Galveston DWI Attorney - Will my license be suspended for a DWI? Brian Foley - Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney.
Alcohol-Related Offenses in Galveston, Texas
Driver's license suspensions resulting from Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges can have significant implications for individuals in Galveston, Texas. It's essential to grasp the process and requirements involved to navigate this challenging situation effectively. As a trusted Galveston DWI Attorney, we're here to provide clarity and guidance on driver's license suspensions following a DWI charge. If you have an attorney they can request an ALR hearing and maybe avoid a driver's license suspension all together or get you an occupational driver's license that will allow you to keep driving even if it is suspended.
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) for Adults
If you are 21 years of age or older at the time of the violation and convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), a court in Galveston may require one or all of the following:
- Complete an Alcohol Education Program. This can include:
- A 12-hour DWI Intervention Program, or
- A 32-hour DWI Repeat Offender Program.
- Serve a driver license suspension for a period not to exceed two years and pay a $100 Reinstatement fee, in addition to paying any other outstanding fees;
- Obtain a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) from an authorized insurance company (an SR-22 must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction.)
- Serve probation. If granted probation, you will be required to complete a 12-hour class in an authorized Alcohol Education Program unless the requirement is waived by the presiding judge.
- Evidence of completion of the appropriate Alcohol Education Program must be submitted to the Department within 180 days from the date of conviction or the driver license will be revoked. A Reinstatement fee will be required if the driver license is revoked;
- Install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle as a condition of driving. You will be required to apply for an Interlock Restricted driver license to be eligible to drive.
- If your driving privilege is suspended in addition to the interlock requirement, you may be eligible to apply for an Occupational driver license. If you need to drive for work or essential needs purposes during the suspension period, please contact your resident county court or justice of the peace court for information on how to apply for an order granting an Occupational driver license.
DWI for Minors
If you are under 21 years of age at the time of the violation and are convicted of DWI, you will receive a one-year driver license suspension (subsequent alcohol-related offenses may result in an 18-month suspension). Prior to the renewal or issuance of your driver license in Galveston, you must complete each of the following:
- Serve the required suspension period;
- Obtain a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) from an authorized insurance company (an SR-22 must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction);
- Pay a $100 Reinstatement fee, in addition to paying any other outstanding fees.
A minor may receive a 90-day driver license suspension if the convicting court orders community supervision that requires the installation of an interlock ignition device. You will be required to apply for an Interlock Restricted driver license to be eligible to drive.
The convicting court in Galveston may also require the completion of a 12-hour class in an authorized Alcohol Education Program (failure to complete this class will result in an additional 180-day suspension and a $100 reinstatement fee).
Other Alcohol Offenses Committed by Minors
Minors who are convicted of any of the following offenses will receive a 30-day suspension for the first offense, a 60-day suspension for the second offense, and a 180-day suspension for the third offense in Galveston:
- Purchase of Alcohol
- Attempt to Purchase Alcohol
- Consumption of Alcohol
- Possession of Alcohol
- Misrepresentation of Age
- Public Intoxication
DWI for Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL)
If you hold a commercial driver license in Galveston and are convicted of DWI, your CDL will be disqualified.
Alcohol Education Program Classes
Approved Alcohol Education Program classes may be located through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in Galveston. This includes both in-person and online courses.
You may receive a suspension for a DWI conviction and a suspension for a blood or breath test refusal or failure resulting from the same arrest.
Driver License Reinstatement Requirements
For more information on submitting compliance and fees to the Department in Galveston, visit the Reinstating your Driver License or Driving Privilege webpage.
Driver Eligibility Status
To check the status of your driver license or to determine if you are eligible for reinstatement in Galveston, visit the License Eligibility webpage. This page will provide you with information on what you will need to reinstate your driver license or driving privilege, including any fees you may owe. Once all compliance items have been processed and your mandatory suspension period has ended, your driver eligibility status will be updated to reflect "eligible".
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