Being charged with a crime can have intense impacts on the rest of your life. One thing you may not realize, however, is the severity of a DWI charge. If you were charged with a DWI in Texas, understanding whether or not this information will appear on your background check is critical. The following blog explores these matters in further detail and you’ll also learn why it’s imperative to connect with Houston DWI lawyers who can help represent you during these matters.
What Constitutes a DWI?
In Texas, you are guilty of a DWI when you are discovered driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the legal limit of 0.08% or higher. You should also note that you can be charged with a DWI in the event you are discovered driving while there is alcohol in your system and the officer conducting the stop believes the alcohol in your system impacts your ability to drive a vehicle.
For drivers under 21 in Texas, the bar is significantly lower. Under the Zero Tolerance Policy, any driver under the age of 21 caught driving with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, even as low as 0.01%, can face a DWI charge.
Does This Charge Show Up on My Background Check?
Some states consider a DWI as a traffic offense. This means it will only appear on your traffic history instead of your criminal history. Texas, however, is not one of these states. As such, your DWI conviction will appear on a criminal background check and can impact your life.
One of the most common areas a DWI will affect is your insurance rates. When you are charged with a DWI, you’ll find that your insurance premiums will skyrocket as you are considered a risky driver. In addition, the inclusion of a DWI on your background check can impact your ability to secure certain jobs. For example, you likely will no longer be able to drive trucks, school buses, or other public transportation methods.
You should also know that a DWI cannot be expunged, meaning it will remain on your record permanently. As such, the most important thing you can do is connect with an experienced attorney who can help you fight the charges against you. Your attorney may be able to prove that your arrest violated your constitutional rights as you are the victim of an unreasonable search and seizure. Similarly, you may be able to show that the breathalyzer device used in the arrest to measure your BAC was unreliable or malfunctioning.
When you’re in legal trouble, the team at the Sparks Law Firm can help you through these complex times. If you are charged, our firm will examine the circumstances surrounding your case to explore your legal options. Connect with us today to learn how we can assist you through these matters.
