Austin DWI
Defense for
College Students

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Austin DWI Defense for College Students

PROTECT YOUR FUTURE: CALL AN AUSTIN DWI ATTORNEY

When looking forward to completing a college education and setting out into the real world, anything that can keep you from achieving your goals is simply not worth the risk—especially when the obstacle can be avoided. We offrer DWI defense for college students.

Unfortunately, the number of DWI arrests in Texas for defendants in the college age range is high. At Stephen T. Bowling, Austin DWI Attorney, we want to make sure that you have every opportunity to succeed, especially when it means defending you against a DWI charge.

Don’t wait to talk to a DWI attorney in Austin about your case. Call (512) 599-9000!

AUSTIN DWI DEFENSE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

College students under the age of 21 can be arrested for a charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if they have any traceable amount of alcohol in their system at the time of the traffic stop. It is against Texas law for an underage individual to consume alcohol in most situations, therefore even the slightest detection of it while driving can lead to a criminal charge of DUI.

Moreover, a college student of any age, over or under 21, can face a charge of Driving While Intoxicated if they have a blood alcohol content of .08 or above at the time of the traffic stop. In fact, the way Texas law is written, you can be convicted of a DWI with a blood alcohol content under .08!

Penalties for an underage DWI in Austin may include:

  • Jail time: Between 3 and 180 days for a first offense, up to 1 year for a 2nd offense
  • Fines: Up to $2,000 for a first offense, up to $4,000 for a 2nd offense
  • License suspension: Up to 90 days for a first offense, between three days and one year for a second offense

WHAT ABOUT YOUR RECORD?

In addition to the penalties for an underage DWI conviction, the arrest and conviction will be on record and most likely will affect the student’s standing in present and future schools. Depending on the circumstances of the case, if the student’s BAC is recorded at .08 or higher at the time of the arrest, he or she may be charged with a DWI; allowing a conviction to remain on the students record for life. College students over the age of 21 arrested for DWI in Texas will face the standard penalties for DWI and have the conviction on their record permanently. DWI convictions in Texas cannot be expunged but might be sealed depending on the circumstances.

If you have been arrested…

Your FREEDOM is potentially at stake. A conviction can have a huge impact on your job, relationships, and your future. You need to act fast.

Don’t let one mistake in college haunt you for the rest of your life. If you’ve been arrested and need an Austin DWI Lawyer, contact our firm at (512) 599-9000 for a free case evaluation today.

Proven Defense by a Former Law Enforcement Officer

Many people who are charged with an Austin DWI just assume there is no way to fight it. They think the best they can hope for is a smaller fine or a reduction in the amount of time they lose their license. We focus on defending anyone accused of a DWI. With the right legal counsel, there are other outcomes. Depending on the facts of the case, what if

  • Instead of months of suspension, you don’t lose your license at all?
  • Instead of making a deal for probation, you never get convicted?
  • Instead of having a DWI conviction, your record stays clean?
  • Instead of cutting bad deals, you get a vigorous DWI defense?

While every case depends on the facts and circumstances at play, mounting an aggressive defense to DWI charges may be your best option. The Austin Criminal Defense attorneys at Stephen T Bowling, P.C., handle all drunk driving cases, defending clients in both the criminal proceedings and driver’s license hearings.

Don’t trust just anyone with your DWI defense. Contact the law firm of Stephen T Bowling, PC, by e-mail or call us at 512-599-9000 to schedule your free consultation with an Austin DWI lawyer to discover some strategies we pursue in defending Austin Driving While Intoxicated cases.

We offer payment plans and accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

High School and College students have their whole lives ahead of them. A DWI charge can dim the vision of your future in an instant. If you find yourself dealing with a DWI arrest, don’t despair, all is not lost; with a good lawyer on your side, it is possible to minimize the impact the charge will have on your life.

What is A DWI?

Driving While Intoxicated, also known as DWI, is a severe drug and alcohol-related offense. A DWI charge and related consequences are different for minors than adults 21 years or older. Anyone under the legal drinking age of 21 is considered underage. Familiarize yourself with Texas DWI laws to understand what constitutes a DWI, your rights, and possible consequences.

DWI and DUI are similar terms that are often used interchangeably. DUI stands for Driving Under Influence. DWI and DUI both refer to drivers who are impaired by drugs, alcohol, or other substance. Some states use the term DUI; Texas uses the term DWI.

Texas has a Zero Tolerance law regarding persons under the age of 21 who faces an alcohol-related incident. For adults at least 21 years old, a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% constitutes the maximum BAC limits for drivers. However, people under the age of 21 are not legally allowed to drink alcohol, which means they should have a BAC of 0.0%. A minor should have no detectable levels of alcohol in their system.

The Texas law for implied consent for minors states that anyone under the age of 21 who has a detectable amount of alcohol in their body must partake in a blood or breath test to confirm the level of intoxication. If blood or breath tests reveal an evident amount of alcohol or other controlled substances, then the minor will be subject to the loss of driving privileges. The duration of license suspension ranges from 60 days for a first offense, 120 days for a second violation, and 180 days for a third infraction. In addition to driver’s license suspension, there are typically other consequences as well.

What Should You Do If You Face A DWI Charge?

If you are a student who is facing a DWI charge, you should contact a defense attorney right away. The sooner you seek legal counsel, the better your chances will be to have the charges dropped or reduced.

You may worry that hiring a lawyer to help you with your DWI charge would be a waste of money. While it may be tempting to forgo a trial and accept a conviction, it is in your best interest to avoid a conviction and seek reduced charges. Handling a DWI charge is a time-sensitive matter; you need to act quickly. Attorneys understand students’ financial situation; many attorneys and lawyers in Texas offer payment plans for students in need.

What are the DWI Penalties for College Students?

For a college student who is at least 17 years old but less than 21 years old, a first DWI conviction is a Class B Misdemeanor; it is punishable by a fine up to $2,000, 3 to 180 days in jail, and up to one year of driver’s license suspension. You may also be required to participate in drug and alcohol education classes and participate in community service.

In addition to a DWI conviction’s legal repercussions, college students may be subject to additional penalties set forth by the specific college’s policies. Texas law does not require you to inform the college you attend about your arrest. The college may become aware of your arrest if another student reports you to the school or if a campus police officer arrested you. Typically, an arrest will not affect your affiliation with the school unless the charge against you involves sexual assault.

DWI Defense for Underage Drivers

It is possible to defend yourself against a DWI charge with the assistance of an experienced DWI attorney. A knowledgeable attorney who is skilled at helping students who face DWI charges will be able to help you seek deferred adjudication or dropped or reduced charges. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on exactly what you need to do to have the best outcome possible for your unique situation. If you are a student driver facing a DUI or DWI, don’t hesitate. Give us a call today!

Sworn to Protect Our
Client’s Liberty.

KEPT US UP TO DATE EACH STEP OF THE WAY

Stephen Bowling, reviewed our case and discussed his recommendations clearly. He kept us up to date each step of the way with continued explanations. He was readily available for questions/concerns through the process. We would reach out to them again in the future for any legal concerns.

Helen

VERY COMMUNICATIVE AND VERY UNDERSTANDING

Stephen is Great, Great , Lawyer!! He give you weekly updates on not just your case but also on what’s going on with his firm as well!!! Stephen is also very communicative and very understanding on any situation!! I would hands down Refer Stephen to anyone with any situation!!! Great job Stephen words can’t describe what you have done for me!!!!

Brandon

Beat Your DWI.
Keep Your License.