If you caused a drunk driving accident, you may be feeling terribly afraid of what your future will look like after this. Here is what you should know.
Drunk Driving Accident | What Will Happen
Intoxication assault (serious bodily injury) and intoxication manslaughter (fatality) are serious felony crimes, punishable by prison terms up to 10 years and 20 years, respectively. If convicted and sentenced to prison, a person will likely serve more than half or more of the sentence.
Our San Antonio DWI attorneys have been successful with motions to suppress and other strategies in seeking to spare clients from going to prison. We examine every possible defense and mitigating factor, including the underlying basis for DWI and whether intoxication was the primary cause of the accident. Did the other driver run a red light or contribute to the accident in some way? Were there obstructions or other factors? While preparing for trial, we also engage prosecutors in negotiations for alternatives to incarcerations, including house arrest, community service or substance abuse treatment.
Drunk Driving Accident | Penalties for DWI
In Texas, the penalties for a DWI conviction depend on several factors. Is it a first-time DWI? Is it a second-time DWI, or a third or more? What is the breath or blood test result that got you in trouble? If it’s a blood or breath test result under a .15 and it’s a first-time DWI, the range of punishment is up to six months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. However, I’ve never had anybody go to jail on a DWI-first with under a .15, and that’s with 30 years of defending DWIs. On a DWI-second and third, the penalties ratchet up dramatically. On a second, it’s up to one year in jail, and it’s up to a $4,000 fine. On a felony DWI, depending on the number of prior felonies, and if someone’s been to the penitentiary, all those play a role in determining the range of punishment. Generally, on a felony DWI, which is three or more DWIs, the range of punishment is up to 10 years in the penitentiary.
If you have questions about your drunk driving accident, please call our San Antonio DWI lawyers today for a free consultation.