Austin DWI Defense for College Students

What is A DWI?

Driving While Intoxicated, also known as DWI, is a severe drug and alcohol-related offense. A DWI charge and related consequences are different for minors than adults 21 years or older. Anyone under the legal drinking age of 21 is considered underage. Familiarize yourself with Texas DWI laws to understand what constitutes a DWI, your rights, and possible consequences.

DWI and DUI are similar terms that are often used interchangeably. DUI stands for Driving Under Influence. DWI and DUI both refer to drivers who are impaired by drugs, alcohol, or other substance. Some states use the term DUI; Texas uses the term DWI.

Texas has a Zero Tolerance law regarding persons under the age of 21 who faces an alcohol-related incident. For adults at least 21 years old, a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% constitutes the maximum BAC limits for drivers. However, people under the age of 21 are not legally allowed to drink alcohol, which means they should have a BAC of 0.0%. A minor should have no detectable levels of alcohol in their system.

The Texas law for implied consent for minors states that anyone under the age of 21 who has a detectable amount of alcohol in their body must partake in a blood or breath test to confirm the level of intoxication. If blood or breath tests reveal an evident amount of alcohol or other controlled substances, then the minor will be subject to the loss of driving privileges. The duration of license suspension ranges from 60 days for a first offense, 120 days for a second violation, and 180 days for a third infraction. In addition to driver’s license suspension, there are typically other consequences as well.

What Should You Do If You Face A DWI Charge?

If you are a student who is facing a DWI charge, you should contact a defense attorney right away. The sooner you seek legal counsel, the better your chances will be to have the charges dropped or reduced.

You may worry that hiring a lawyer to help you with your DWI charge would be a waste of money. While it may be tempting to forgo a trial and accept a conviction, it is in your best interest to avoid a conviction and seek reduced charges. Handling a DWI charge is a time-sensitive matter; you need to act quickly. Attorneys understand students’ financial situation; many attorneys and lawyers in Texas offer payment plans for students in need.

What are the DWI Penalties for College Students?

For a college student who is at least 17 years old but less than 21 years old, a first DWI conviction is a Class B Misdemeanor; it is punishable by a fine up to $2,000, 3 to 180 days in jail, and up to one year of driver’s license suspension. You may also be required to participate in drug and alcohol education classes and participate in community service.

In addition to a DWI conviction’s legal repercussions, college students may be subject to additional penalties set forth by the specific college’s policies. Texas law does not require you to inform the college you attend about your arrest. The college may become aware of your arrest if another student reports you to the school or if a campus police officer arrested you. Typically, an arrest will not affect your affiliation with the school unless the charge against you involves sexual assault.

DWI Defense for Underage Drivers

It is possible to defend yourself against a DWI charge with the assistance of an experienced DWI attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who is skilled at helping students who face DWI charges will be able to help you seek deferred adjudication or dropped or reduced charges. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on exactly what you need to do to have the best outcome possible for your unique situation. If you are a student driver facing a DUI or DWI, don’t hesitate. Give us a call today!