Drunk driving can have a permanent effect on your life in more ways than one. From license suspension to fines to time in prison, the consequences of a DWI are never small. In the case of a Plano man, initials R.D., his repeat offenses spelled out a 40-year prison term.
On March 7, Mr. D. had a court hearing where a significant amount of evidence was provided against him (he had been arrested for six previous DWI offenses). After the lunch recess, Mr. D. failed to return to the hearing. The judge finished the trial anyway and sentenced Mr. D. to 40 years in prison, having found him guilty. It wasn't until Monday, April 2 that Mr. D. turned himself in at a county sheriff's office. Because of his multiple offenses, this 48-year-old man may likely spend the remaining years of his life in prison. Any family he may have had will now be on their own, unable to spend the next four decades with him in their lives. Some of his friends may never see him again. Anything that he worked for in life may have been for nothing.
In Texas, penalties for driving while intoxicated are compounded for each repeat offense. Your first offense is a Class B Misdemeanor, resulting in a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term up to six months, and community service of up to 100 hours. Your second offense is raised to a Class A Misdemeanor and includes a license suspension for up to two years, a fine of up to $4,000, jail time up to one year, community service of up to 200 hours, and a deep lung air device will likely be required. A deep lung air device is a breathalyzer that is installed in a DWI offender's vehicle and requires them to pass the test before they can start their car. Your third or subsequent offense escalates to a felony. Penalties include a fine up to $10,000, jail time of up to 10 years, community service of up to 600 hours, and a deep lung air device will likely be installed in your vehicle.
As you may have noticed, Mr. D.'s sentence exceeded any of those listed above. However, considering the fact that he had six offenses without showing any kind of change or reform in his behavior, a harsher sentence was given. One should never drink and drive, and if you have been convicted of a DWI before, let it be your last. Mr. D's case may be an extreme exception, but even a second or third offense can have cause permanent damage to your life and the lives of those you love.
There may also be occasions, however, when a person faces false DWI charges. In cases such as this, it is vital for that person to find a competent and skilled DWI attorney before they can do nothing but face the fines and jail time for a crime they did not commit. If you are in this situation, get the legal counsel and representation you need. Contact a Plano criminal defense attorney today.
On March 7, Mr. D. had a court hearing where a significant amount of evidence was provided against him (he had been arrested for six previous DWI offenses). After the lunch recess, Mr. D. failed to return to the hearing. The judge finished the trial anyway and sentenced Mr. D. to 40 years in prison, having found him guilty. It wasn't until Monday, April 2 that Mr. D. turned himself in at a county sheriff's office. Because of his multiple offenses, this 48-year-old man may likely spend the remaining years of his life in prison. Any family he may have had will now be on their own, unable to spend the next four decades with him in their lives. Some of his friends may never see him again. Anything that he worked for in life may have been for nothing.
In Texas, penalties for driving while intoxicated are compounded for each repeat offense. Your first offense is a Class B Misdemeanor, resulting in a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term up to six months, and community service of up to 100 hours. Your second offense is raised to a Class A Misdemeanor and includes a license suspension for up to two years, a fine of up to $4,000, jail time up to one year, community service of up to 200 hours, and a deep lung air device will likely be required. A deep lung air device is a breathalyzer that is installed in a DWI offender's vehicle and requires them to pass the test before they can start their car. Your third or subsequent offense escalates to a felony. Penalties include a fine up to $10,000, jail time of up to 10 years, community service of up to 600 hours, and a deep lung air device will likely be installed in your vehicle.
As you may have noticed, Mr. D.'s sentence exceeded any of those listed above. However, considering the fact that he had six offenses without showing any kind of change or reform in his behavior, a harsher sentence was given. One should never drink and drive, and if you have been convicted of a DWI before, let it be your last. Mr. D's case may be an extreme exception, but even a second or third offense can have cause permanent damage to your life and the lives of those you love.
There may also be occasions, however, when a person faces false DWI charges. In cases such as this, it is vital for that person to find a competent and skilled DWI attorney before they can do nothing but face the fines and jail time for a crime they did not commit. If you are in this situation, get the legal counsel and representation you need. Contact a Plano criminal defense attorney today.
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