Out-of-State DWI Charges
Will a DUI from Another State Affect My Record in Texas?
If you have received a DWI conviction while in another state, then you may also get your license suspended in Texas, depending on the circumstances. Under the Driver's License Compact (DLC), drivers can be
penalized for violations committed in other states if the violation was equivalent to Texas State Law. States that have agreed to the DLC will report the conviction to the driver's home state.
Often, however, the state in which you are convicted will fail to notify the state of Texas, in which case, no action will be pursued. When the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is notified of the out-of-state conviction, then it may opt to take a few different paths of action.
What Happens at the Out-of-state DWI Trial?
They will first put a judge in charge of the trial, who will determine if the DWI conviction is similar to a conviction according to the laws in Texas. If they are, then they may pursue the equivalent penalties. If they determine that they are not similar, then they may ignore the penalties. Should the DPS choose to pursue penalties and suspend a license, then they will notify the individual, who may then apply for an Administrative License Revocation hearing, which can help avoid suspension.
To make sure that your hearing is taken care of in the proper manner, obtain my help as a qualified Plano DWI defense lawyer who has extensive experience in this area. It is important to note that if you have been arrested for multiple DWIs, then an out-of state conviction may influence your DWI conviction in Texas. This is only if the offense was similar to a Texas offense, which is again, up to the judge to decide.
Arrested for DWI While Visiting Texas?
On the other hand, if you are visiting Texas and get arrested for drunk driving, then you are not necessarily subject to the laws of Texas. According to the Driver's License Compact (DLC), in order to penalize someone for a moving violation like DWI, the drunk driving laws of the driver's home state must be comparable to the state of Texas.
If Texas has a law that your home state does not, then your own state will not hold you to the laws of Texas if they have agreed to the DLC. These states include Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Though these states have not agreed to fully honor the DLC, they will report your tickets to your home state.
Contact an Experienced DUI Attorney in Collin County
If you have been accused or convicted of an out-of-state DWI, then do not hesitate to speak with me as soon as possible. I focus solely on DWI, and have brought more than 200 cases to trial. If you have any questions about how to get your charges dropped or reduced, then contact The Law Office of Troy P. Burleson.
As a former prosecutor, I have many effective defense strategies that have helped countless individuals. Proof of my legal expertise can be seen in the fact that I have been included in the list of Texas' Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ for 2011-2012.
Don't wait to get your DWI case taken care of today! My firm offers all prospective clients a free case evaluation for your convenience.