First DWI Conviction Penalties
Call Houston DWI Lawyer Clyde W. Burleson at ☎ 713-628-1503 For a Free Consultation
First DWI Conviction Penalties in Houston, Texas?
First DWI penalties in Texas are severe. You may have heard the phrase “Don’t Mess with Texas.” It wasn’t created with criminal prosecution of DWI in Texas in mind, but it might as well have been. Your first DWI offense in Houston, Texas is nothing to be taken lightly and the penalties you can expect are severe.
First DWI Conviction Penalties
- Offense Level: Class B Misdemeanor
- Maximum Fine: Up to $2,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $3,000
- Jail Range: 72 hours to 180 days in county jail
- License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year
+ Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at or over .15
- Offense Level: Class A Misdemeanor
- Maximum Fine: Up to $4,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $6,000
- Jail Range: 72 hours to 1 year in county jail
- License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year
+ Open Container Enhancement
- Offense Level: Up to a Class A Misdemeanor
- Maximum Fine: Up to $4,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $6,000
- Jail Range: 6 days to 180 days in county jail
- License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year
DWI Conviction with Child Passenger – Child Younger than 15 Years of Age
- Offense Level: State Jail Felony
- Maximum Fine: Up to $10,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $6,000
- Jail Range: 6 months to 2 years in state jail
- License Suspension: 90 days to 2 year
Intoxication Assault (DWI with Injury)*
- Offense Level: 3rd Degree Felony
- Maximum Fine: Up to $10,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $6,000
- Jail Range: 2 to 10 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
- License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
Intoxication Manslaughter (DWI Death)*
- Offense Level: 2nd Degree Felony
- Maximum Fine: Up to $10,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $6,000
- Jail Range: 2 to 20 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
- License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
DWI with Commercial Driving License (CDL)
- Offense Level: Up to a Class A Misdemeanor
- Maximum Fine: Up to $4,000
- State Surcharge / Superfines: Up to $6,000
- Jail Range: 6 days to 180 days in county jail
- License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year
The only thing good about a first-time DWI conviction is that it is not a second DWI conviction. Additionally, with a first time DWI there is potential to get deferred adjudication, pre-trail intervention and to get your DWI offense sealed from your permanent record.
Call DWI Lawyer Clyde Burleson
If you or a loved one are considering pleading the case out to put it behind you, think again. The system does not offer you any leniency because you are accountable. You are setting yourself up for failure and possibly seriously damaging the rest of your life. Don’t let you one mistake be the one that ruins your life. Call Clyde W. Burleson, P.C. today 24/7 at 713-628-1503
* Penalties are increased in the case of “enhanced offenses.” These are defined by Texas Penal Code § 49.09, and include injuring a firefighter, peace officer, or other emergency medical personnel, or causing a traumatic brain injury that results in a persistent vegetative state.
