Texas DUI Defense Attorney Talks about Subsequent DUI Offenses
Sometimes, one DUI charge or conviction is all it takes to deter people from driving while intoxicated. For other people, driving under the influence of alcohol can be a very tough habit to break. The consequences for a first DUI are harsh, and the consequences for subsequent DUI charges increase in severity. It is important that drivers understand what could happen if they are convicted of a second or third DUI.
If you are a minor, you probably lost your license for ninety days when you got your first DUI. If you are charged with a second DUI, you could face one hundred and twenty days of license suspension if you are convicted. If you get a third DUI, the license suspension increases to one hundred and eighty days.
Adult drivers who are convicted of a second DUI can be fined up to four thousand dollars and ordered to serve between one month and one year in jail. Additionally, you could lose your license for up to two years, and you will be required to pay a surcharge of up to two thousand dollars a year for three years in order to keep your driver’s license. You may also be required to attend a DUI intervention program or a DUI education program, and it is possible that you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
The stakes are even higher for adult drivers who are facing a third DUI. If you are convicted of a third DUI, you can be fined up to ten thousand dollars and sentenced to two to ten years in jail. Third offenses also carry a two year license suspension and a two thousand dollar per year surcharge for three years to maintain a driver’s license. DUI education or intervention programs and/or an ignition interlock device may also be required.
Any DUI conviction results in consequences that have a far-reaching impact on both the life of the person who is convicted and on their family and friends. In addition to the fines and penalties described above, there are expenses associated with being arrested for DUI, attorneys’ fees, and the additional costs of obtaining transportation while you are without a driver’s license. There are also non-economic costs associated with criminal convictions, including DUIs, such as difficulty in finding employment and housing. Adding the economic and non-economic costs of a second, third, or other subsequent DUI to the stress of getting through day to day life after a first DUI conviction could make things really difficult. Whether you are facing your first DUI or charges for a subsequent offense, it is essential that you give yourself the best possible change at a successful defense by enlisting the aid of a Texas DUI defense attorney. To learn how Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra can help you, call our office today, at (903) 753-7499. You may also reach us by submitting a convenient contact form on our website.
