Austin Personal Injury Attorney

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence (DUI) is an illegal act anywhere in the United States. DUI refers to an individual operating a motorized vehicle while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. In certain areas, the phrase “motorized vehicle” encompasses bicycles, boats, and airplanes alongside cars and vans. Typically, a DUI is issued to people who have consumed enough drugs or alcohol to inhibit their abilities to safely operate the vehicle at hand.

In Texas, someone charged with a DUI is subject to very severe punishment. This includes suspension of the offender’s driver’s license for up to a year, a sentence of up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2000 for the first offense. Any subsequent charges of DUI will result in a significant fine and jail time increase.

What happens if I am pulled over?

In Texas, the legal limit for an individual’s blood alcohol content is 0.08. However, due to Texas’s no-tolerance law, police officers are eligible to cite people for drunk driving, despite the results of Breathalyzer tests.

If you are pulled over on suspect of driving while under the influence, you do have the right to refuse to take the sobriety test. However, this might give the officer reason to believe that you are guilty. It is important to realize that these laws are in place to emphasize the fact that drunk driving is a serious offense with the potential to ruin lives.

Contact Us

If you have been injured by a drunk driver and would like more information on what to do next, Austin personal injury lawyer Vic Feazell can help you. Contact us today at 877-948-4842.