DWI is an acronym for driving while intoxicated. DUI is an acronym for driving under the influence. There is a difference between a DWI vs. a DUI in Texas. They are different charges that are leveled different people.
A DWI vs. DUI is principally differentiated by the fact that a DUI is a charge that can only be leveled against a minor. In Texas, the minor has to be less than 21 years of age, the legal drinking age. Driving under the Influence of Alcohol is a less severe charge than a DWI. The DUI charges based on the fact that a minor is not to have any alcohol in their system at all. If a minor is found to be driving with detectable alcohol in their system, they can be charged with a DUI. For the minor, this can be a serious problem. It may end up in them losing their driver’s license or in facing other penalties.
There is a significant difference in the type of crime that someone has committed when they are convicted of a DWI vs. DUI. It’s actually pretty easy to understand the difference if you take a look at the different names for the charges. Driving under the influence means exactly that. It’s treated differently because minors are prohibited from consuming alcohol together. If an adult is pulled over with a blood alcohol count of .06, they may be driving under the influence, but it’s not a crime for them to have consumed alcohol, so there’s no way that they can get charged for it. The DWI specifically means driving while intoxicated, with intoxicated being defined as having a blood-alcohol count of .08 or higher.
If you’re pulled over for DWI, there are some very severe penalties that you’re going to be looking at. You could be hit with a fine of as much as $2,000 for the first offense. The first offense can also carry a jail sentence of up to six months. Obviously, the state of Texas takes driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated very seriously. While there are some significant differences in the nature and punishments for a DWI vs. a DUI, either charge requires an attorney. With an attorney representing you, you have a much better chance of avoiding the harshest consequences the state can throw at you.
