Understanding Houston DWI Laws in Texas
If charged with a DWI offense in Houston, TX it is best to understand what the laws on driving while intoxicated mean. Hiring a Houston DWI lawyer and educating yourself with the ins and outs of the charges you are facing are some of the best offenses you can have in court. Knowledge is power, especially when this knowledge can decide your fate on criminal charges.
One of the first things you want to understand is what exactly is intoxication and how is it determined by law? You may ask this question the first time you consult with your Houston DWI attorney, or this may be something you research yourself. Intoxication does not have to be caused only by alcohol. Drugs (even prescription drugs) can cause intoxication. When intoxicated, you do not have full control of your mental or even physical abilities. Even if you feel you do, if you legally have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08% or more, then by law you are considered intoxicated and can face serious legal charges. If your BAC is lower, but you have had a previous DWI offense on your record, then you can still be charged with a DWI and will need a DWI attorney in Houston.
The ways by which a BAC is measured varies. It can be done via blood, a breath test or urine. While a blood test is thought to be much more accurate than a urine test, it is not always as convenient. The most convenient test used is actually a breath test done by a machine called an Intoxilyzer 5000 test. (Typical breathalzyers are not used in Texas.) It can be conducted soon after being pulled over and does not require samples to be sent to the lab. Which method of determining intoxication used can be very important to your Houston DWI attorney when preparing and defending your case.
While it is never considered smart to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol, whether you are legally impaired or intoxicated is something wholly different. A DWI attorney in Houston specializes in these types of charges and can help put your mind at ease during the entire trial process. Know that you do not need to go it alone when facing DWI charges and contacting and choosing the right lawyer can make a major difference as to whether you can beat the charges against you. Call us today as the first step in getting your DWI charge defended.
