DWI Third Offense
Texas is one of the worst places in the U.S. to be arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – in fact, a third offense is prosecuted as a felony. Even worse, a prior DWI or DUI can be held against you no matter how long ago it occurred — two prior offenses committed decades ago can still be used to justify prosecuting you for a third offense. None of this changes if your prior offenses occurred in another state. If you have been charged with third-offense DWI in Houston, a good Houston DWI lawyer is a necessity.
Criminal Penalties
Driver’s License Penalties
Refusing to Submit to Testing
The irony is that you can be convicted of DWI even without the results of a breath of blood test. Not only can the officer testify that you appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the stop, but your refusal to submit to testing can be used against you in court to prove that you knew you were intoxicated.
Long Term Consequences of a Felony Conviction
- Loss of the right to vote
- Loss of the right to own or possess a gun
- Loss of professional licenses (varies by industry and state)
Your ability to secure employment and credit will also be seriously affected.