DWI Enforcement in Austin, Texas
Austin’s DWI program was modified in 1999 by the Austin Police Department. The program now has a full-time team of DWI specialists. These officers are trained specifically to catch drivers who are driving while impaired. They usually patrol the streets in two-person teams.
New officers train under members of the DWI team for several weeks to gain experience in identifying and processing DWI suspects. The Traffic Administration Section directs the DWI unit which is comprised of enforcement teams. Each enforcement team has eight officers and one sergeant who have received training in administering Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, have completed drug recognition courses and who are certified intoxilyzer operators.
The DWI units focus their efforts in areas where intoxicated drivers are most likely to be- places such as bars and nightclubs. Sometimes the DWI officers will be dispersed throughout the city, and other times they concentrate on specific areas. Oftentimes the DWI enforcement officers will support regular patrol officers when they need assistance with DWI arrests and paperwork.
The entire DWI enforcement unit works every Friday evening, while half works Tuesday through Friday evenings, and the other half works Saturday through Wednesday. APD officers must apply for any open positions within the enforcement team, which may explain reports of a low turnover rate within the unit.
The number of DWI arrests decreased from about 3,500 in 1990 to 2,200 in 1996. With the a part-time DWI task force in 1998, arrests increased to 4,077, an increase of 48 percent over the 2,747 arrested for DWI in 1997. When the DWI task-force went full-time in 199, arrests increased to 4,500.
The law in Texas is rather strict concerning DUI's and DWI's: First Offense -up to a $2,000 fine -72 hours to 180 days in jail -driver's license suspension: 90 days to 1 year Second Offense -up to a $4,000 fine -30 days to 1 year in jail -driver's license suspension: 180 days to 2 years Third Offense -up to a $10,000 fine -2 to 10 years in penitentiary -driver's license suspension: 180 days to 2 years If you're thinking about not fighting your DWI charge and pleading guilty, here are a few reasons that might change your mind:
The average cost for pleading guilty is around $7,000 not including attorney's fees and how much the insurance company will charge you, which could be $1,000 or more for the next 3 years.
What are the penalties for DWI in Texas?
First offense: fine not to exceed $2,000 and/ or jail time of 3 to 180 days, driver's license suspension of 90 to 365 days. (Class B Misdemeanor)
Second offense: fine not to exceed $4,000 and/ or jail time of 30 to 365 days, driver's license suspension of 180 days to 2 years. (Class A Misdemeanor)
Third offense: fine not to exceed $10,000 and/ or jail time of 2 to 10 years imprisonment, driver's license suspension of 180 days to 2 years. (3rd Degree Felony)
DWI with an open alcohol container (first offense): In addition to the penalty referenced above you face a minimum of 6 days in jail and a fine of no more than $2,000. (Class B Misdemeanor)
DWI with an accident where serious bodily injury occurred as a proximate cause of the intoxication: Called intoxication assault, service of a minimum of 2 and up to 10 years in jail with a fine up to $10,000. (3rd Degree Felony)
DWI where a death has occurred as a proximate cause of the intoxication: Called manslaughter, imprisonment of 2 to 20 years with a maximum fine of $10,000. (2nd Degree Felony)