Driving While Intoxicated charges invariably make headlines when they involve celebrities or well-known politicians. Last October, a state representative pleaded no contest to DWI.
State Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas was arrested by police in Dallas on June 6, 2017, after she drove into a tree in the Lakewood neighborhood. Police said her blood-alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit to drive.
A report in the Texas Tribune noted Neeve tweeted that she pled no contest, will pay a fine and be put on probation for 12 months.
State Rep pleaded no contest to DWI
The representative will have her license suspended after pleading no contest to DWI. She will attend DWI education classes, submit to random alcohol testing and attend a victim impact panel. She issued a statement that read:
“Earlier this year, I disappointed my family, my constituents, my supporters, and myself. I said then the responsibility was mine and that I would accept the consequences … I accept full responsibility and will continue to work to demonstrate that I have learned from my past.”
Neave’s case illustrates how a DWI conviction can turn your life upside down. If you are a well-know person, there is an added stigma.
In many cases, convicted drunk drivers lose their licenses. They may face heavy fines and jail time. Court fees and other charges rack up and DWI drivers face mandatory counseling programs.
Anyone hit with a DWI charge in Texas could face serious consequences that affect their lives financially, professionally, and socially.
Although there is a temptation to plead guilty to a DWI charge because you want to get the trauma behind you, this may not always be the best course of action.
In some DWI cases, an improper stop by a police officer or issues with testing may be challenged by your DWI criminal defense lawyer.
You should be aware that pleading guilty quickly is unlikely to help your case and you may lose out on potential defense strategies.
The penalties, even for the first DWI in the state of Texas, can be devastating. You should contact an experienced Austin defense attorney at Peek Law Group We have the in-depth knowledge and resources to provide you with exceptional legal representation.
Call us for a consultation if you have been charged with a DWI at (512) 399-2311.