If you get charged with a DWI in a different state, you may wonder how that charge and possible subsequent conviction can affect the status of your Texas driver’s license. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is winding down, Texans are driving more for out-of-state work trips, vacations, and mini getaways. With more trips to other states, the risk of getting charged with a DWI outside Texas has also increased.
If I’m Arrested for DWI in Another State, Will My Texas Driver’s License Get Suspended?
Texas is included in the 45 members of the Driver License Compact (DLC). The states that are part of this commission agree to share details about traffic convictions with the offender’s home state. So in answer to the question above, yes, the state of Texas will be provided with information about your DWI arrest.
Thus, even though you were arrested in another state, your conviction will be treated as if it was committed in Texas (even if it was actually committed in a different state). If an out-of-state conviction would also be deemed illegal in Texas, your Texas driver’s license will be suspended. In other words, the law that was broken in another state must be similar to the law that’s laid out in the offender’s home state (Texas). This is true in most DWI charges.
In Texas, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold is 0.08%. However, the BAC threshold is 0.04% in Utah. In this case, your Texas driver’s license will not be suspended since you didn’t break the BAC threshold in your home state of Texas.
Out-of-State DWI Charges: Should I Consult a Local Attorney?
If you are arrested for DWI in another state, consult an attorney in the state where you are charged. He or she will have the skills and experience to more adequately defend you. To find a capable attorney in the state where you’ve been arrested, you can also consult an attorney in Texas to get a referral and to understand the impact of your out-of-state charges here in Texas. This attorney will also compare the DWI laws in your home state (Texas) with those laid out in the state you were charged in.
Building a Strong Defense
If you’re looking for an experienced DWI lawyer in Friendswood, Clear Lake, or any other city in the Greater Houston area, JL Carpenter should be your first call. Over the years, she has taken on some of the toughest DWI cases, including defending people who live out of state and were facing charges in Texas. By building a strong case for each client, JL provides the representation he or she needs, with the goal of getting the charges dismissed.
Her practice areas also include domestic violence, family violence, drug possession, expunctions, and other criminal defense areas. Start fighting for your rights today. Explore JL’s case results for more information and then get in touch with her.