Most people facing a DWI charge in Texas focus on the obvious penalties — jail time, hefty fines, and losing their driver’s license. But the reality is that these well-known consequences are just the tip of the iceberg. While everyone knows about license suspensions and court costs (if you don’t, read our article on Texas DWI penalties), there are far more insidious DWI consequences that often catch people completely off guard:
- Professional licensing revocation
- Immigration complications
- Child custody battles
- College financial aid disqualification
- Housing discrimination
- Skyrocketing insurance premiums
- Employment background check failures
- Professional liability increases
Don’t let a DWI conviction silently sabotage your future. Call Mark Thiessen, ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist and triple Board-Certified DWI attorney in Houston, today at (713) 864-9000 for a free consultation and let our proven track record protect everything you’ve worked to build.
How bad is a DWI in Texas?
Let’s cut straight to the chase — a DWI in Texas is bad. Really bad. And if you think it’s just a “traffic ticket” or something you can brush off, you’re in for a rude awakening.
Under Texas Penal Code § 49.04, driving while intoxicated isn’t treated as some minor infraction. It’s a criminal offense that can land you in jail, drain your bank account, and follow you around for the rest of your life. Even a first-time DWI is classified as a Class B misdemeanor, putting you in the same category as someone charged with assault or theft.
The hard truth about what “bad” actually means when it comes to drunk driving in Texas, is that DWIs are often bad enough to affect the rest of your life — especially if you don’t have the right DWI attorney in your corner.
What are the consequences of a DWI in Texas?
Professional licensing revocation
If you hold any type of professional license in Texas — whether you’re a teacher, nurse, real estate agent, attorney, or dozens of other licensed professionals — a DWI conviction can end your career permanently. State licensing boards don’t mess around when it comes to criminal convictions, and, although DWI aren’t technically crimes of moral turpitude, they’re often viewed as evidence of poor judgment and character.
Many licensing boards have mandatory reporting requirements, meaning you’ll need to disclose your conviction and face potential disciplinary action, including suspension, probation, or outright revocation. For healthcare professionals, teachers, and others in positions of trust, even a misdemeanor DWI can trigger automatic review processes that put your entire livelihood at risk.
Learn more: What happens if you get a DWI in the military?
Immigration complications
For non-citizens, a DWI conviction can trigger immigration consequences that are far more serious than any jail time or fine. Even legal permanent residents can face deportation proceedings, especially if the DWI is aggravated. Those seeking citizenship may find their applications denied or delayed for years due to the “good moral character” requirement. Military personnel who are non-citizens face double trouble — both military disciplinary action and potential immigration consequences that can derail their path to citizenship and destroy their military careers simultaneously.
Child custody battles
A DWI conviction becomes powerful ammunition in family court, where judges prioritize the “best interests of the child” above all else. Your ex-spouse’s attorney will use your DWI to paint you as irresponsible, dangerous, and unfit for custody or unsupervised visitation.
Even if the DWI had nothing to do with your children, family court judges may impose restrictions on your parenting time, require supervised visits, or mandate alcohol monitoring devices. In contested custody cases, a DWI conviction can tip the scales against you and cost you precious time with your children for years to come.
College financial aid disqualification
One of the most overlooked consequences is how your DWI conviction can impact your children’s access to federal financial aid for college. Drug-related convictions can disqualify students from federal student loans and grants, and while DWI isn’t always included, many schools and private scholarship programs conduct background checks on parents as part of their application process.
This means your mistake today could cost your children thousands of dollars in educational opportunities down the road, creating a ripple effect that impacts the next generation of your family.
Housing discrimination
Finding decent housing becomes significantly more difficult with a DWI on your record, as landlords can legally discriminate against applicants with criminal histories — even misdemeanor convictions. Many apartment complexes and rental companies have blanket policies against renting to anyone with a criminal record, regardless of the circumstances.
