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I'm Cheves Ligon with Grossman Law Offices.
In today's video, we're talking about what the difference between a DWI and a DUI. People
use the terms interchangeably, but in Texas, they mean different things.
A DWI, or, Driving While INTOXICATED is what most people associate drunk driving with.
It's when someone of legal drinking age is driving either over the blood alcohol limit
of .08, OR by driving "impaired" from alcohol.
A DUI, or, Driving Under the Influence, is an offense where anyone under the age of 21
is caught driving with ANY detectable amount of drugs or alcohol in their system. As far
as drugs and alcohol are concerned, if you're under 21, you're a minor.
A typical adult can have the equivalent of two drinks in their system and be well under
the legal limit of .08. Alternatively, a 20 year-old college student with even half a
beer in his system is committing a DUI crime.
The penalties for minors driving with any detectable amount for alcohol are serious.
For a first offense, you could lose your license for up to two years, face fines, alcohol education
requirements, and potentially have to get an interlock device on your car. Further,
it's not just driving that can get minors in trouble. You can lose your license for
30 days for trying to buy alcohol, lying about your age to buy ***, public intox, or so
much as possessing alcohol.
If this seems harsh, it's because it is. Underage drunk driving is a dangerous activity, and
governments all through the US have been cracking down hard. In fact, government statistics
indicate that roadway fatalities have decreased by almost 50% in recent years. But that also
means stiffer penalties for those suspected and convicted of DUI.
If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence, you need a thorough
DUI attorney to go through every piece of evidence that the State has and look for holes.
If the police failed to follow Texas law and the Constitution in their stop, search, or
arrest, you could have the case thrown out entirely. Alternatively, an attorney could
negotiate a plea that lessens the punishment. You don't have to take this lying down and
let this stay on your record. But time is of the essence. Call us now.