Parenting is stressful, and if your teen gets in an accident, it can be absolutely terrifying. Understanding what a DWI is, the potential charges your teen could face and the steps you should take can help you get through a difficult situation with some clarity.
Houston, Texas, is famous for the Kennedy Space Center and being the training base for astronauts around the globe. Located in the southern part of the United States, its also known for its subtropical climate and hot summers. It is also the fourth largest city in the country.
If your teen has gotten into an accident in this city, finding a skilled DWI defense attorney in Houston is your best bet in protecting their future.
What is a DWI?
DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated and is a serious criminal charge. The laws for DWI can vary by state. This is different from a DUI, which stands for Driving Under the Influence. Typically, the BAC for DUI is anything above 0.08%, while heavily intoxicated individuals are charged with DWIs.
Penalties for a DWI charge
The penalties for a DWI can be serious and vary depending on the circumstances. Possible charges include:
- Fines
- License suspension
- Mandatory education programs
- Community service
If the DWI involved an accident or damage to property, it can lead to much severe charges, including higher penalties, and even jail time.
Steps Parents Should Take
1. Stay Calm: The first thing you should do is stay calm. When you’re panicky, you tend to miss details or make mistakes. Staying calm can help you properly grasp the situation and work through the options available for your teen.
2. Understand What Happened: Once you’ve calmed down, you should find out the details of the accident – what exactly happened, who was there, what your teen was doing, what the officers at the scene did, if there was any damage, and so on.
3. Hire a Lawyer: Your next step should be to hire a competent lawyer to guide you through the charges. They can help you get the charges reduced or even dismissed depending on your circumstances.
4. Support Your Teen: It is important to help your teen understand the severity of their actions and ensure they don’t repeat them. It is also important that you let them know that you’re there for them regardless of the outcome. Knowing there’s someone in their corner can help your teen deal with the situation better.
How DWI Charges Can Affect Your Teen’s Life
A DWI is considered a serious criminal charge and can affect your teen’s entire life. Having a record can impact employment opportunities, preventing them from securing well-paying jobs. It can also affect higher education prospects, with schools refusing to admit those with a criminal history.
DWI charges can also affect how your teen is viewed by society – damaging their reputation forever. Friends may avoid associating with them, and other parents could view them as a danger to their own children. This could in turn lead to depression and other psychological issues, affecting their ability to lead a normal life.
Conclusion
Being a parent is a difficult undertaking. When your kid gets in trouble, its your job to help them see the severity of their actions and help guide them to a better place. Knowing what to do is the first step in that journey. Especially if it involves DWI charges.
Remember to keep calm, gather evidence, and hire a good lawyer, as your teen’s future depends on it.
Key Takeaways
- A DWI is a serious criminal offense that can lead to fines, license suspension, community service, and possible jail time.
- Parents should stay calm and gather all the facts after their teen is arrested for a DWI.
- Hiring an experienced DWI defense attorney quickly can help protect a teen’s legal rights and future opportunities.
- A DWI conviction can affect employment, college admissions, insurance rates, and personal reputation for years.
- Emotional support and guidance from parents can help teenagers learn from the incident and avoid future mistakes.
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