Texas DUI
Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or any other controlled substance is commonly called as driving under the influence or DUI. In Texas, these events are dealt with administrative penalties as well as prosecuted as criminal offenses. The alcohol content in a person's breath, blood, or urine must not equal or exceed .08 percent; otherwise that person is lawfully considered driving under the influence.
What are considered as a Texas DUI offense?
However, in some situations, the .08 percent is not the only indicator of a DUI offense. Intoxication of any substance that causes loss of control of mental or physical abilities is also labeled as a DUI offense, as well as ingestion of any type of alcohol while driving.
What are the penalties for a Texas DUI offense?
Minimum jail time for a DUI offense is 72 hours; however, this may extend to six days if the offender is found with any open container of alcohol. In Texas, any type of vehicle – whether for water or air – driven in a public place while intoxicated is considered a crime.
A first-time DUI offense in Texas whether convicted or not results in automatic suspension of the offender's driver's license. Suspension could be anytime from 90 days to one year. In addition to the suspension, attending an educational program for DUI offenders may also be required by the authorities.
Declining to undergo a test for alcohol content when the officer has sufficient reason to believe that the person is driving under influence could also result in automatic suspension, depending on the offender's age.
Subsequent DUI convictions are subject to longer license suspension (18 months) with a fine to be paid after the period has ended. The interval of license suspension will increase with every subsequent test that indicates intoxication. The same is true for each subsequent time an offender refuses to undergo breath, blood, or urine tests. A hearing is allowed each time under any condition. Seeking assistance from a reputable Texas DUI lawyer is recommended.
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