How Can A DWI Affect My Family?
When you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, it is critical to recognize that a conviction can affect many different aspects of your life. Although you might initially be thinking about the criminal penalties associated with a conviction, you should also be considering the impact a DWI conviction could have on your family. While your family will not directly face the penalties of a DWI in Texas, the effects of your conviction can be significant. Our firm can provide you with more information about defending against the DWI charges you are facing, but in the meantime, you should consider how a DWI could affect your family.
You Could Serve Jail Time That Takes You Away from Your Family
If you are convicted of a DWI—even if it is a first offense—you could serve jail time or a term of imprisonment that could take you away from your family. A first offense for a DWI is usually charged as a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in up to 180 days in jail. If a first offense involves a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher, you will face Class A misdemeanor charges, which can result in up to one year in jail. Subsequent offenses can result in felony charges, which carry additional jail time that can take you away from your family for an extended period of time.
You Could Lose Your License and Be Unable to Transport Your Child to School or Extracurricular Activities
If you are convicted of any DWI offense, your driver’s license will be suspended. The length of the suspension will depend upon the facts of your case, but a suspended license can prevent you from taking your kids to school or picking them up, or transporting them to extracurricular activities.
You Could Lose Your Ability to Do Your Job and to Support Your Family
Depending upon your job, a DWI conviction could result in you losing your job or being unable to work in an industry that requires you to have a clean driving record. If you lose your job—such as a job that requires driving—you could lose your ability to support your family if you are convicted.
Your Child Could Experience the Trauma of Witnessing Your Arrest and Conviction
If you are facing charges for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger, you will be facing state jail felony charges at a minimum, and your child will have to experience the trauma of witnessing your arrest. It can be devastating for a child passenger to see their parent stopped and arrested by the police, not to mention the added trauma of dealing with your DWI conviction if it results in jail time or a term of imprisonment.
Contact an Experienced DWI Defense Attorney in Temple, Texas
Are you facing DWI charges? You should understand that a DWI conviction can have implications that extend beyond the immediate penalties under Texas law, and you should seek help from a Temple DWI defense attorney who can help you to fight the charges you are facing. Do not hesitate to contact an aggressive criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC to get assistance with your defense.
Source:
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.49.htm#:~:text=Sec.-,49.04.,of%20confinement%20of%2072%20hours
