1st DWI Offense in Frisco, Texas

In Texas, a first-time conviction for driving while intoxicated is considered a Class B Misdemeanor if there are no aggravating circumstances. In the event of a conviction, the potential penalties include a maximum of 180 days in prison and a fine of $2,000. It is possible that in addition to having your driver’s license revoked, you will also be required to serve a period of supervised probation. You may even need to obtain an Occupational Driver’s License.  If this is your first arrest for driving while intoxicated in Frisco, Texas or the surrounding areas, the following is a rundown of everything you need to be aware of.

FIRST DWI INVOLVING A BREATH TEST OFFENSE

Breath tests are both the simplest and most cost-effective technique for the police to establish whether or not an individual is under the influence of alcohol. You are within your legal rights to decline taking a breath test. However, if the state is still able to convict you of driving while intoxicated notwithstanding your denial, the repercussions might be serious. You will not only be liable to criminal penalties, but also to extra license suspension and fines as a form of punishment for refusing to provide a breath sample.

FIRST DWI WITH AN ACCIDENT

Clearly, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs raises the risk of getting involved in a collision. If this is your first time being suspected of driving under the influence, having an accident will undoubtedly make the situation much more serious and likely will result in much harsher treatment from the Prosecuting attorney.  Additionally, if you have a prior conviction for driving while intoxicated and you are involved in an accident, the conviction might be upgraded to a felony. However, the charges that will be brought against you as well as the possible punishments will be determined by the amount of damage that your accident produced.

ACCIDENT CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE

If you are involved in an accident while under the influence of alcohol and the accident causes damage to property, you run the risk of being prosecuted with reckless damage or criminal mischief. Damage caused by carelessness is always considered a Class C Misdemeanor. A more serious offense, criminal mischief can either be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the damage caused. The amount of the charge that you will face is going to be proportional to the amount of property damage that you created.

AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN INJURIES

If you have a prior conviction for driving while intoxicated and are involved in an accident that results in significant physical damage to another person, the charge will be upgraded to a felony. An injury is considered serious if it results in permanent disability or deformity, or if it significantly increases the victim’s chance of passing away.

ACCIDENT CAUSING DEATH

If you cause the death of another person while driving under the influence for the first time, the charge will be upgraded to a felony. This includes anyone else who was riding with you at the time of the collision in your vehicle, especially if a child was involved. There is no set time frame for when someone dies; it might be minutes, hours, or even weeks. The crime of manslaughter due to intoxication is considered a felony of the second degree.