Texas DWI Penalties

DWI carries a wide range of penalties.  Your Dallas DWI lawyer will need to be experienced in handling whichever DWI charge that applies to your case.  The more times you have been convicted the more punishment you can expect the State of Texas to attempt to charge you with a higher DWI charge with a higher punishment range.  The more injury caused, the higher level DWI charge you can expect from the prosecutor. 

The following are range of punishment for DWI offenses in Texas:

a)      DWI 1^st (Class B Misdemeanor):  3 days to 180 days in county jail, fine up to $2000.00, license suspended for 90 to 365 days. 

b)    DWI 2^nd (Class A Misdemeanor): 180 days to 2 years in county jail, fine up to $4000.00, license suspended for 180 days to 2 years.

c)    DWI 3^rd (3^rd Degree Felony):  2 to 10 years in state jail, fine up to $10,000.00, license suspended for 180 days to 2 years. 

d)    DWI / Open Container (first) (Class B Misdemeanor):   Add 6 days in jail to above DWI 1^st.

e)    DWI / accident causing serious bodily injury (3^rd Degree Felony):  2 to 10 years in state jail, fine up to $10,000.00, also known as intoxication assault. 

f)     DWI / accident causing death (2^nd Degree Felony): 2 to 20 years in state jail, fine up to $10,000.00, also known as Intoxication Manslaughter or Manslaughter with Deadly Weapon).

g)     DWI / child passenger (State Jail Felony): 180 days to 2 years in state jail, fine up to $10,000.00, includes any minor in vehicle under 15 years old.