WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR A DWI IN TEXAS?

First time DWI offenders with less than .15 BAC have the possibility of a fine not to exceed $3,000.00 and/or a jail sentence from 3 days to 180 days, and a driver’s license suspension of 90 to 365 days (Class B Misdemeanor). Offenders with a BAC over .15 can have a fine up to $6,000.

With a second offense DWI the maximum fine increases to no more than $4,500.00 and/or jail from 30 days to one year, and a possible driver’s license suspension ranging from 180 days to 2 years (Class A Misdemeanor).

In a third offense DWI you may receive a fine up to $10,000.00 and/or 2 to 10 years of imprisonment, and suspension of your driver’s license ranging from 180 days up to 2 years (3rd Degree Felony).

DWI with a child passenger is where a person is DWI and there is another person in the vehicle who is under 15 years of age. Punishment is by confinement in State jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days and a fine not to exceed $10,000.00 (State Jail Felony).

For an intoxication assault where an accident occurred with serious bodily injury resulted as a proximate cause of the intoxication. Upon conviction, the penalties for DWI are more severe. You can be sentenced to a minimum of two years and up to a maximum of 10 years in prison and may be fined up to $10,000.00.

Intoxication manslaughter is a DWI where a death occurred in an accident and where the intoxication was the proximate cause of the death. Upon conviction, you can be sentenced to pay a maximum fine of $10,000.00 and/or be imprisoned from two to 20 years (2nd Degree Felonies).

Under Texas law, a person commits a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense when the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. 

In Texas, a person is legally intoxicated and may be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with a .08 BAC. A person is also intoxicated if impaired due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC.