Being charged with drunk driving, typically referred to as DUI or DWI charge, can result in a range of consequences for defendants. Those consequences can include incarceration, fines and administrative license suspension. The consequences are often particularly severe in cases of repeat offenses and in cases where injuries were suffered as a result of the defendant’s actions while under the influence.
Despite that, many people are stopped and arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Texas every day. That happens in big cities and small rural areas, with police setting up what are called sobriety checkpoints in order to stop vehicles at an array of locations. These checkpoints, as their name implies, exist to give police officers an opportunity to determine if drivers are under the influence. To do so successfully, they may focus on vehicles that seem to be driven too fast, are driven erratically or otherwise appear to be driven in an unsafe manner.
Once stopped, drivers suspected of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be compelled to take multiple tests to determine their sobriety. Those tests can include measuring the ability to exercise gross and fine motor control, which is a very appropriate test since those skills are needed to safely operate a vehicle.
A Breathalyzer or other means of establishing a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) can also be used. If the driver’s BAC is above the legal limit, that can affect the charges that are filed against them and the legal strategy that they will need to employ in order to address those charges in court. Of course, there are many other factors in addition to the driver’s BAC that will affect the legal strategy that the driver will need to use.