Drinking and Driving this New Years Eve

I am sure that many of you have seen the billboards across the highways of Texas that read "Drink. Drive. Go to Jail."  Well not exactly.

It is not illegal to drink and drive.  It is illegal to drive while intoxicated (DWI).  Intoxication is defined as losing the normal use of your mental and/or physical faculties or having a blood alcohol level of .08 or more.  The intoxication can be caused by alcohol or some other substance.

DWIs have a boat load of penalties and is a very expensive offense.  Some of the possible penalties include:

First conviction

$2,000 maximum fine
Up to six months behind bars
Suspended driver's license for up to a year
$1,000 every year for three years to keep your driver's license

Second conviction

$4,000 maximum fine
Up to one year in jail
Suspended driver's license for up to two years
$1,500 every year for three years to keep your driver's license

Third conviction

$10,000 maximum fine
Two to ten years in prison
Suspended driver's license for up to two years
$2,000 every year for three years to keep your driver's license

If you are going out tonight, BE CAREFUL!  If you are going to drink and you think you will be over the limit designate a driver, take a cab, or just stay where you are until you are alright to drive.

However, if  you make a mistake and get charged with a DWI or are innocently accused there are many methods available to defend a DWI to eliminate or lessen the penalties associated with driving while intoxicated.