Getting arrested based on driving while intoxicated (DWI) allegations is an intimidating experience. Someone headed home for the evening might suddenly end up spending the night in state facilities. They may face criminal charges based on the claim that they drove after drinking too much.
The penalties that the courts can impose include jail sentences and large fines. A judge can also suspend someone’s driver’s license because of a drunk driving offense. Losing a driver’s license can be a very inconvenient experience. It can be expensive to secure alternate means of transportation, and those options may also be unreliable.
People may be unable to meet the needs of their family members or perform their jobs effectively if they lose their driver’s licenses. They may become dependent on others for transportation and could be at risk of losing their jobs even if their work doesn’t include driving.
How long can what Texas criminal judge suspend someone’s license for after a DWI conviction?
Prior offenses increase suspension length
DWI offenses have a high rate of recidivism, meaning that someone convicted of a first DWI could very well face similar charges in the future. The penalties possible and the severity of the charges increase with each subsequent offense.
If someone gets arrested for their first ever DWI and the situation does not involve them causing injury to others, the license suspension in their case might last for a full year. If someone has prior DWI convictions on their record, a judge can take that into consideration when sentencing them and may choose to suspend their license for up to two years.
The courts can also impose a two-year suspension if someone gets arrested for injuring another person in a DWI-related crash. The loss of driving privileges can be a major setback for someone with family responsibilities and a job. The decision to suspend a license is common in DWI cases, and judges decide the penalties when someone pleads guilty.
The only sure way to preserve driving privileges when facing a DWI charge in Texas is to defend against those allegations successfully. Fighting a DWI charge can help someone preserve their driver’s license and avoid a criminal record that could affect many aspects of their life in the future.