Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Defense Attorney

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Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Laws in Texas

DWI First Offense: (Class B Misdemeanor)

Texas Penal Code § 49.04; Driving While Intoxicated

(a) A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.

(b) An offense is a class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.

(c) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person operating the motor vehicle had an open container of alcohol in the person's immediate possession, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of 6 days.

DWI Second Offense: (Class A Misdemeanor)

Texas Penal Code § 49.09

(a) If it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person has a previous conviction of DWI, this offense is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of 30 days.

DWI third Offense: (3rd Degree Felony)

Texas Penal Code § 49.09

(b) It is a 3rd degree felony if it is shown on the trial that the person has previously been convicted:

One time for the offense of Intoxicated Manslaughter in Texas or an offense under the laws of another state if the offense contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of Intoxicated Manslaughter.
Two times of any other offense relating to the operating of a motor vehicle while intoxicated, operating an aircraft while intoxicated, operating a watercraft while intoxicated, or operating or assembling an amusement ride while intoxicated.

DWI Intoxicated Assault (3rd Degree Felony)

Texas Penal Code § 49.07

(a) A person commits an offense if the person, by accident or mistake:

(1) While operating an aircraft, watercraft, or amusement ride while intoxicated, or while operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, by reason of intoxication causes “serious bodily injury” to another; OR

(2) As a result of assembling a mobile amusement ride while intoxicated causes "serious bodily injury" to another.

(b) "serious bodily injury" means injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

Texas Penal Code § Enhanced Offenses and Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Intoxicated Assault

Texas Penal Code § 49.09

(b-1) Intoxicated Assault is a felony of the 2nd degree if it shown on the trial of the offense that the person caused serious bodily injury to a peace officer, a firefighter, or emergency medical service personnel while in the actual discharge of an official duty.

DWI Intoxicated Manslaughter (2nd Degree Felony)

Texas Penal Code § 49.08

(a) A person commits an offense if the person:

(1) Operates a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; AND

(2) Is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.

(b) An offense under this section is a 2nd degree felony.

Texas Penal Code § Enhanced Offenses and Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Intoxicated Manslaughter

Texas Penal Code § 49.09

(b-2) Intoxicated Manslaughter is a felony of the 1st degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person caused the death of a peace officer, a firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel while in the actual discharge of an official duty.