Here is some straight answers from our Houston Texas DWI Lawyer. Your punishment and fines for a first conviction depends upon a few factors that can escalate your punishment and fines. Depending upon your blood or breath alcohol level (BAC), you could be charged with a class A or B misdemeanor.

If your BAC less than .15, you’ll be charged with a class B misdemeanor and face: 

• the possibility of a fine no more than $2,000 and/or
• 3 to 180 days in jail and
• a suspended driver license from 90 to 365 days

Those penalties escalate if your BAC is .15 or more. Now you’ll face a class A  misdemeanor, which incurs:

• a fine not to exceed $4,000 and
• up to 1 year in the county jail.

Let’s say you have an open container in your vehicle when you are arrested. If you are convicted, the punishment increases requiring:

• a minimum jail sentence of 6 days (instead of 3 days).
• you’ll be assessed an annual tax (called a surcharge) of $1,000-$2,000 by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to retain your driver’s license.

2018 Trichter & LeGrand, PC