Driving While Intoxicated
Corpus Christi, Texas DWI Attorneys

Our lawyers have extensive experience defending clients charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Being charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) is serious. Even a first-time DWI offense can land you in jail for up to six months with fines up to $2,000. You may also face suspension of your driver's license, punitive surcharges, drug and alcohol treatment, countless hours of community service, and more!

Corpus Christi DWI Defense Lawyer Mark Pantano is a former Assistant District Attorney who has prosecuted and defended hundreds of DWI cases. He has the experience to acheive the best possible outcome in any situation.

Call now for a Free and Confidential Consultation
(210) 408-2058

Police and prosecuting attorneys are cracking down hard on Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI), and every other intoxication-related offense including Intoxication Assault and Intoxication Manslaughter. With "No Refusal" programs and tougher sentences, DWI Charges are serious. You need an aggressive defense attorney who knows how to challenge the State's case against you. Corpus Christi DWI Defense Lawyer Mark Pantano has handled these cases for 10 years and knows how to provide you with the best possible defense.

Can't Make it to Our Office in San Antonio?
No Problem. In most cases, we can handle everything over the phone. We will always appear with you in Court and we never charge for travel. We make the process as easy as possible for you. Call to find out how we can help. We'll put your mind at ease.

If you have been charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) in Corpus Christi, the stakes are very high. You could be sentenced to jail and ordered to pay large fines. A conviction for DWI could also impact your driver's license and cause you serious problems in the future when you apply for a job or college.

Protect yourself now, and call our law office. Corpus Christi Attorney Mark Pantano and the lawyers at The Pantano Law Firm have years of experience successfully defending clients against charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI). Whether you are charged with misdemeanor DWI in one of the Nueces County Courts at Law, or with felony DWI in a Nueces County District Court, we can help. Our DWI Defense Attorneys have extensive experience and will defend you aggressively in any situation.

We understand that this is about more than a criminal charge of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI), this is about your future. At every step of the way, we fight to protect your rights and your future. So call us now. Take advantage of a free and confidential consultation to see why our law firm is right for you.

DWI and Intoxication-Related Offenses

Our lawyers defend Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) and all Related Charges in Corpus Christi, Texas:

• DWI (first offense) - Class B Misdemeanor
• DWI (second offense) - Class A Misdemeanor
• DWI (third or more) - Third Degree Felony
• Boating While Intoxicated
• Flying While Intoxicated
• DWI with Child Passenger
• Public Intoxication
• Intoxication Assault
• Intoxication Manslaughter

Selected DWI and Intoxication Statutes:
Texas Penal Code

PENAL CODE

TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS

CHAPTER 49. INTOXICATION AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE OFFENSES

Sec. 49.01.  DEFINITIONS

In this chapter:

(1)  "Alcohol concentration" means the number of grams of alcohol per:

(A)  210 liters of breath;

(B)  100 milliliters of blood; or

(C)  67 milliliters of urine.

(2)  "Intoxicated" means:

(A)  not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body; or

(B)  having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

(3)  "Motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section 32.34(a).

(4)  "Watercraft" means a vessel, one or more water skis, an aquaplane, or another device used for transporting or carrying a person on water, other than a device propelled only by the current of water.

(5)  "Amusement ride" has the meaning assigned by Section 2151.002, Occupations Code.

(6)  "Mobile amusement ride" has the meaning assigned by Section 2151.002, Occupations Code.

Sec. 49.02.  PUBLIC INTOXICATION

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another.

(a-1)  For the purposes of this section, a premises licensed or permitted under the Alcoholic Beverage Code is a public place.

(b)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the alcohol or other substance was administered for therapeutic purposes and as a part of the person's professional medical treatment by a licensed physician.

(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(d)  An offense under this section is not a lesser included offense under Section 49.04.

(e)  An offense under this section committed by a person younger than 21 years of age is punishable in the same manner as if the minor committed an offense to which Section 106.071, Alcoholic Beverage Code, applies.

Sec. 49.031.  POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN MOTOR VEHICLE

(a)  In this section:

(1)  "Open container" means a bottle, can, or other receptacle that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage and that is open, that has been opened, that has a broken seal, or the contents of which are partially removed.

(2)  "Passenger area of a motor vehicle" means the area of a motor vehicle designed for the seating of the operator and passengers of the vehicle. The term does not include:

(A)  a glove compartment or similar storage container that is locked;

(B)  the trunk of a vehicle; or

(C)  the area behind the last upright seat of the vehicle, if the vehicle does not have a trunk.

(3)  "Public highway" means the entire width between and immediately adjacent to the boundary lines of any public road, street, highway, interstate, or other publicly maintained way if any part is open for public use for the purpose of motor vehicle travel. The term includes the right-of-way of a public highway.

(b)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway, regardless of whether the vehicle is being operated or is stopped or parked. Possession by a person of one or more open containers in a single criminal episode is a single offense.

(c)  It is an exception to the application of Subsection (b) that at the time of the offense the defendant was a passenger in:

(1)  the passenger area of a motor vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for compensation, including a bus, taxicab, or limousine; or

(2)  the living quarters of a motorized house coach or motorized house trailer, including a self-contained camper, a motor home, or a recreational vehicle.

(d)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(e)  A peace officer charging a person with an offense under this section, instead of taking the person before a magistrate, shall issue to the person a written citation and notice to appear that contains the time and place the person must appear before a magistrate, the name and address of the person charged, and the offense charged. If the person makes a written promise to appear before the magistrate by signing in duplicate the citation and notice to appear issued by the officer, the officer shall release the person.

Sec. 49.04.  DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.

(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.

(c)  If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person operating the motor vehicle had an open container of alcohol in the person's immediate possession, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of six days.

Sec. 49.045.  DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED WITH CHILD PASSENGER

(a)  A person commits an offense if:

(1)  the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place; and

(2)  the vehicle being operated by the person is occupied by a passenger who is younger than 15 years of age.

(b)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony.

Sec. 49.05.  FLYING WHILE INTOXICATED

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating an aircraft.

(b)  Except as provided by Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.

Sec. 49.06.  BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a watercraft.

(b)  Except as provided by Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.

Sec. 49.065.  ASSEMBLING OR OPERATING AN AMUSEMENT RIDE WHILE INTOXICATED

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating an amusement ride or while assembling a mobile amusement ride.

(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.

(c)  If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person operating the amusement ride or assembling the mobile amusement ride had an open container of alcohol in the person's immediate possession, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum term of confinement of six days.

Sec. 49.07.  INTOXICATION ASSAULT

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person, by accident or mistake:

(1)  while operating an aircraft, watercraft, or amusement ride while intoxicated, or while operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated, by reason of that intoxication causes serious bodily injury to another; or

(2)  as a result of assembling a mobile amusement ride while intoxicated causes serious bodily injury to another.

(b)  In this section, "serious bodily injury" means injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

(c)  Except as provided by Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.

Sec. 49.08.  INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER

(a)  A person commits an offense if the person:

(1)  operates a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and

(2)  is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.

(b)  Except as provided by Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.