Archive for January, 2011
Orioles pitcher Troy Patton arrested and charged with DWI
January 29th, 2011 | 
Author: Orioles left-hander Troy Patton was arrested Saturday night in Houston and charged with a DWI after police pulled him over for speeding and driving over a curb, according to KPRC television. Patton was the Astros’ ninth-round pick in 2004 and was traded to the Orioles in December of 2007 as part of the package for…
Published Jan 24, 2011.
Read more: NBC Sports: HardballTalk
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Dwi With A Minor
Driving while under the influence of any type of mind altering substance is considered a violation of US law. If caught, you will be ticketed, incarcerated, placed on probation, and your insurance will undoubtedly go up. Unfortunately, DUIs and DWIs are altogether too common in America. While repercussions of a DUI and DWI become increasingly severe with each conviction, driving under the influence with a minor in the car is considered a much more serious crime.
What is a DUI? What is a DWI?
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence, while DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated. Typically, persons under the age of 21 receive DUIs, because they can be ticketed for driving under the influence of any amount of alcohol. Even if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is under the legal limit (.08), they can be ticketed because they are not yet of drinking age.
A DWI, on the other hand, is administered for drivers of all ages who are found to be intoxicated?that is, driving with a BAC over .08. Generally, officers will administer a series of field-sobriety tests to prove your intoxication; however, some may simply request that you take a breathalyzer test. Although these methods of determining intoxication are mandated nationally, they are not always accurate
If you have been charged with a DUI or a DWI, an experienced defense attorney can help reduce, and possible discharge, your sentence.
What Are the Consequences?
The consequences for DUIs and DWIs are severe. First time offenders typically spend between $5,000 and $10,000 on related expenses, such as:
Car towing/holding expenses
Bail
License re-instatement fees
Probation fees
Increased insurance rates
State fines
Mandatory drug and alcohol assessment and counseling
Installation and use of monitoring equipment, such as ignition interlock devices
Lawyer fees
Additionally, a DUI/DWI will appear on your driving record, and is considered a Class B Misdemeanor if it is your first offense. Your license will be suspended for a designated amount of time, and you will have to attend alcohol awareness classes before it will be re-instated.
If you have previously been convicted of a DUI/DWI, the severity of fines and punishment will increase substantially with a second offense.
How Does Driving With a Minor Affect Me?
In Texas, driving under the influence with a minor (or child under 15) in the car is considered child endangerment. The presence of a child makes your crime a felony instead of a misdemeanor, which has much more serious repercussions.
Contact Us
If you are looking for experienced and effective defense for an alcohol-related crime, contact the Houston DWI attorneys of Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C. today.
Originally published here.
Michael Enfield
