DWI In Texas: An Overview Of The Penalties Part II
Discover The Penalties For A DWI In Texas (Continued)
You may get a suspension of a jail, fine, or even have your license suspended and this is commonly called probation. Something else that you could notice is that this could be seen as a conviction for the DWI and it could be going to jail, paying a fine, or even losing your license.
Example: The Judge says, “Mr. Defendant, you have a sentence to jail for 180 days and a fine of $2,000.00, and you have a suspension of your driver’s license for a year.”
The defendant may reply, “I can’t believe that I am going to jail!” that is how you could feel and then you will have a relief as the judge could say, “I am going to put a probate on the sentence. The time is probated for a year time, have to pay a 1,500.00 fine, and the suspension of your license is probated.”
This is going to mean that you are going to have the chance to avoid the jail time if you behave for a year, but only have to pay five hundred bucks of the fine, and if you still behave for the year your license will not be taken.
“Wait” is the common reply followed up by what does behave mean? What this means is the judge has just given you a great deal that you should not refuse. This deal is simply a contract between you and the court, basically saying that the judge will not put you in jail or pay the entire fine or remove your license.
The difference is you are going to have to agree to a probation time period and you are going to agree to these items:
- Have a probation officer to report to monthly.
- Not to go out and commit any more crimes during probation.
- Pay a supervisory fee that is going to the probation office each month.
- Make sure you get a set amount of community service hours completed.
- Make sure that you are going to educational classes that will teach you about the impact that alcohol can have on you and others who are involved in DWI accidents.
- Not be able to drink any type of alcohol during your probation.
- Pay the fines that are not probated and the cost for the court.
- You will have to submit to a breath test when it is asked of you by a law enforcement officer or even a court official.
- Have the alcohol ignition locking device installed on your car if you are required and only use the cars that have this device.
- Often you have to make a donation to a crime-fighting organization.
- You have to remain at your current residence unless the court allows you to leave it.
- Meet any other requirements the court sets forth.
While the punishment in Houston is not the same as everywhere else, you will find that punishment, in general, will be the same. What else you need to consider is prior convictions can easily lead to you getting a misdemeanor or even a felony. If you have already been arrested for a DWI then you will most likely have a punishment that can change your life.
Contact Butler Law Firm or call us today for more information. For more related articles, visit our blog.