Most people know a DWI in Texas can mean jail time, fines, and a suspended license. Those penalties are serious. But they are only the beginning.
The hidden consequences of a conviction can follow you for years — into your job, your bank account, and your family life. That is why fighting the charge from day one matters so much. If you were arrested in the Coastal Bend, our Corpus Christi DUI defense lawyers can help. Call 361-738-5548 for a confidential consultation.
| 180
Days in jail possible for a first-offense DWI in Texas |
$6,000
Maximum state fine on top of criminal fines for high-BAC convictions |
1 yr
Driver’s license suspension possible for a first offense |
| Source: Texas Penal Code & Transportation Code DWI provisions | ||
First, the Penalties Everyone Knows
A first-offense DWI in Texas is usually a Class B misdemeanor. It carries up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, and a license suspension of up to a year. Penalties climb fast with a high blood alcohol level, a child passenger, or prior convictions. For a full breakdown of Texas DWI penalties by offense level, see our guide on the real cost of a Corpus Christi DUI.
Now for the consequences most people never see coming.
1. Your Job and Career Can Take the Hit
A DWI conviction shows up on background checks. That can mean:
- Lost job offers — especially for driving, healthcare, education, and government jobs
- Trouble with professional licenses for nurses, teachers, CDL holders, and others
- Termination if your current job requires a clean driving record
For commercial drivers, the stakes are even higher. A DWI in your personal vehicle can disqualify your CDL for a year — and end a trucking career.
2. Insurance Costs Explode
After a conviction, insurers label you a high-risk driver. Expect your rates to double or worse for several years. You may also need an SR-22 certificate — a special filing that proves you carry insurance. Some carriers will simply drop you, forcing you into expensive high-risk policies.
3. State Fines Stack on Top of Criminal Fines
Texas adds a separate state fine at sentencing — up to $3,000 for a first conviction, $4,500 for a repeat conviction, and $6,000 if your blood alcohol level was 0.15 or higher. That is on top of the criminal fine, court costs, towing, bail, ignition interlock fees, and attorney costs. The true price of a conviction is far higher than the fine on paper.
4. Travel and Immigration Problems
A DWI can complicate life beyond Texas:
- Canada can deny entry to travelers with impaired-driving convictions
- Non-citizens can face visa, green card, and naturalization complications — especially with repeat or aggravated offenses
- Some employers restrict international travel roles for employees with convictions
5. Family Law and Personal Fallout
A conviction can be raised against you in a custody dispute. It can affect your right to drive your kids to school under interlock restrictions. And because Texas DWI convictions generally cannot be expunged, the record can follow you for life.
★★★★★ “Nathan Burkett is a great young lawyer. He is quick to return calls and takes the time to explain everything about you case.” — Jeremy D., Burkett Law Firm client
The Good News: A Charge Is Not a Conviction
Every one of these consequences flows from a conviction — not an arrest. DWI cases can be fought. Common defense angles include:
- Was the traffic stop legal?
- Were field sobriety tests given and scored correctly?
- Was the breath or blood test handled and calibrated properly?
- Can the state actually prove intoxication at the time of driving?
An experienced Corpus Christi criminal defense attorney can challenge weak evidence, negotiate reduced charges, or take your case to trial. The Burkett Law Firm has defended Coastal Bend residents since 1960 — meet Nathan Burkett, past President of the Criminal Law Section of the Corpus Christi Bar Association.
How a Texas DWI Case Moves Through the System
Knowing the road ahead reduces the fear. A typical case looks like this:
- Arrest and release. You are booked, and your license is confiscated if you failed or refused testing.
- The ALR deadline. You have only 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing. Miss it, and the suspension happens automatically.
- Arraignment and discovery. Charges are read, and your lawyer obtains the video, the test records, and the officer’s reports.
- Challenges and negotiation. Suppression motions attack bad stops and bad tests. Weak evidence drives dismissals and reductions.
- Plea or trial. You decide — with full information — whether to accept an offer or fight in front of a jury.
What About Deferred Adjudication?
Texas allows deferred adjudication for many first-time DWI offenses. You plead, complete probation terms, and avoid a formal conviction. It is not automatic, and it still carries conditions like an ignition interlock. But for eligible drivers, it can protect a career — and later support sealing the record through nondisclosure. Whether it is the right move depends on the strength of the evidence against you. That is a conversation to have with a defense lawyer, not a guess to make alone.
Texas DWI FAQs
Do I have to install an ignition interlock device?
Often, yes — especially for high-BAC and repeat offenses, or as a condition of an occupational license. You pay the installation and monthly monitoring costs.
Can I get a DWI off my record in Texas?
Convictions generally cannot be expunged. Some first offenses may qualify for an order of nondisclosure after a waiting period, which seals the record from most employers. Ask us whether you qualify.
Should I refuse the breath test?
Refusal triggers its own license suspension under Texas implied consent law, and police can often get a warrant for blood anyway. There is no one-size answer — but whatever happened at your stop, call a lawyer before your ALR hearing deadline passes.
I was also in an accident. What happens then?
Injuries change everything. A DWI crash with serious injury can be charged as intoxication assault — a felony. And if you were the one hit by a drunk driver, our personal injury team can pursue full compensation, including punitive damages.
Will a DWI show up on background checks forever?
A conviction generally stays on your criminal record permanently in Texas. That is exactly why fighting the charge — or securing deferred adjudication and later nondisclosure — is worth the effort now rather than regret later.
Arrested for DWI in Corpus Christi? Act Fast.
You may have as little as 15 days to request a hearing and save your license. Call 361-738-5548 or contact The Burkett Law Firm today for a confidential case review.
