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Tough New Penalties for DWI Convictions -- Driver's
License Surcharges
Are you aware that if you receive a final conviction for a DWI that you will have to
pay thousands of dollars to get your license back? And that money is in addition to any criminal penalties
you’re facing as a result of that conviction. |
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If you are convicted, the amount of the surcharge
depends on the following factors: |
- Whether or not you took the breath test.
- If you did take the breath test, was your score above 0.16 (double
the legal limit of 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?
- If you have been convicted of any other DWIs
within the last 3 years?
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Based on the above information,
the following fees will be assessed: |
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- $1,000 per year for a person with no prior convictions for DWI
- $1,500 per year for a person who has been previously convicted of
a DWI within a 36-month period preceding the date
of the relevant conviction
- $2,000 per year for a person who gives a blood, breath, or
urine specimen that shows an alcohol concentration of 0.16
or higher, regardless of any past DWI convictions
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Worse still, the law says you
must pay these fees for 3 years. If you are convicted, that
means a surcharge on your license, ranging from $3,000,
to $4,500, or $6,000, respectively.
Failure to pay the surcharge
or enter into an installment agreement within a 30-day period
will result in an automatic license suspension. And your
license won’t be reinstated until the remaining balance
is paid in full!
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Know Your Rights!
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Clyde W. Burleson
Houston DWI Attorney
- Former Assistant District Attorney
- Former TABC Prosecutor
- Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas
- National Criminal Defense Association
- Texas Criminal Defense Association
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1533 West Alabama Street
Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77006
713-628-1503
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