This is especially problematic in competitive rental markets where landlords have multiple qualified applicants to choose from. Even years after your conviction, you may find yourself limited to substandard housing or forced to pay higher deposits and fees.
Skyrocketing insurance premiums
DWI car insurance in Texas is a financial nightmare that can last for years after your conviction. Insurance companies classify DWI offenders as high-risk drivers, which typically means your premiums will double, triple, or even quadruple overnight. You’ll also be required to carry SR-22 insurance, a special certificate proving you meet minimum coverage requirements, which comes with additional fees and restrictions.
Some insurance companies will simply drop you entirely, forcing you to seek coverage through high-risk insurers that charge premium prices for basic protection. These increased costs can easily add up to thousands of additional dollars every year for at least three to five years.
Employment background check failures
Most employers conduct background checks these days, and a DWI conviction will show up on every single one — often leading to automatic disqualification from consideration. This is particularly devastating for professionals seeking jobs in healthcare, education, finance, transportation, or any field requiring security clearances.
Even entry-level positions at major retailers, restaurants, and service companies now run criminal background checks as standard practice. The conviction doesn’t just affect your current job search; it creates a permanent barrier that will impact every career opportunity for the rest of your working life.
Professional liability increases
For doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals who carry malpractice or professional liability insurance, a DWI conviction can trigger massive premium increases or policy cancellations. Insurance companies view criminal convictions as indicators of increased risk, and they adjust their rates accordingly.
Some professional liability insurers will simply refuse to renew policies for professionals with DWI convictions, forcing them to seek coverage through specialized high-risk carriers at significantly higher costs. This can add thousands of dollars annually to the cost of maintaining your professional practice, making it financially difficult to continue in your chosen career.
Uncommon DWI consequences — FAQs
What are the consequences of a DWI first offense in Texas?
Beyond the obvious fines and license suspension, a DWI first offense in Texas can still come with all the hidden consequences listed above, like professional licensing reviews that end careers, disqualification from federal jobs requiring security clearances, and an impact on your ability to volunteer at your child’s school.
What are the Texas drinking and driving laws regarding BAC limits?
Texas drinking and driving laws set the legal limit at 0.08% BAC for drivers over 21, but you can still be arrested and convicted with a BAC below 0.08% if you’re impaired. The law defines intoxication as either having a BAC of 0.08% or higher OR not having normal use of your mental or physical faculties due to alcohol consumption. For commercial drivers, the limit drops to 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol can result in charges.
How long does it take for alcohol to wear off enough to pass a DWI test?
How long does it take for alcohol to wear off? Your body metabolizes roughly one standard drink per hour, but your BAC can continue rising for up to 90 minutes after your last drink due to absorption time. Even when you “feel sober,” you may still be legally intoxicated, and alcohol can be detected in blood tests for 12–24 hours or longer in urine tests.
These hidden DWI consequences won’t wait — neither should you. Call Thiessen Law Firm today!
While most people focus on avoiding jail time and paying fines, the real devastation of DWI consequences happens in the shadows — through lost professional licenses, destroyed career opportunities, housing discrimination, and family court battles that can cost you time with your children.
That’s exactly why you need an attorney who doesn’t just understand criminal law — you need someone who understands the science behind DWI prosecutions and how to protect you from every angle of attack. ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Mark Thiessen and the team at Thiessen Law Firm have secured over 100 Not Guilty verdicts and thousands of dismissals for clients by challenging the prosecution’s evidence and fighting to protect their futures from these devastating long-term consequences.
Your life, your career, and your family’s future are too important to gamble with. Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 for a free consultation and let our proven track record protect what matters most to you.
More Helpful Articles by Thiessen Law Firm:
- What is Possession of a Dangerous Drug in Texas?
- How to Protect Yourself Against Malicious Allegations
- What to Do if You’re Facing a Domestic Assault Charge
- Can Assault With Bodily Injury Texas Charges Be Dropped?
- Step-by-Step Guide to the ALR Hearing Process
