If I am Convicted or Plead Guilty Will I Go back to Jail?

Under Texas Law, if you are found guilty or plead guilty to a DWI, then the State could put you in jail for up to 180 days (for a first offense) to 1 year (for a second offense).

Texas DWI Punishment

However, for most clients, the only time they will spend in jail is the time they spend on the night of their arrest. Most people charged with DWI will ultimately avoid serving any additional jail time by accepting, or being placed on, probation. However, certain factors may prohibit a person from avoiding jail. Under certain circumstances, a person may be given a jail sentence by the State or a judge or jury. Typically, jail time may be a realistic possibility under the following circumstances, to name a few:

• You cause an accident while intoxicated;
• You have prior offenses;
• You had an extremely high level of intoxication;
• You endanger others by driving erratically or in an extremely dangerous manner;
• You were belligerent or extremely rude to the officers;
• You exhibited bizarre behavior during your arrest; etc.

Probation May NOT be the Best Option for YOU

Under some circumstances, YOU may want to go to jail should you be found guilty or plead guilty in your DWI case. Probation is not for everyone. There are hidden fees, time commitments, travel restraints and a general uneasiness of being under the State’s thumb for a period of time. In addition, any violation of your probation terms, no matter how minor, could cause you to go to jail for a long period of time without much ability to prevent it.

As such, some clients, especially young people and those who hold professional type jobs, may opt for a short jail term instead of probation. Remember, the minimum jail term for a first offense DWI is 72 hours. A probation term for the same offense could be up to 2 years. Would you rather deal with this for 72 hours or for 2 years?

We Guide You in the Punishment Phase of Your DWI

A major part of our job as your attorney is to give you all the punishment options so that you can choose the best option should you plea guilty or are found guilty to get your life back to normal as quickly and with less disruptions as possible.

Act Now to Protect Your Freedom, Driving Privileges and Legal Rights

If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a DWI or DUI within Collin County, Texas and the surrounding cities of McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Richardson, Dallas, Denton, Wylie, Addison, Prosper, Celina and The Colony, Texas and you need the help of an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer, call The Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson, P.L.L.C. today at (866) 439-2182 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Plano, Texas DWI defense trial attorney.