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Intoxication Assault (3rd Degree Felony)
Penalties for Non-Driving Alcohol-Related Offenses by Adults
The punishment for making alcoholic beverages available to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to
$4,000, confinement in jail for up to a year, or both. Additionally, the violator will have his or her driver license
automatically suspended for 180 days upon conviction.
A person 21 or older (other than the parent or guardian) can be held liable for damages caused by intoxication of a
minor under 18 if the adult knowingly provided alcoholic beverages to a minor or knowingly allowed the minar to be
served or provided alcoholic beverages on the premises owned or leased by the adult.
Penalties for Non-Driving Alcohol-Related Offenses by Minors
ZERO TOLERANCE includes penalties for alcohol- related offenses not associated with driving. These offenses
include
purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol, falsely identifying as 21 years of age or older to a person engaged in
the
selling or serving of alcoholic beverages, and consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage.
The penalties for non-driving alcohol-related offenses according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code are:
DISTRACTED DRIVING
Distracted driving is the number one killer of drivers in America. When you are driving a vehicle and your attention
is
not on the road, you are putting yourself, your passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians in danger.
Distracted driving can result when you perform any activity that may shift your full attention from the driving
lask.
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS AGAINST THE LAW. An offense is a misdemeanor and penalties for texting while driving
can be
fines of $25 to $99 for a first offense and fines of $100 to $200 for subsequent offenses.
To educate drivers on the impact of distracted driving. Texas requires all teen drivers to complete the impact Texas
Teen Driver (ITTD) Program prior to completing a driving skills test. You may find information and
requirements about the ITTD program at
https://www.dps.lexas.gov/Driverlicense/ITD.htm
Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division
https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense
Texas has tough alcohol-related laws for minors,
and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a problem
that affects all Texans. Texas enacted laws to
discourage drivers from drinking and driving, and
to make Texas roads safer.
Texas defines a “minor” for alcohol-related offenses as
someone under 21 years of age. A minor may not
purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, or possess an
alcoholic beverage. The Texas ZERO TOLERANCE law
makes it illegal for any minor to operate a motor vehicle,
including a watercraft, in a public place while having ANY
detectable amount of alcohol in their system. It is a
criminal offense of Driving under the Influence of
Alcohol by a Minor (DUIA by a Minor). The 0.08%
blood alcohol content (BAC) legal limit of intoxication
does not apply to minors.
How the Law Works for Minors
A police officer with reasonable suspicion or probable
cause that an offense has occurred may stop a vehicle.
The officer may ask the driver to perform one or more
field sobriety tests. In the case of a minor, if the officer
believes there is ANY detectable alcohol in the minor’s
system, the minor may be:
Suspensions for Minors Providing a Specimen –
Confirmed Detectable Amount of Alcohol
If the analysis of the specimen detects ANY amount of
alcohol or controlled substance in the minor’s system at
the time the minor was operating a motor vehicle or
watercraft in a public place, the minor’s driver license is
suspended (or privilege denied if unlicensed) for:
Suspension for Minors Refusing to Provide a
Specimen
Refusal to provide a specimen may result in the minor
being placed in jail and held until bond is posted, or until
appearance before a magistrate or Juvenile Court Judge.
The minor’s driver license is suspended (or privilege
denied if unlicensed) for:
