When facing driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges, the presence of certain aggravating factors in your case can worsen an already bad situation. An aggravated DWI is a more serious form of a standard DWI charge, and a conviction could lead to harsher penalties.
First, do you have prior DWI convictions? Texas DWI laws are particularly harsh on repeat DWI offenders, and you could face heftier penalties if you are found guilty. Below are other aggravating factors that may enhance your DWI charges, even as a first-time offender.
High BAC levels
In Texas, you can be charged with drunk driving if your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is 0.08 or more. However, excessively high BAC levels (over 0.15%) could aggravate your DWI charges, which could see you go to jail for at least 30 days to one year if found guilty.
DWI with a minor in the car
Having a child aged 15 or younger present while driving under the influence can escalate your DWI and significantly increase the penalties. This is a felony offense in Texas whose penalties include a jail term of up to two years.
Causing an accident that results in injury or death
If you caused an accident that led to injuries to another person while drunk driving, you will be charged with an aggravated DWI, and the consequences can be dire. The law prescribes a mandatory jail sentence of at least two years, although you may end up in jail for up to ten years, among other legal penalties. It gets worse if the accident results in death.
These aggravating factors considerably raise the stakes in your DWI case, and seeking urgent legal assistance is crucial. It can help you understand the gravity of the charges against you, devise strategies to mitigate the impact of these factors and increase the likelihood of a desirable verdict.