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.
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 […]
If you are involved in a suspected DWI accident, the police will make every effort to take a blood sample from you for testing purposes. Even if you refuse to consent to such a test, a police officer can obtain a warrant from a magistrate if there is probable cause to suspect you were intoxicated […]
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 […]
A DWI accident can lead to multiple criminal charges, especially if the crash results in serious injury or death to another person. For example, a drunk driver who “causes the death of another by accident or mistake” may be charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony under the Texas Penal Code. Separately, the driver may […]
The state of Texas has fairly strict laws when it comes to driving while drinking or while under the influence of drugs. Over the past several years, the state has cracked down on drivers who violate those laws, resulting in large fines and even jail time for violators. There are a few things, called enhancements, […]