Driving While Intoxicated, or DWI, is a serious criminal offense in the state of Texas in which a person operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
When drunk driving leads to a deadly accident, the driver faces some of the most serious penalties available under Texas law. In some cases, the state may charge the driver with felony murder. While DWI accidents are rarely intentional, when a person dies during the commission of another felony (i.e., the DWI itself), it can […]
Everyone knows that drunk driving is illegal in Texas. What you may not know is that there are additional rules that apply when an open container of alcohol is found in a car. Even when there is no proof of drunk driving, the open container alone can land you in legal trouble. With that in […]
DWI accidents present a unique challenge for law enforcement. Under normal circumstances, a police officer needs to obtain either a suspect’s permission or a warrant before conducting a blood test to determine potential intoxication levels. Such a test is considered a “search” under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But the courts do make […]
A DWI-related auto accident can leave you facing not just serious jail time, but also a crippling financial debt. In addition to criminal fines for intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter, a judge can order you to pay restitution to any victims of the accident. And this can leave you on the hook for a six-figure […]
During the holiday season, many Houston-area residents will attend social gatherings where alcohol is served. Aside from the obvious–never drive while intoxicated–it is also important to remember Texas has strict open container laws. So while it is perfectly legal to transport unopened beer, wine, and liquor bottles in your car or truck, make sure there […]
When there’s an auto accident that seriously injures another person, Houston-area law enforcement will move quickly to determine whether or not the responsible driver was intoxicated. DWI accidents take on an even higher degree of urgency if an innocent person is killed. In such cases, a driver may face an intoxication manslaughter charge, which is […]
Driving with an open container of alcohol in your car is never a good idea. For one thing, it’s against the law. And if you are charged with drunk driving, the open container’s presence may lead to enhanced DWI penalties. But you also need to consider that once a police officer spots an open container […]
A DWI accident is more complicated than a simple drunk driving case simply because there are victims to consider. Even in cases where the victims are not killed or seriously injured, the drunk driver may still be criminally liable to pay restitution to the victims. Under Texas law, a court may order such restitution as […]
A DWI accident is obviously more complicated than the run-of-the-mill drunk driving arrest. There tend to be more police involved with the investigation of an accident, especially where someone has been seriously injured or killed. And if you are the person suspected of causing the accident, you need to be prepared to deal with the […]
An open container violation can lead to more legal problems than you think. If a police officer finds an open liquor container in your car, you can be cited for a Class C misdemeanor. But if the officer uncovers evidence you committed another offense–such as DWI or possession of illegal drugs–you may face significantly more […]