DWI questions for my 19 year old son?

Question

My 19 year old son just got a DWI in June. We live in Texas. His first court date was postponed until August. We did not go to court with him but he is under the impression he will get everything dropped and just be on probation. I have heard from others, including those who have DWIs, that it is thousands of dollars in fines, they suspend your license and will be forced to take self help classes. Also if dropped will it be off of his driving record and not affect his auto insurance? Also he has a warrant in another town because he did not pay a ticket. Will that be known when he goes to court next time?

Answer 1

All of the various judges will know about all of the various charges, even if those charges are not on their court docket.

The DWI is probably going to stick like glue.  If the court wants to send your son a strong message ... they will add minor in possession. The paraphernalia charge ain't going to help.

His license will probably be suspended ... and the others you talked to are right, a couple of thousand sounds right for the fines and fees associated with this offense.

When your son gets his license back ... I wouldn't want to pay his insurance tab.

Answer 2

They do not drop DWI, also he is underage so more charges might be filed.  Yes, they will know he has a warrant out for him and will probable arrest him in the courtroom.  Get the warrant and the ticket taken care of NOW.  If he goes to court and they arrest him on a warrant he can forget about charges being reduced.  He needs to have a lawyer.

Answer 3

I have a friend who got a DUI, but we live in California so it might be different in Texas.  If he pleads no contest to the charges all prison time will be under time served.  He'll get probation for three years and have to attend AA meetings and other courses in addition to paying anywhere $1,000-$5,000 in fines. It is also on your record for 10 years and your insurance will be higher as a result of the incident.

Answer 4

Your son has some issues coming up fast. He's in denial if he really thinks all this is going to go away. I'll bet he'll be found guilty of DWI and then Poss of Paraphernalia. Both if run concurrent could both be felons. It will take a lot of money for court cost , crime victims funds, any time he spent in jail for any and all pending charges and any type of lab fees to identify what the paraphernalia was used for. Then if there are traces of any type of drug found he could be facing drug charges also.

He will be directed to obtain some level of drug/alcohol treatment and if he uses anything while on probation (best you can hope for) he'll have more issues. Also is it legal to use alcohol in Texas at 19? If not the Pros. will throw in underage possession. I'd plan on lots of expenses for at least 5 years, if he follows all the rules from here on out. My co worker was a probation officer in Texas and states all the time the laws in Texas are way harsher than here in Missouri. Good Luck. I might add there is a lot of GREAT information being offered to you and your son on your question-HOPEFULLY your son will read it since he's the one facing a lot of issues coming at him at a young age. I work with females 18 and up and the younger ones have a real bad attitude about being on probation and they get worse before they get the idea that they can't fight the system

Answer 5

I cannot tell you about Texas law but in some states they have a program called a diversion.  You are eligible ONLY if you have never had a previous charge.  The fines are less, and sometimes waved to only court costs and they may be required to attend a class on the dangers of alcohol and they will be on probation and have to see a probation officer regularly.  If they are arrested for ANY other charge of ANY kind, they forfeit their diversion and will have to do their time and pay all fines.

Answer 6

Mom...it's time for sonny boy to fight his own battles. If he knows so much, let him go to court and see how much he doesn't know.

He needs to hire an attorney and consult with him/her. And you need to let him deal with it.

My son is 18 almost 19 and I can tell you it's HARD to let them take the hard knocks of life, but if you interfere now, he still will be an immature slime sucking lowlife when he is 30. The most loving thing you can do as a mom is to let him deal and let the chips fall where they may. He won't learn if you don't.

Answer 7

I wouldn't trust a 19 year old's impression of what may happen.......if everything gets dropped (dismissed), how can he be on probation?......maybe get a consultation with an attorney to find out best/worst case scenarios....and yes, a judge will often be looking at your son's criminal history, so he should take care of the warrant beforehand.

Answer 8

You had better have a good Loooong talk with him!!  A DWI charge is NEVER dropped, he will have license suspension, he may have BIG fines, the warrant may be brought up if the prosecutor has done his job well, I'm surprised the Officer arressting your son didn't notice it, and don't be surprised if the courts also add an additional charge of "Under age drinking/minor in possession of Alcohol" when he is in court.

Answer 9

Go spend between $25 and $100 and talk to an attorney out there.  I've never seen a DWI dropped before.

Answer 10

The warrant should have shown up when he was charged with the DUI, if not, it will appear when he goes to court if he is not arrested sooner.  It will not be dropped because he is under 21.  There is a Zero Tolerance law unless the legal drinking age there is 19.  Because of the charge, his license will be suspended.  He will need an attorney.  The court will not allow him to defend himself because ther is the possibility of jail time.  It will definitely affect his insurance.

Answer 11

He won't get a DWI dropped, maybe reduced. He'll have to pay a large fine,  increased insurance costs, & probably will have to go to either AA or alcohol education classes that aren't free.  It will always be on his driving record. He's looking at thousands of dollars in the long run for his mistake.

Answer 12

Honestly, I would not be getting involved in your Son's criminal problems. He needs to ask the questions and to find out what his penalties will be. Do yourself a favor and don't get into this. It is understandable you are concerned and love your son, but really your are doing him more harm than good. And to sound really cold hearted here but, anything that punishment wise that your son gets he deserves. Good luck