They say that my auto insurance rate would increase after my DWI here in Houston, Texas. Is there a law that regulates the rates that are being charged for an auto insurance?

Kade

Houston, TX

Auto insurance providers often increase their premium rates after a DWI or drunk driving conviction. This increase would be by as much as two or three times the current insurance rate that you have. In most instances, this would simply be price gouging as the statistical occurrence of crashes caused by a convicted driver who has first-time DWI is far less than the level that would justify the increases. There are actually no laws that regulate the insurance rates charged after a DWI, but they differ greatly from company to company and definitely justify shopping around.

Getting affordable vehicle insurance after a DWI conviction, or even after an arrest, could be a very difficult situation. A lot of the bigger insurance companies would likely not offer you auto insurance after your DWI in Houston, Texas at any rate. The smaller insurance carriers are commonly more willing to provide coverage but at a higher rate. But the simple fact is that the increased rates charged for people with DWI on their history would differ from one provider to another. Get a quote from this website and you will find an affordable auto insurance that you need.

What are the things that an auto insurance company have to consider so that I can be insured? I got a DWI here in Houston, Texas and I’m worried I’ll have difficulty getting auto insurance.

Bart

Houston, TX

It would mostly likely be easier to get an auto insurance if this is your first DWI offense in Houston, Texas than if you are a repeat offender. The auto insurance provider would look at all prior offenses, including traffic tickets so be sure you check your driving record before you try to get auto insurance. The auto insurance provider also needs to know that you are committed to being a safe and careful driver before they give you coverage. After your DWI, it would be a nice idea to attend as many classes and courses as possible to show that you have taken an active interest. Alcohol and drug awareness classes are a good place to begin, as well as defensive driving.

The type of charge that you have will also be considered by the auto insurance company. If you are not actually convicted for DWI or maybe you just pled out to have a lighter sentence, you may be able to get auto insurance without a problem. You just have to be sure that you ask your DWI lawyer or even the district attorney what type of charge you were given.

My entire family agreed to move in Houston, Texas. My eldest son is already taking driving lessons and would be ready to hit the road in a month’s time. I would just like to know, how do DWI laws in Houston worked so far?

Marc

Houston, TX

Like most of the States, Texas also implemented statues and laws on Driving While Intoxicated. Houston, Texas DWI law describes DWI as driving while intoxicated. This may actually include driving any vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Stricter and harsher DWI laws have been implemented as brought about by the increasing motor population and road accidents. But I can tell that it has a positive impact, because accidents caused by drunk driving were brought down. Some major impacts of DWI may include but not limited to losing your driver’s license (especially for repeated violation), pay a penalty, or even get barred from getting a driver’s license ever (that’s on top of jail imprisonment). Punishment can be further aggravated under a variety of circumstances. If you have a previous Houston DWI conviction, you will naturally face stiffer penalties for subsequent DWI offenses. The alcohol percentage in the blood must not be greater than 0.08.

It therefore makes sense to know about these laws and try not to get caught napping while in a DWI situation. You can search internet websites and article resources for thorough details on Houston DWI laws. I recommend at great DWI lawyer on this website who is really helpful in educating us about DWI laws. And since your son is about to drive on his own, I also suggest that you start hunting for a good DWI insurance just in case something happens.

My brother was caught for DWI here in Houston, Texas and I heard that Houston has stricter DWI laws as compared to any other city in Texas. Do you have any information as to how much is the usual penalty or fine for DWI?

Albert

Houston, TX

There are more rigorous driver responsibility laws put in place in Houston, Texas now than ever before. You may come to a point of paying a high price for a DWI conviction. On your first offense, you could end up paying around $1,000 and a second DWI offense could set you back by $1,500. The charges being cumulative, a convicted driver can end up paying potentially $2,500 in a year. Now that is really a good amount of money that you can end coughing up. It is important that you charter the services of a good DWI attorney to fight your case. A Houston DWI attorney may be able to defend you and substantially reduce the amount of the fine.

A Houston DWI attorney is capable of pointing out the mistakes that the law enforcement agencies may be made during the conviction or argues on the basis of wrong procedures adopted during the chemical tests. The sooner you hire a professional, the better your chances of winning in a Houston DWI charge. Aside from that, being charged with DWI also makes significant factors in getting DWI insurance. These companies may either give you higher rates or if you are on auto insurance, the insurance company may drop off your eligibility. I suggest that you and your brother may need to research more about available DWI insurance on this page and check their free quotations.

How important is the auto insurance issue for someone who is charged with drunk driving? I heard that my father is worried about his insurance after being charged with DWI here in Houston, Texas.

Mai

Houston, TX

Auto insurance is a very significant issue for your father since he is charged with drunk driving in Houston, Texas. Insurance companies depend on many factors regarding their rates, and this includes driving record. DWI convictions would cause many insurance carriers to drop someone who is insured, and others would raise their rates significantly.

A lot of people who have been arrested for drunk driving who are in the process of fighting their DWI case are confused about what to tell their auto insurance company. It would be best if your father will consult with an experienced DWI lawyer who knows the issue about drunk driving insurance. But remember that our American system of justice presumes that those who stand accused are innocent until they are proven guilty in court. So it would be best not to reveal a pending DWI case to an insurance carrier. Keep in mind that without a DWI conviction, there would be no obligation to do so. You can advise your father to find the best insurance company for his auto insurance if he is currently not insured. He can definitely get an online rate quote from a great and affordable auto insurance company available from this website.

