We have discussed Texas open container laws many times before. To briefly recap, if you are caught by law enforcement with any open container of liquor in the passenger area of your vehicle, you can be cited for a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a $500 fine but no jail time. Of course, if you […]
When police respond to the scene of a car accident, they are not just looking to render assistance to anyone who has been injured. They are also looking for any evidence of drunk driving. And if an officer finds such evidence, the person identified as the driver may face serious criminal charges. This recent case […]
When there is any evidence to suggest that a traffic accident was the result of intoxication–which covers both drug and alcohol use–the driver may face intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault charges if anyone else was killed or injured. These are serious crimes that can land a person in jail for decades depending on the circumstances […]
If you are arrested for drunk driving, the presence of an open container of alcohol in your vehicle can add fuel to the legal fire. In Texas, a first-time DWI is charged as a Class C misdemeanor, but with an open-container enhancement that gets bumped to a Class B misdemeanor. In practical terms, this effectively […]
Even if you are not driving while intoxicated, it is still against the law in Texas to have an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of your vehicle. This means you can be stopped and cited by an officer if there is a half-empty beer can or wine bottle on the floor of […]
Most states have some form of open container law. In Texas, this refers to a specific statute that prohibits an individual from operating any kind of motor vehicle while there is an open “bottle, can or other receptacles that contain any amount of alcoholic beverage” in it. In other words, it is perfectly fine to […]
There are a number of national parks near Houston, including Big Thicket National Preserve, Padre Island National Seashore, and Big Bend National Park. These parks are popular recreational sites with Houston residents and other visitors alike. But when enjoying these parks, it is important to obey all applicable federal laws and regulations. For example, there […]
Drunk driving accidents can lead to serious criminal and civil consequences. And there are times when the intersection of civil and criminal can lead to conflict. We recently discussed a decision from the Texas First District Court of Appeals in Houston on the subject of whether a person accused of criminal DWI can be forced […]
Non-celebrity DWI cases typically do not make national headlines. But there is always the exception that proves the rule. Consider this recent CNN report: A local sheriff’s department in Ohio is currently looking for two men suspected of drinking while driving a horse-and-buggy. According to CNN, the two men are apparently members of the local […]
An open container of alcohol in a car is a red flag for a police officer. And with good reason. It is a misdemeanor under Texas law to have an open container in the passenger area of a car, regardless of whether or not the driver is legally intoxicated. Of course, where there is an […]