Street Racing and DWI Charges in Texas

 Posted on March 03, 2023 in Uncategorized

We all speed sometimes. You may even have revved your engine at a light to egg someone on. But drag racing on public roads can be dangerous, and police in Houston are cracking down. At a recent annual 2K drag race event near Baytown this month, police reported that many illegal street races popped up in the area, resulting in more than 100 arrests over five days.

Street racing charges alone can be serious, but if the police believe you've also been drinking, you could face additional charges and more serious penalties. That's why you need an expert in criminal and DWI defense law, like attorney Doug Murphy, to protect your rights. Call the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. at 713-229-8333.

Street Racing in Texas

In Texas, street racing is illegal. Typically, a conviction for a first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. However, if you are intoxicated or have an open container of alcohol in the car while drag racing, street racing becomes a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction for a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. You can face even more serious charges if you have two or more prior convictions or if someone is injured or dies. The police may also charge you with organized criminal activity, and if convicted of street racing, you will also face the forfeiture of any motor vehicle used in the race.

DWI and Street Racing

In addition to street racing charges, if the police believe you are intoxicated, you may also face DWI charges. In Texas, it's illegal to:

• Operate a motor vehicle,
• In a public place,
• While intoxicated.

In Texas, "intoxication" includes having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit of.08%, but the legal definition is broader than that. The police can also arrest you for DWI if you no longer have the normal use of your mental or physical faculties, which is a subjective standard. In some cases, the police may charge you with a DWI and street racing charges, even if you don't have a BAC over the legal limit.

You Need an Expert in Texas DWI and Criminal Defense

If you're facing street racing charges in the Houston area, particularly if you're also facing DWI or alcohol-related charges, it's important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. You also deserve the best possible defense. Attorney Doug Murphy is an expert in both DWI and Criminal Defense law and is one of only two attorneys in Texas who is Board Certified in both these specialties.

Moreover, Best Lawyers in America from U.S. News and World Report also recently named Doug a "Lawyer of the Year" for Houston DWI Defense in 2021 and 2023. Doug and the skilled team at the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. have been defending Texans from DWI and criminal charges for years, and they can help you too. Find out why the Houston media calls Doug "the drinking driver's best friend." Call the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. at 713-229-8333 or contact them online to schedule your consultation.