What is the difference between a DWI and DUI in Texas?
The short answer is there is virtually no difference between DWI and DUI in Texas.
Both DUI and DWI are terms that refer to operating a motor vehicle losing the normal use of their mental or physical faculties. The biggest difference between the two is only in what the letters stand for. DWI is an acronym for driving while intoxicated and DUI stands for driving under the influence.
In some states, the drunk driving laws differentiate between a DUI and a DWI, where the DUI is a lesser charge. In these states, a DUI usually signifies a lesser degree of intoxication, which is determined by a person’s blood alcohol level at the time of arrest.
For example, New York State differentiates between DWI and DUI by establishing a blood alcohol level of .08 as the legal limit for DWI. If a person has a blood alcohol level of .07, the charges may be reduced to a DUI, which carries a lesser punishment.
In Texas like most states throughout the country have developed a zero policy, and consequently, they do not recognize any difference between a DUI and a DWI. As far as the law is concerned, any blood alcohol level over the specified limit is a crime that will be punished in the same manner. In some states, the terms DUI and DWI are used to indicate whether a person was driving impaired under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In this case, DUI is reserved for illegal drugs.
If you need any assistance with your case in Texas please contact our law firm at (713) 225-1038 or visit our website at www.mmalaw.com.
Colorado has a lesser included offense of driving while ability impaired to the slightest degree, so we recommend that there be no drinking at all if you drive here.