When Can a Texas DWI Mean Decades in Prison?

 Posted on September 12,2024 in DWI

Any DWI conviction is a serious matter in the Lone Star State, but if you continue to drink and drive, you could find yourself behind bars for decades – or for life. An Odessa man was recently sentenced to a plea deal term of 30 years in prison for a fifth DWI and a fifth felony conviction. In 2023, a Fort Worth man was sentenced to life in prison after his ninth DWI conviction. There are other similar instances of long prison sentences for those with multiple DWI offenses in the state of Texas.

So, how many DWI convictions are too many? At what point could you find yourself behind bars for a very long time following a DWI conviction? How many DWI convictions result in the loss of driving privileges for life? These questions are important if you are facing a third, fourth, or subsequent DWI offense. Remember, each situation is different. Perhaps there are extenuating circumstances in your DWI arrest, errors were made during your traffic stop or arrest, or your breathalyzer test results are inaccurate.

If you are facing a serious charge like a third or subsequent DWI arrest, you need highly skilled legal representation. If your BAC tested particularly high, even if this is a first or second Texas DWI, having an experienced lawyer is crucial. Choosing a Fairview, TX DWI attorney from Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C. will ensure you receive the best defense possible for your charges. We want you to get help for your addiction, not spend decades in prison.

What Are the Texas Penalties for a Third, Fourth, or Fifth DWI?

A third DWI charge is extremely serious. Prosecutors may charge a third DWI offense as a felony under which prior DWIs can be used to enhance sentencing penalties. Under Texas law, the court must impose certain conditions on the bond as a condition of release from jail for a third DWI charge. Penalties for a third DWI include:

• A fine as large as $10,000

• From two years to 10 years in prison

•  Up to two years of community supervision or probation

• Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device on the defendant’s vehicle prior to obtaining a provisional or occupational driver’s license

• From 160 hours to 600 hours of community service

• A driver’s license suspension of six months to more than two years, not to begin until the period of confinement is served

A fourth DWI conviction can result in the following penalties:

A first, second, and third DWI conviction can be used under the enhanced DWI penalties to elevate a fourth DWI to a third-degree felony. The court might look at a third DWI as a series of mistakes or a run of bad luck, but they are unlikely to believe this for a fourth DWI; therefore, the penalties imposed might be harsher even though technically they are the same as for a third DWI conviction.  

Since the third and fourth DWI convictions are felonies, a fifth DWI can trigger Texas three-strike penalties. If the person meets the criteria for the three-strike penalties to be imposed, then the minimum prison term for a fifth DWI conviction is 25 years, and a judge can impose a life sentence.

Contact a Collin County, TX DWI Attorney

From the moment you contact the McKinney, TX DWI attorneys at the Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C., obtaining a favorable outcome for you is our top priority. After a thorough investigation into the circumstances of your arrest, we will begin building a solid defense on your behalf. Our experienced DWI attorneys have more than 25 years of combined experience and more than 500 trial victories in DWI cases. Both attorneys are certified by the NHTSA in the administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Contact the Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C. at 469-333-3333 today to schedule your free consultation.