| Texas law defines DWI "repeat offenders" as people | | | | considered a felony offense, so the opportunity to go |
| who have been arrested for driving with a BAC of .15 | | | | to a clinic instead of prison may be very appealing to |
| or higher more than once in the last 10 years. The | | | | people who have been convicted twice or more |
| problem of repeat offenders is taken seriously in | | | | previously. |
| Texas, which has one of the highest DUI rates in the | | | | A person's prior history is also taken into consideration |
| country. This article will describe what you can expect | | | | when a judge decides for how long to suspend the |
| if you or someone you know has received a second | | | | person's license. The suspension for a first-time |
| drunk (or more) driving conviction. | | | | offense must be somewhere between ninety days |
| First, following conviction, the person is required to | | | | and one year. If the person has already been |
| undergo an assessment for a drug or alcohol | | | | convicted of drunk driving at least once at any point, |
| dependency problem. Everyone with multiple | | | | the suspension must be six months to two years. And |
| drunk-driving convictions, regardless of the outcome of | | | | if one of the prior convictions happened within five |
| their assessment, is required to complete 36 hours of | | | | years of the current one, the suspension must last |
| education on the dangerous of driving while intoxicated, | | | | from one to two years. |
| and drug or alcohol abuse in general. The goal of the | | | | Even if your license is suspended, you may be granted |
| program is not only to reduce the rate of drunk driving, | | | | an occupational license. This is a restricted license that |
| but to help people with substance abuse problems. | | | | only allows you to drive to work or a place of |
| The class focuses on accepting responsibility, building | | | | education. A long history of prior convictions will of |
| self-esteem and learning productive behaviors. This | | | | course make it harder to obtain even an occupational |
| program is offered in many different locations, by | | | | license. |
| various groups and charities authorized to do so by | | | | The consequences for DWI can vary widely, |
| the state. | | | | depending on the circumstances of the arrest and the |
| If the convicted person is evaluated as having a | | | | individual judge. When faced with charges of driving |
| problem with alcohol abuse or dependency, they may | | | | under the influence, it is very important to have good |
| also be given a choice by the judge: spend time in jail, | | | | representation. To learn more about DWI laws in |
| or in a rehabilitative program. A third DWI conviction is | | | | Texas, contact Dallas lawyer Mark T. Lassiter. |