Drunk Driving Texas Penalties
Reader’s Question:
What are the penalties if you get convicted of DUI in Texas?
Mike
Austin TX
The state of Texas is tough on drinking and driving as evidenced by its rules concerning driving under the influence. An officer of the law can stop you anytime and ask for a breath or blood test for alcohol level. That also means DUI Texas penalties are stiffer compared to other states. In terms of fines, Texas has expensive ones. On the first offense, the fine could be as high as $2,000. Second and third offenses would be up to $4,000 to $10,000 respectively. In terms of days spent in jail, the first offense would at least be 72 hours to 180 days. Succeeding arrests could be as high as 10 years imprisonment. For the suspension of the driving license, the lowest is 90 days for first time offenders and up to two years for those who have been arrested more than once.
Since the state has a zero tolerance policy, DUI Texas penalties for drivers under 21 who are in possession of alcohol could include a 30-day suspension of the driver’s license, a fine of $500 or $2,000 if you are at least 17 years old, up to 40 hours of community service, and a must attendance in an alcohol-awareness class.
Aside from dealing with the impact of the DUI Texas penalties, getting a conviction can also impact your insurance, which means your rates could be doubled or tripled depending on the gravity of your violation. This will worsen your situation since you will need to pay for the fine, spend time in jail, possibly get an SR-22 form and pay your insurer a higher premium rate when the policy is up for renewal. Your conviction record will remain with the Department of Motor Vehicles so there’s little chance of you skirting around that arrest.
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