impose licensing suspensions that last for up to two years, although those facing a first-time DWI may only lose their driving privileges for a few months in some cases. Some drivers, including those with elevated BACs, may need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle after their suspension. They will have to perform a test every time they start their vehicle, and the driver will have to pay the costs of installing that IID in the vehicle.
License suspension is typically mandatory unless someone successfully defends against their pending DWI charges. Those who bring in professional support and fight back against the drunk driving accusations brought against them can potentially preserve their driving privileges and avoid the other possible penalties assigned at a judge’s discretion after a DWI conviction or guilty plea.
Learning more about possible penalties may help those who have been recently arrested based on allegations of impairment at the wheel make more informed decisions about their defense strategy. Seeking legal guidance proactively is usually the best first step forward under such circumstances.