DWI Lawyer - Comal County, Texas
Being arrested for DWI in Comal County, Texas can have major consequences, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is very important that anyone facing a Texas DWI charge understand what challenges they will encounter. It is important you seek the legal advice of a capable and knowledgeable DWI lawyer immediately. Call today for a quick and easy consultation.
What happens if you were arrested for DWI in Comal County, Texas?
Under Texas law, once you have been cited for violating the DWI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your license by the Texas Department of Public Safety. While both actions can result in the suspension of your Texas driving privileges, it is important to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider and each action must be handled on its own.
DWI Penalties for First Time Offenders
- Time in Jail - In Comal County, Texas, a first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) offender faces time in jail of at least 72 hours, up to 6 months in jail.
- Texas Driving Privileges and DWI - In Comal County, Texas, a first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction results in the revocation of Texas driving privileges for 90 days.
- Monetary Fines - In Comal County, Texas, fines for a first time DWI are a maximum of $2,000.00.
- Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DWI knowledge test and chemical assessment is required for reinstatement of Texas driving privileges.
- Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of Texas driver's license for 180 days.
- Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DWI statute with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of 0.04. A first time DWI or DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
DUI/DWI Laws
A person is considered to be legally intoxicated in Comal County, Texas, and may be arrested for DWI with a .08 BAC (blood alcohol content). That said, a person is also considered intoxicated if impaired due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC. For these reasons and more, it is very important you seek the legal advice of a capable and knowledgeable DWI lawyer immediately. Call today for a quick and easy consultation.
DWI Subsequent Offenses
Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DWI violations. Due to the complexity of DWI laws in Texas, you may not be aware of options and rights. This is why a competent and experienced attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a DUI / DWI lawyer for a consultation.
Additional Texas DWI Costs
In addition to any fines and court costs you will have to pay, there are other charges that can really add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs may include:
- Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.
- Towing - Having your vehicle towed in Comal County, Texas can be expensive.
- Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere, which is another additional cost.
- Auto Insurance - On top of everything else, once you do get your license back, there is a good chance your monthly premium is going to be higher.
As you can see, there are quite a few "hidden costs" when it comes to getting a DWI in Comal County, Texas.
DWI Penalties for Third Time Offenders
- Recurring Fee - There is an annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain your driver's license in Texas
- Driving Privileges - In Comal County, Texas, a third time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction results in the revocation of Texas driving privileges for up to 2 years.
- Time in Jail - In Comal County, Texas, a third time DUI / DWI offender faces time in jail of at least two years, up to 10 years in jail.
- Monetary Fines - In Comal County, Texas, fines for a third DWI are $10,000.
DUI Ignition Switch
After two or more DWI convictions in Texas within five years, you must install a special ignition switch that prevents your vehicle from being operated if you have been drinking.
DWI Penalties for Second Time Offenders
- Monetary Fines - In Comal County, Texas, fines for a second DWI are a maximum of $4,000.00.
- Recurring Fee - There is an annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain your driver's license in Texas
- Driving Privileges - In Comal County, Texas, a second time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction results in the revocation of Texas driving privileges for up to 2 years.
- Time in Jail - In Comal County, Texas, a second time DWI or DUI offender faces time in jail of at least one month, up to 1 year in jail.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. |