DWI Attorney in Houston, TX

What This Page Covers:

• Penalties: Facing a DUI charge in Texas can lead to severe consequences, including fines, jail time, and license suspension, which impact both personal and professional life.
• Texas DUI Laws: Texas Penal Code Section 49.04 outlines DUI laws, classifying offenses based on circumstances like alcohol levels, with penalties ranging from Class B to Class A misdemeanors.
• Legal Support: Retaining a qualified DUI defense attorney, like those at Mary E. Conn & Associates, is crucial for effective representation, minimizing consequences, and navigating legal complexities.
• Underage DUI: Texas’ Zero Tolerance Law enforces strict penalties for underage drivers with any alcohol in their system, leading to fines and community service, emphasizing the gravity of underage DUI offenses.

When someone gets into their vehicle, whether after a long day at work or winding down at the bar with some friends, they never intend to get into an accident or drive unsafely. Most of us have very positive intentions and hope everyone around us is also interested in keeping us safe. However, drivers are all humans who are susceptible to making mistakes. Maybe you’re out drinking when you get a call from a family member with a severe emergency. While driving isn’t the best idea, you might not feel like you have many other options.

Getting charged with a DUI can feel like a huge blow. Of course, you would never want anyone to get hurt because you were drinking. While law enforcement may not always be understanding of your circumstances, a representative from the Mary E. Conn & Associates will be. Our team of Houston DUI defense attorneys is well-versed in supporting clients needing legal support, and they can do the same for you. Please call us now to retain high-quality help during this challenging time.

Penalties for a DUI Charge in Texas

You may be subject to specific penalties and other adverse effects if you are charged with a DUI in Texas. Facing consequences is especially likely if you receive a conviction. The following penalties are commonly given to those with a DUI offense:

• Fines
• Jail time
• License suspension
• License surcharges

Some aspects of your personal and professional life may also be affected if you are convicted of a crime. To reduce a conviction’s negative impacts, please call Mary E. Conn & Associates today. Our DUI defense attorneys have the tools and resources to reduce the severity of your charges and penalties.

Texas DUI Laws

DUI or DWI laws in Texas are dictated and described by Section 49.04 in the penal code. According to the code, driving while intoxicated is defined as the following:

1. “A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.
2. Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.
3. 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 six days.
4. If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that an analysis of a specimen of the person’s blood, breath, or urine showed an alcohol concentration level of 0.15 or more at the time the analysis was performed, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.”

In some cases, you can be charged with a misdemeanor for driving while intoxicated without having documented levels of alcohol in your system. Most often, law enforcement won’t have probable cause to stop and search you unless you are seen swerving or performing other suspicious behavior. However, driving under the influence is simply defined as driving a vehicle with substances in your system.

If you need a more thorough DUI law breakdown, don’t hesitate to contact Mary E. Conn & Associates. Our team can answer your questions and explain how different aspects of the law apply to your circumstances. Call us now to retain valuable support and fight for your rights.

How Can a Houston DUI Defense Attorney Help You?

Whenever someone is involved in legal matters, either as a defendant or a plaintiff, our team strongly recommends that they work with a qualified Houston DUI defense attorney with experience in their case type and needs. If you have been charged with a DUI in Texas, an attorney from Mary E. Conn & Associates could be an excellent and strategic choice. Our Houston DUI defense lawyers can support you by speaking on your behalf, fielding questions and communicating with other parties, and completing and filing your paperwork.

Our Houston DUI defense attorneys can also help you in many other ways to reduce your stress. Please refrain from representing yourself during your DUI case, as you risk facing worsened and unnecessary penalties with self-representation. By retaining support from an attorney, you are far more likely to be represented fairly, minimize potential consequences, and speed up litigation time.

Feel free to call our team at your earliest convenience to begin discussing the next steps in your legal journey. This will ensure our team has enough time to collect and analyze evidence, find and build strong defenses in your favor, and understand your needs and priorities.

Houston Underage DUI Charges & Potential Consequences

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense, but when the offender is underage, the consequences can be even more severe. In Houston, Texas, the laws are particularly stringent for underage drivers caught with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Understanding the implications and potential consequences of underage DUI charges is crucial for young drivers and their families.

Texas Zero Tolerance Law

Texas enforces a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking and driving. This means that any driver under the age of 21 caught with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system can be charged with DUI. Unlike the legal limit of 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for adults, underage drivers can face charges even if their BAC is well below this threshold.

Legal Consequences

The penalties for an underage DUI in Houston can vary depending on whether it is a first offense or if the individual has prior convictions. For a first-time offense, the consequences typically include:

• Fines: Underage DUI offenders may be subject to fines up to $500.
• Community Service: The court often mandates 20 to 40 hours of community service, typically related to alcohol education or prevention programs.
• License Suspension: A conviction can result in a driver’s license suspension for up to 30 days, which can increase with subsequent offenses.
• Mandatory Alcohol Education Classes: Offenders are usually required to attend alcohol education classes designed to prevent future offenses.
• Criminal Record: Although a first offense might be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, it can still result in a permanent criminal record, which can have long-term implications for educational and employment opportunities.

The penalties become more severe for repeat offenses. Subsequent convictions can lead to higher fines, longer community service hours, extended license suspension periods, and even jail time.

Additional Consequences

Beyond legal penalties, an underage DUI conviction can have far-reaching consequences. It can affect a young person’s academic standing, particularly if they are involved in school activities or sports with strict conduct policies. It can also impact college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities.

Employment prospects can also be adversely affected, especially for jobs that require driving or have stringent background check processes. Additionally, insurance premiums are likely to increase significantly, adding a financial burden to the young driver and their family.

Adult vs. Juvenile Charges

In Texas, individuals under the age of 17 are typically charged as juveniles. However, those aged 17 to 20 are considered adults in the eyes of the law for DUI offenses. This distinction is crucial because juvenile cases are usually handled in a separate court system focused on rehabilitation, whereas adult cases follow the criminal justice system with potentially harsher penalties.

Get Valuable Support From a Mary E. Conn & Associates DUI Defense Attorney in Houston, TX

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of a substance, you may be under a lot of stress and frustration. Legal matters can be complex, but you don’t have to manage these tasks alone. A Houston DUI defense lawyer from Mary E. Conn & Associates can be an excellent resource and support system as you handle the oncoming legal matters. Our team can guide you in the right direction and ensure you follow robust strategies.

Our talented and dedicated Houston DUI defense attorneys are prepared to support you in numerous ways. Our attorneys have been helping clients in need since 1985, and you deserve to work with a team that can provide high-quality support. You can reach us when you call us now at (713) 357-4190 or complete our contact form at your earliest convenience.