DRINKING AND DRIVING
HERE'S THE LAW: 21 OR OLDER
In Texas the legal limit for intoxication is .08 (blood or breath alcohol concentration). However, drivers can be stopped and cited when impaired regardless of BAC. Drivers and passengers can be fined up to $500 for having an open container in a vehicle.
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
First Offense
-Up to a $2000.00 fine
-Three to 180 days in jail upon conviction
-Loss of driver's license up to a year
-$1000.00 surcharge for three years to retain driver's license
Second Offense
-Up to a $4000.00 fine
-Five days to a year in jail upon conviction
-Loss of driver's license up to two years
-$1500.00 surcharge for three years to retain driver's license
Third Offense
-Up to a $10,000.00 fine
-Two to ten years in prison upon conviction
-10-60 days in jail if defendant receives probation
-Loss of driver's license up to two years
$2000.00 surcharge for three years to retain driver's license
*After two or more DWI convictions in five years, motorists must install a special ignition switch that prevents their vehicle from being operated if they've been drinking.
DWI With Child Passenger
Motorists can be charged with child endangerment for driving while intoxicated if they're carrying passengers younger than 15 years old. DWI with a child passenger is a felony punishable with:
-Up to $10,000.00 fine
-Up to two years in state jail
-Loss of driver's license for two years
HERE'S THE LAW: UNDER 21
It is illegal for minors (under 21) to purchase, attempt to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. It's aslo against the law for minors to misrepresent their age to obtain alcohol.
Minors in Possession (MIP)
Here's what happens the first time minors are found in possession of alcohol. Any amount of beer, wine or liquor trigger the penalties.
-Up to $500 fine
-30-180 day driver's license suspension
-eight - 40 hours of community service
-Mandatory alcohol awareness class
A second or third offense can lead to suspension of the minor's driver's license for 60-180 days.
Those 17 or older can be fined as much as $2,000 or go to jail for up to 180 days for a third offense or both, plus automatic driver's license suspension.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Here's what happens the first time a minor convicted of a DUI. Any amount of beer, wine or liquor can trigger the penalties.
-Up to $500 fine
-60 day driver's license suspension
-20-40 hours of community service
-Mandatory alcohol awareness classes
(Info taken from ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/cit/holidays/holiday_facts_eng_1209.pdf)
In Texas the legal limit for intoxication is .08 (blood or breath alcohol concentration). However, drivers can be stopped and cited when impaired regardless of BAC. Drivers and passengers can be fined up to $500 for having an open container in a vehicle.
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
First Offense
-Up to a $2000.00 fine
-Three to 180 days in jail upon conviction
-Loss of driver's license up to a year
-$1000.00 surcharge for three years to retain driver's license
Second Offense
-Up to a $4000.00 fine
-Five days to a year in jail upon conviction
-Loss of driver's license up to two years
-$1500.00 surcharge for three years to retain driver's license
Third Offense
-Up to a $10,000.00 fine
-Two to ten years in prison upon conviction
-10-60 days in jail if defendant receives probation
-Loss of driver's license up to two years
$2000.00 surcharge for three years to retain driver's license
*After two or more DWI convictions in five years, motorists must install a special ignition switch that prevents their vehicle from being operated if they've been drinking.
DWI With Child Passenger
Motorists can be charged with child endangerment for driving while intoxicated if they're carrying passengers younger than 15 years old. DWI with a child passenger is a felony punishable with:
-Up to $10,000.00 fine
-Up to two years in state jail
-Loss of driver's license for two years
HERE'S THE LAW: UNDER 21
It is illegal for minors (under 21) to purchase, attempt to purchase, possess or consume alcohol. It's aslo against the law for minors to misrepresent their age to obtain alcohol.
Minors in Possession (MIP)
Here's what happens the first time minors are found in possession of alcohol. Any amount of beer, wine or liquor trigger the penalties.
-Up to $500 fine
-30-180 day driver's license suspension
-eight - 40 hours of community service
-Mandatory alcohol awareness class
A second or third offense can lead to suspension of the minor's driver's license for 60-180 days.
Those 17 or older can be fined as much as $2,000 or go to jail for up to 180 days for a third offense or both, plus automatic driver's license suspension.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Here's what happens the first time a minor convicted of a DUI. Any amount of beer, wine or liquor can trigger the penalties.
-Up to $500 fine
-60 day driver's license suspension
-20-40 hours of community service
-Mandatory alcohol awareness classes
(Info taken from ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/cit/holidays/holiday_facts_eng_1209.pdf)