My cousin got arrested for DWI here in Houston, Texas and it’s nearing her first court date. Question is, what usually happens in the first courtroom proceeding?

Jayden

Houston, TX

The first courtroom proceeding for your cousin’s DWI case in Houston, Texas would be the arraignment. During the arraignment, she will be called before a criminal court judge. She will be referred to as the “defendant,” be provided with copies of the charges against her, read the charges and her rights to her. She will also be asked if she has an attorney, or in the event that she cannot afford one, if she would like a court-appointed attorney.

During this proceeding, your cousin will also be asked how she wishes to plead to the charges. At this point, she should provide an answer or “guilty” or “not guilty.” In case an attorney is not present with her, or she fails or refuses to answer the question, or is conscious but unable to answer the question, a lot of courts would simply enter “not guilty” plea on her behalf and set a future court date to give the defendant time to either retain an attorney or decide how to proceed going forward. At this hearing, it will also be decided whether or not to set bail, or whether any preliminary bail amount set by the police should be changed.

I was lucky enough not to have been charged with DWI after being pulled over a few days ago here in Houston, Texas. During the stop, I was asked to do some tests like walking on a straight line among other things. I knew that the officer was looking for a clue that I was intoxicated, if he found at least one clue, will I be charged with DWI then?

Larry

Houston, TX

DWI lawyers in Houston, Texas usually see the walk and turn test offered with only an imaginary line. It would be difficult to tell that the test would be hard without the studies. DWI lawyers would also commonly see their clients who were ordered to stand heel to toe while the instructions are delivered. Standing in this unnatural pose for one minute while listening to a police officer for important instructions may be more challenging than intended.

It is generally common for a police officer to identify one (and only one) clue would seem to indicate probable impairment. An example is that a police officer would generally say that a DWI suspect “stumbled on the turn.” But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Study, this would amount to only one indicator of impairment and does not show that the accused is probably impaired.

My brother was arrested for his second DWI offense here in Houston, Texas. What are the penalties involved and will he be imprisoned?

Efren

Houston, TX

DWI is a very time-sensitive case so your brother needs to act quickly because his DWI charge in Houston, Texas is already his second DWI offense. Before I educate you on the penalties that would be involved if your brother will be convicted, let me remind you first the he must employ the services of an experienced DWI lawyer to help him file the necessary paperwork and defend him on his DWI case. Several aspects of his life will be greatly affected if he once again will be convicted for DWI.

Your brother will be imprisoned or pay fines if he gets convicted for his second DWI offense. That would be between 30 days to one year and the fines would be up to $4,000. He could also be penalized for both incarceration and fine. The probationary period could be up to 24 months long and include several conditions set by the judge. Having jail time as a condition for the probation is also normal. The driver’s license suspension would be from six months to two years. If the judge doesn’t set a term of suspension, the Department of Public Safety would suspend his license for one year. The completion of the required DWI Intervention Program would not prevent the suspension of his license.

I know that if someone is arrested for DWI in Houston, Texas, the driver’s license could be suspended. But what I need to know is that, do all DWI arrests end in the suspension of the driver’s license of the DWI suspect?

Holly

Houston, TX

The driver’s license suspension that you are referring to is the Administrative License Revocation (ALR), but not all DWI arrests end with suspended driver’s licenses. In most DWI cases, a “Notice of Suspension” is served immediately after the breath or blood alcohol test is failed or refused by the DWI suspect. Unless and until the driver’s license becomes suspended, the DWI suspect could drive without restriction.

A lot of police officers in Houston, Texas tell the people they arrest for DWI that the license is suspended as of the moment of arrest, which is not true. The DWI suspect would automatically lose his driver’s license unless a hearing request is received by the Department of Public Safety within 15 days upon the DWI suspect’s receipt of his notice of suspension. Making a timely and proper request would entitle the accused to a hearing if the driver’s license would be suspended. This administrative hearing would be conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and this usually happens within six weeks of arrest. The driver’s license suspension ranges from 90 days to two years.

A friend of mine was accused of DWI here in Houston, Texas and I was surprised that he was charged with two separate crimes. If in case I get arrested for DWI, what do you think is the best thing that I should do?

David

Houston, TX

If in case you are stopped for driving while intoxicated or DWI in Houston, Texas, you just have to be polite to the police officer. You have to cooperate with what the officer asks you to do because it would be against your own interests to be rude or uncooperative. You could find yourself in this situation and your background (apart from any previous DWI offenses) would have no relevance, but your behavior when stopped would definitely be much relevant.

The basic limit of blood alcohol is 0.08% and if you have a blood alcohol test result above the legal level, you have to cooperate and try to take any subsequent tests. The state of Texas has an “implied consent” law, which means that when you obtained your driver’s license, you implicitly agreed to take a blood alcohol test if you are suspected of DWI. If you refuse to take the breath or blood alcohol test, it could be treated as a separate crime and your driver’s license could be suspended for a year and it could be viewed as admitting your own guilt.