Driving Under the Influence

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Charges can be extremely serious. Let Us Help.

If you have a child who is under the age of 21 who has been arrested for DUI in Texas, it is extremely important to speak to Houston DUI Lawyers as quickly as possible. The quicker your Houston DWI Attorney is on the case, the more likely he or she will be able to minimize the eventual outcome of the case. Texas DUI laws can be frustrating to understand, but under 21 DUI in Texas charges can potentially be very serious. If the DUI in Texas charge for drugs, the same is true—contact experienced Houston Criminal Lawyers immediately.


DUI in Texas vs. DWI in Texas - In the state of Texas, a person of any age can be convicted of DWI in Texas if that person’s BAC is 0.08 percent or higher. A person of any age can also be convicted of DWI in Texas if he or she appeared to lack the “normal use of mental or physical faculties” due to ingesting an excess amount of alcohol, a legal or illegal drug, or any other substance. That being said, the state of Texas also has specific laws which apply only to underage drivers who drive after drinking alcohol or ingesting drugs. Texas has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking and driving, meaning even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs in a minor’s system can trigger a DUI in Texas.


In other words, there is no legal limit for a person who is under the age of 21 when it comes to drinking and driving. If there is a barely traceable amount of alcohol or drugs in the system of a person under the age of 21, then that person could be charged with DUI in Texas. If the person under the age of 21 has a BAC of 0.08 or higher, he or she could be charged with DWI in Texas instead of DUI in Texas. The penalties for DWI in Texas are considerably more severe than those for DUI in Texas, so it is in your best interests to let experienced Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys defend your charges following your Harris County Arrest. While you would rarely spend time in Harris County Jail for a DUI in Texas, you could definitely spend time behind bars if you are convicted for a DWI in Texas.


Penalties for a DUI in Texas - The penalties for a DUI in Texas vary, depending on the age of the offender. If the driver is less than 17 years old, driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a Class C misdemeanor. If convicted of a DUI in Texas if you are under the age of 17, you could still be assessed a fine as large as $500, a minimum 60-day license suspension, and 20-40 hours of community service. Additionally, you could be required to attend an Alcohol Awareness Course. Your parents could also be required to attend the course as well.


If you are between the ages of 17 and 20, driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a Class B misdemeanor. Your penalties will be determined in part by whether you have any prior infractions as an underage driver. A conviction of DUI in Texas for a driver between the ages of 17 and 20 who has prior convictions could result in fines as high as $2,000, jail time from 72 hours to 180 days, and a minimum one-year driver’s license suspension. When coupled with community supervision and the use of an ignition interlock device, the driver’s license suspension could be reduced to 90 days. Community service could be upped to 40-60 hours and you could be required to attend an Alcohol Awareness Course.


Alternatives to Prosecution for DUI in Texas - There are certain alternatives to prosecution which are available to underage offenders charged with DUI in Texas, however these alternatives are regulated from county to county and are primarily reserved for low-risk offenders whom the judge feels would benefit from rehabilitation rather than a more punitive approach. If you have two or more juvenile DWI in Texas offenses, you likely will not be eligible for these alternatives to prosecution. Deferred prosecution is reserved for Class A or Class B misdemeanors, and low-risk, first-time offenders. Deferred prosecution may involve restitution, community service and counseling.


Teen court, is for those who are charged with a Class C misdemeanor. Teen court is a voluntary program which requires involvement in the judicial process as well as community service, and once your participation in the program is complete, the citation will be dismissed. It is also important to remember that under the implied consent laws of Texas, underage drivers who are lawfully arrested for DUI in Texas must submit to blood or breath BAC chemical testing. Underage drivers who refuse BAC testing can be placed in jail until they either post a bond or appear before a judge in juvenile court. Further, a refusal to undergo BAC testing will result in a license suspension of 180 days, or, if the driver is unlicensed, a delay in obtaining a driver’s license.


Getting Help from Houston DUI Lawyers - Whether you are charged with DWI in Texas or DUI in Texas, it is important to speak to knowledgeable Sullo & Sullo Houston Criminal Defense Lawyers. We are Houston Criminal Defense Lawyers with Payment Plans, while our highly experienced Houston DUI Attorneys work hard on your behalf to minimize the possibility of spending time in Harris County Jail. We will try to deal directly with the Harris County District Attorney, negotiating on your behalf. If you are eligible, we will seek out alternatives to prosecution, allowing you to potentially avoid jail time or high fines, and potentially even have your record expunged eventually, so you will not have to deal with the adverse effects of having Harris County Criminal Records. The Sullo & Sullo Houston DUI Attorneys have been helping those who find themselves in the same situation for many years. We understand that good people can make one bad decision, and that bad decision should not follow you for the remainder of your life. If you are facing a DUI in Texas, do not try to decipher the Texas DUI Laws on your own—contact knowledgeable Houston Criminal Defense Lawyers today.

WARNING: Do not send any information in any email through this website if you consider the information confidential or privileged.

I understand that by submitting my contact information to Sullo & Sullo LLP for review, I consent to messages regarding this legal matter as well as marketing for other potential legal matters in the future without limitation at standard messaging and data rates unless terminated by me in writing. I further understand that my submission of any and all information in response to this website does NOT create a lawyer-client relationship between myself and Sullo & Sullo, LLP and/or its lawyers, and that any and all information submitted is NOT confidential or privileged. I further acknowledge that, unless Sullo & Sullo, LLP subsequently enters into an Attorney-Client relationship with me, any and all information I provide will NOT be treated as confidential or privileged, and any such information may be used against me and/or for the benefit of current or future clients of Sullo & Sullo, LLP. ...READ ENTIRE DISCLAIMER
Receive an Immediate Response
ANDREW SULLO IS A TOP 100 NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYER 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019
Obtener una Respuesta Inmediata
Andrew Sullo – 100 Mejores Abogados Nacional | 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017


4.6/5.0

STARS ON YELP
WITH OVER 400 REVIEWS*

*AS OF JANUARY 2024



Andrew Sullo has been named a

TOP 100 NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYER*
2013-2024

*BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS

 

CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION
(800) 730-7607
CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION (713) 839-9026 CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION (713) 335-9485


Andrew Sullo is a recipient of the

AVVO CLIENT'S CHOICE AWARD*
2016, 2017, 2019-2024

*GIVEN BY AVVO


Justice

Andrew Sullo is a Member of the

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE
2013-2024

*GRANTED BY THE AAJ

 

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER, CONTACT SULLO & SULLO IMMEDIATELY.
CALL NOW
(800) 730-7607
CALL NOW
(713) 839-9026
CALL NOW
(713) 335-9485

GET LEGAL HELP