Not all traffic infractions lead to tickets. Sometimes, traffic offenses lead to criminal charges, possibly even felony allegations. People get arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses because they overestimate their alcohol tolerance or underestimate how strong the drinks at a new restaurant actually are.
People often have no intention of driving drunk but may violate the law unintentionally. They might then expect to receive lenient treatment from the courts, especially if they decide to plead guilty. People often view a guilty plea as a means of being cooperative with the legal system.
However, they then accept a future impacted by a criminal record and whatever penalties the courts decide to impose. In some cases, drivers might end up facing felony charges after a DWI arrest. Who is at particularly high risk of a felony DWI charge in Texas?
Those with alcohol abuse disorders
Someone who struggles with alcoholism may have a hard time regulating their use of alcohol. They might repeatedly make the same mistakes regarding when they drive. Someone with multiple prior DWI convictions is theoretically at risk of a felony charge. Third or subsequent DWI allegations are felony offenses in Texas.
Those traveling with young children
Even someone accused of a first-time DWI offense could potentially end up facing felony charges. In Texas, the state can pursue felony child endangerment allegations against anyone who has a passenger in their vehicle who is under 15 years of age. Both teen drivers and parents with children are at risk of a felony DWI charge because of who else is in their vehicle at the time of their arrest.
Those who cause crashes
One of the reasons that Texas police officers so assertively enforce drunk driving laws is to protect the public from the risk of collisions. Drunk drivers cause crashes that injure or kill other people. If a crash results in injury or death, Texas prosecutors can bring felony charges against the impaired driver at fault for the collision.
Regardless of whether someone faces a misdemeanor or felony DWI charge, they may want to mount a defense in criminal court. Responding assertively to a DWI charge can potentially protect someone from jail time, fines and the loss of their driver’s license.