Harris County Leads the Nation in DWI-Associated Deaths

Harris County “time and time once more” leads the nation in DWI-related deaths, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner stated shortly earlier than a multi-agency process power of space regulation enforcement companions arrested and jailed at the very least 104 individuals for driving whereas intoxicated between December 29, 2023, and January 1, 2024.

These arrests have been amongst at the very least 213 DWI arrests made throughout Harris County over the vacation weekend, says Harris County District Lawyer Kim Ogg.

She stated a number of DWI command facilities have been arrange in order that regulation enforcement officers may get drunk drivers off the streets as quickly as attainable.

Others arrested for unlawful gunfire in Houston space

Additionally arrested and jailed within the Houston space over the vacation weekend have been 7 individuals for firing weapons into the air as a part of New Yr’s Eve and New Yr’s Day celebrations.

In response to KHOU Channel 11 Information, Finner stated Houston Police obtained a whole bunch of calls about individuals taking pictures weapons into the air early Monday morning.

“You’re firing a gun into the air, and a bullet has to land someplace,” says Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers. “It’s simply completely a sickening feeling when it’s a must to speak to a household who simply misplaced a liked one as a result of somebody was, quote, taking pictures a gun up within the air to have fun the harboring of a brand new yr.” He stated such gunfire “isn’t the brightest thought on the earth.”

Finner stated 3 individuals reported that they have been struck by stray bullets, however he stated their accidents weren’t life-threatening.

DWI arrests are year-round

Simply earlier than the weekend, Finner stated town of Houston had tallied greater than 5,100 DWI arrests in 2023.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated one other 1,500 DWI arrests had been made in Harris County.

Ogg stated 1000’s of DWI fees had been filed in 2023, and 44 of these fees have been filed as intoxication manslaughter.

Intoxication manslaughter can imply 20 years in jail

Intoxication manslaughter is the worst drunk-driving offense. It’s a really critical cost that may carry extreme penalties upon a conviction. The cost can also apply if a non-driver causes somebody’s dying accidentally or by mistake as a consequence of being intoxicated.

The offense of intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. Upon conviction, that may deliver a jail sentence of two to twenty years and a superb of as much as $10,000.

The penalties could be even worse if the sufferer is a police officer, a firefighter, a decide or emergency medical personnel engaged in official duties. That may increase the cost to a first-degree felony, which may deliver punishments of 5 years to life in jail.

As for an arrest for DWI as a primary offense, if an individual has a measurable blood alcohol content material (BAC) between 0.08% and 0.15%, that could be a class B misdemeanor, but when the BAC was 0.15% or extra, the offense turns into a category A misdemeanor.

The penalty for a category B misdemeanor in Texas is serving as much as 180 days in jail, paying a superb of as much as $2,000, or each. The penalty for a category A misdemeanor in Texas is serving as much as 1 yr in jail, paying a superb of as much as $4,000, or each.

Past these punishments, an individual may have their driver’s license suspended for as much as 1 yr, even for a first-time intoxication offense. The harm to an individual’s repute and standing additionally may lead to them shedding employment or job alternatives.

Texas has highest share of drunk-driving deaths

In response to Forbes Advisor, Texas has the best share of drunk-driving deaths in the US, with 963 such deaths in 2023. These symbolize over 42% of all Texas visitors deaths.

The report additionally discovered Texas to be the third-worst state for drunk driving. (Montana and South Dakota have been first and second within the survey, which computed outcomes based mostly on per capita inhabitants figures.)

Texas additionally ranked because the second-worst state for the share of drunk drivers concerned in deadly crashes (8.3 per 100,000 licensed drivers).

Forbes additionally stated Texas had the third-highest charge of drunk drivers below the age of 21 who have been concerned in deadly crashes.

Get one of the best Houston-area DWI protection lawyer

Should you or a liked one faces a cost of DWI within the Houston space, you could get the greatest DWI protection lawyer or lawyer you’ll find.

Remember the fact that being charged with DWI or another intoxication offense in Texas doesn’t imply that you just’re responsible and will likely be convicted by a jury. However you will have a talented, educated and skilled DWI protection lawyer to deal with your case.

What are protection methods for a DWI cost?

As for what DWI protection methods could also be attainable to struggle such a cost, your drunk driving protection lawyer might be able to set up that arresting cops lacked a authorized purpose to cease you.

Maybe it additionally could possibly be argued that you weren’t legally intoxicated. To show intoxication, it should be proven that the driving force had a BAC of greater than 0.08%. As well as, it could possibly be established that authorized strategies weren’t used to take breath or blood samples to measure your alcohol consumption.

Even when such a check was taken legally, it could possibly be asserted that the outcomes weren’t correct as a result of breathalyzers and blood assessments typically are unreliable. Across the nation, 1000’s of breathalyzer assessments have been thrown out of courtroom as proof as a consequence of such unreliability.

It additionally could also be attainable to determine that you weren’t, actually, the driving force of the motorized vehicle in query.