Reasons that cause DWIs to Escalate to a Felony in Texas

Austin, TX Attorney, Kevin Bennett, addresses the specific scenarios that would cause your DWI charge to be classified as a felony.

Call The Law Office of Kevin Bennett at: (512) 476-4626 https://www.kevinbennettlaw.com/

Transcription below:

“Misdemeanor DWI arrests are some of the most common arrests here in Austin. They are usually considered; or classified as misdemeanors, but in some instances, a DWI can be classified and punished as a Felony. The first one that you typically see is when someone is facing a DWI 3rd. That means they’ve had two prior convictions, and those convictions can be for DWIs; it can also be a DWI and a Boating While Intoxicated. But if you have two intoxication convictions and you are arrested for a third one, you are facing a Felony DWI 3rd. Another instance that you can be charged with a felony DWI is; even if it’s your first DWI, if you have a child passenger in your vehicle. A child passenger, for purposes of DWI, is considered a child under the age of 15. If you are arrested, you are facing a state jail felony. That is punishable by 180 days to 2 years in the Texas State Jail, and up to a $10,000 fine, plus a felony conviction.”