VIDEO LEARNING CENTER
DWI BLOOD TESTS
Are blood tests more accurate than breath tests? Blood tests are not always reliable.
About David Breston
The Breston Law Firm has handled over 4,000 cases and has been helping people in Texas since 1987. Watch this video to find out more about our firm
CHOOSING A DWI LAWYER
Learn how to choose a DWI lawyer and the importance of choosing an experienced attorney.
DWI PENALTIES
A Texas DWI charge can cost you to lose your license, you face fines and may cost you your job.
DWI/DUI CHARGES
Have you been charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)? Watch this video by David Breston explaining how he may be able to help you.
DWI BREATH TESTS
Should you refuse a breath test if you are pulled over for DWI in Texas? Watch this video to learn.
Houston DWI Collateral Damages
There are many unfortunate surprises that await a person who has been charged and/or convicted of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated. For the purposes of this entry we will refer to them as ‘collateral damages’. First the experience of being arrested is unpleasant enough but after you are arraigned and walk out of the jail you may find that your car was impounded – so you’ll have to get a ride home. Impound and towing fees can be quite hefty depending on the circumstances. Your license will be in suspension in short order so you must either hire a Houston DWI defense lawyer or otherwise lobby the municipality to prevent this. You may or may not be successful in this endeavor.
Expect your insurance rates to skyrocket – and in many states your insurance company will be required to inform the state that they would be willing to continue to insure the driver. Too, if the person is looking for gainful employment a DWI conviction on your record may cause a prospective employer to reconsider their intent to hire you. If you are employed your current boss and company will need to be told (versus ‘finding out’ another way) and this is the type of incident that could prevent you from advancing in the organization among other things – and it may play a role if an organization begins to downsize as well. Finally, in some cases the employer may simply choose to fire you because of the liability involved with a convicted drunk driver.
In addition, most people don’t realize that a DWI conviction can wreak havoc with travel plans. There are a number of desirable locations that will no longer be available to a person who has been found guilty of driving while intoxicated. Our neighbor to the north of us is a great example. A DWI conviction in the United States is a felony offense in Canada and according to their immigration laws persons with a felony conviction are prevented from entering the country.
One of the choices at the disposal of the courts is to insist that the convicted driver install and maintain an ignition interlock device for a period of time. If this is required the addition costs could run into the hundreds or even up to a thousand dollars. And, let us not forget that there will be costs associated with the ticket itself as well as other court fees and fines.
But, arguably, the worst of the collateral damage may be in the relationships with your family and friends. A spouse or significant other suffers the same punishments as you – only indirectly. Any money that is spent to deal with a drunk driving charge and conviction is money that could be used by the family for other things. Too, it’s just a little embarrassing when people learn that someone has been charged or found guilty of driving while intoxicated.
Don’t drink and drive.