Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/19/2011 -- The crime committed is legally referred to as “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) and/or “driving under the influence” (DUI). The Forrest Law Firm that is based in Houston, Texas, provides these law offending drivers with legal representation for the DWI or DUI charges.

Under the law of the United States, it is illegal to operate and drive any form of vehicle, whether land based or water based, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at 0.08 or higher. A driver can also fall under this illegality if the person in question’s mental or physical faculties are handicapped because of the introduction of alcohol or drugs into the driver’s system. In legal terms, this illegality is referred to as “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) and/or “driving under the influence” (DUI).

These charges are heavily penalized, resulting in long-term consequences. One risks having the freedom revoked and these charges will forever hang over the offender’s head in the form of a criminal record. Other consequences are as follows:

Consequences on a First Offense

1. A $2,000 fine will be demanded of the offender.

2. The offender can be sentenced to serve his time in the county jail for a duration ranging from 72 hours to 6 months.

3. The offender’s driver’s license can be revoked and kept in custody for a maximum time period of one year.

4. The offender is required to pay an annual fee of $1,000 or $2,000 for three years in order to continue the use of a driver’s license within and after the three years of sentence.

Consequences on a Second Offense

1. A $4,000 fine will be demanded of the offender.

2. The offender can be sentenced to serve his time in jail for a duration ranging from one month to a year.

3. The offender’s driver’s license can be revoked and kept in custody for a maximum time period of two year.

4. The offender is required to pay an annual fee of $1,000, $1500 or $2,000 for three years in order to continue the use of a driver’s license within and after the three years of sentence.

In some cases, especially in first time offenders, probation is granted instead of the penalties mentioned above. This, however, is granted to those individuals who have met the following conditions:

1. The offender must have gone through a mandated drug and alcohol evaluation.

2. The offender must attend and complete an alcohol education course.

3. The offender must be credited with having attendance at a MADD Victim Impact Panel.

4. The offender must accomplish any and all additional conditions of probation the court has for the offender.

Individuals who have committed a DWI or a DUI offense and has therefore contracted a DWI or a DUI charge will need to solicit the professional services of a criminal defense attorney who has a full understanding of Texas laws concerning drunk driving. The Forrest Law Firm, being based in Houston, Texas, can provide offenders with the legal representation for DWI or DUI charges. Their legal services include the assistance a client needs to handle the criminal aspect of these charges and guides clients through the civil proceedings concerned with the revocation of the client’s driver’s license. The legal issues of the citizens of Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Brazoria and Travis Counties can be aided by the Forrest Law Firm.