If you’ve been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, a conviction can easily cost you your drivers license—or at least restrict your ability to drive. Texas state law sometimes allows drivers charged with DWI to get back behind the wheel if they agree to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle.
If you’re caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .08 percent in Texas, or if you refuse a roadside sobriety test, you can have your license confiscated on the spot.
The officer who stopped you will take your license right then and there, even before you’ve had a chance to make your case in court. You can get your license suspended or revoked even if you’re not actually charged with DWI. This is known as administrative license revocation, or ALR.
You’ll be given fifteen days during which you can drive under a temporary permit that you’ll be issued by the officer at the scene. You can request a hearing during this time, and your case will be heard by an administrative law judge. If you don’t request a hearing, your license will be automatically revoked for three months on the sixteenth day. After this, you will have a restricted license.
After thirty days, you may get your license back if you install an IID. If you were found to have a BAC level of .15 percent or higher, the court will be required by law to order the installation of an IID—even if it’s your first offense.
DWI charges are serious and can affect your life long after you’ve paid the penalty. If you are facing drunk driving charges, you might have more options available than you realize.
Don’t make the mistake of just accepting the charges and the consequences. Let us ensure that you retain your rights and get the best possible outcome. Call the defense attorneys of Tillman Braniff, PLLC today at 512-236-0505 or visit our website to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
