What are the penalties for a first time DWI offense in Houston?

A first time DWI conviction in the state of Texas comes with some serious penalties. The penalties for a first DWI conviction depend on whether the offense occurred in a “red” or “yellow” area. A red area is a county or part of a county that has been designated as an area where driving while intoxicated is more common. A yellow area is any other area not designated as red. The penalties for a first DWI conviction are listed in this article. The penalties for a first DWI conviction are severe and can include jail time, fines, probation, and more. For example, a first time DWI conviction is a Class B misdemeanor in most cases. That means a first time DWI conviction is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $2,000, and/or a year of probation. Additionally, a first time DWI conviction can affect other aspects of your life such as your ability to get a job, rent a home, or obtain government benefits like food stamps or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What are the penalties for a first time DWI in a red area?

If the incident occurred in a red area, the penalties for a first DWI are listed below. If it occurred in a yellow area, then the penalties are listed under the yellow area section below.

• First time DWI in a red area: Class B misdemeanor: Imprisonment not to exceed 180 days.
• First time DWI in a red area: $2,000 fine.
• First time DWI in a red area: Probation not to exceed 2 years.

What are the penalties for a first time DWI in a yellow area?

If the incident occurred in a yellow area, the penalties for a first DWI conviction are listed below. If it occurred in a red area, then the penalties are listed under the red area section above.

• First time DWI in a yellow area: Class B misdemeanor: Imprisonment not to exceed 90 days.
• First time DWI in a yellow area: $2,000 fine.
• First time DWI in a yellow area: Probation not to exceed 2 years.

What are the penalties for a third time DWI in a red area?

If the incident occurred in a red area, the penalties for a third DWI offense are listed below. If the incident occurred in a yellow area, then the penalties are listed under the yellow area section below.

• Third DWI offense in a red area: Class A misdemeanor: Imprisonment not to exceed one year.
• Third DWI offense in a red area: $2,000 fine.
• Third DWI offense in a red area: Probation not to exceed 2 years.

What are the penalties for a third DWI conviction in a yellow area?

If the incident occurred in a yellow area, the penalties for a third DWI conviction are listed below. If the incident occurred in a red area, then the penalties are listed under the red area section above.

• Third DWI conviction in a yellow area: Class A misdemeanor: Imprisonment not to exceed one year.
• Third DWI conviction in a yellow area: $2,000 fine.
• Third DWI conviction in a yellow area: Probation not to exceed 2 years.