Commercial DWI Lawyer Houston
Practice Areas
Attorney B. Keith Jackson Represents CDL Drivers Accused of DWI in Houston
Commercial drivers in Houston face stricter standards and more severe consequences when accused of driving while intoxicated. If you hold a commercial driver’s license and have been arrested for a DWI, you need a commercial DWI lawyer that Houston residents trust who understands how Texas law treats these charges. B. Keith Jackson, Attorney and Counselor at Law PLLC, represents CDL drivers throughout Houston and Harris County, defending their right to have their Houston CDL license, livelihood, and future.
A DWI conviction can lead to disqualifying your commercial driver’s license (CDL), job loss, and a permanent mark on your driving record. Attorney B. Keith Jackson provides experienced legal representation focused on protecting Houston CDL drivers from these consequences. If you are charged with a DWI in Houston or the surrounding areas, call (281) 545-5020 or reach out online today to schedule a free consultation with a Houston, TX DWI lawyer who defends commercial drivers with the urgency these cases demand.
What is the BAC Limit for CDL Drivers in Texas?
In Texas, the legal blood alcohol content limit for a CDL driver operating a commercial vehicle is 0.04 percent. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations and Texas state law mandate this limit, and both impose severe penalties for violations, including lengthy commercial driver’s license disqualifications. Under 49 CFR Part 382, which governs DOT alcohol testing rules, commercial drivers cannot perform safety-sensitive duties with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher, and employers must remove drivers from duty if they meet or exceed this level. These rules exist to reduce the risk of alcohol-related crashes and protect the public from impaired operation of large or hazardous-material vehicles.
During a traffic stop, law enforcement may administer a breath test or a field sobriety test to assess impairment. If you refuse, officers may arrest you and use a blood or urine test at the station to determine your BAC. A DWI conviction in Houston that involves driving a commercial vehicle while impaired can place your CDL, your livelihood, and your future at serious risk.
In Houston, Texas, and across Harris County, a criminal lawyer like B. Keith Jackson, who has experience handling DWI defense, can help you challenge the charges and protect your future in Houston CDL-related DWI cases.
BAC Limit for CDL Drivers in Personal Vehicle in Texas
If you are a CDL holder driving a non-commercial vehicle in Texas, the legal limit is the same as for regular drivers: a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. The legal consequences depend more on the type of vehicle you are operating at the time of the offense rather than the license you hold. While a DWI conviction in a personal vehicle may not carry the same immediate penalties as one in a commercial vehicle, it can still result in criminal charges and affect your commercial driver’s license.
The Texas Department of Public Safety may take action against your CDL even if the offense happened in a personal car. If you are facing DWI charges, B. Keith Jackson, Houston DWI lawyer, can help you understand how Texas driver’s license laws apply to your case and what steps to take to protect your record.
How a DWI Conviction Can Affect You and Your Commercial Driver’s License
A DWI conviction in Houston can carry serious penalties for CDL holders, especially compared to other drivers. In addition to fines, jail time, a criminal record, and potential felony charges for repeat offenders, a DWI offense can lead to the suspension or permanent loss of your commercial driver’s license. This does not just impact your record; it can put your job and income at risk. Employers are often unwilling to keep drivers with drunk driving convictions, making it difficult to return to work. At the Law Offices of B. Keith Jackson, a CDL DWI lawyer can help you fight your DWI charges and work to protect your license and livelihood.
First-Offense Commercial DWI in Texas
A first-offense DWI while operating a commercial vehicle in Texas carries both criminal and administrative penalties that can directly affect your CDL and employment. Upon arrest, Houston commercial drivers are subject to:
- A mandatory 24-hour out-of-service order
- One-year disqualification of the commercial driver’s license upon conviction
- Three-year disqualification if transporting hazardous materials requiring placards at the time of the offense
- Fines up to $2,000
- Jail time ranging from 72 hours to 180 days
- Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process, which may lead to further license suspension
- Additional penalties for refusing a breath test, blood test, or urine test
These penalties can disrupt your ability to work and lead to long-term damage to your driving record. If you are facing DWI charges as a commercial driver, speak with a Houston DWI lawyer at the Law Offices of B. Keith Jackson to help you understand your rights.
Second-Offense Commercial DWI in Texas
A second-offense commercial DWI in Texas can lead to permanent consequences for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, if you are convicted of two DWI charges while driving a commercial vehicle, you face a lifetime disqualification of your commercial driver’s license. Some drivers may be eligible to reapply for a Houston CDL after ten years. This option may still be available if the offenses resulted in intoxication assault, and you have completed the required reinstatement course. Penalties for a second-offense commercial DWI in Texas include:
- Lifetime CDL disqualification after two DWI convictions
- Loss of commercial driving privileges
- Long-term barriers to employment in CDL-dependent careers
You may qualify to apply for reinstatement of your Houston CDL after ten years, but only if the convictions did not involve human trafficking or using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony involving controlled substances. Even with this option, the penalties connected to a second DWI make it extremely difficult to continue a career in commercial transportation.
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Do to Help
A Houston criminal defense lawyer plays an essential role in protecting your future after a commercial DWI arrest. As an experienced Houston DWI attorney, B. Keith Jackson analyzes the details of your traffic stop, arrest, and breath test, blood test, or urine test to identify legal issues that may weaken the prosecution’s case. He reviews whether officers followed Texas law, FMCSA rules, and required testing procedures, since errors can affect charges in both criminal court and the Administrative License Revocation process.
Attorney Jackson represents commercial drivers at their ALR hearing to challenge the administrative suspension of a commercial driver’s license and works to reduce the length of any CDL suspension. He also evaluates whether the evidence supports having your case dismissed or a reduction in criminal charges, especially when defense strategies reveal faulty testing, improper stops, or violations of your rights.
Through a strong attorney-client relationship, Houston DWI lawyer B. Keith Jackson guides clients through each stage of the criminal defense process. He develops a strategy tailored to your DWI offense, protects your driving privileges, and works to safeguard your future as a professional driver in Harris County.
Commercial DWI FAQs
Will I Lose my CDL for a DWI in Texas?
Yes, commercial drivers can lose their CDL after a DWI in Texas. A first offense may lead to a one- to three-year disqualification, while a second offense results in lifetime loss.
What Disqualifies You From a CDL in Texas?
Disqualifying offenses in Texas include driving with a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher or refusing a breath or blood test, leaving the scene of an accident, using a vehicle to commit a felony, multiple serious traffic violations such as reckless driving or excessive speeding, and railroad crossing violations.
What Is The Legal Alcohol Limit For CDL Drivers In A Personal Vehicle?
The legal limit for CDL drivers operating a personal vehicle in Texas is 0.08 percent, the same as for non-commercial drivers. However, a personal DWI conviction in Texas can still result in serious criminal penalties and may impact your CDL status.
Why are DWI Laws Stricter for Commercial Vehicle Drivers?
DWI laws are stricter for commercial vehicle drivers because they operate larger, heavier vehicles that can cause more damage in a crash. Some of these vehicles also carry hazardous materials, increasing the risk to public safety.
How Long After a DWI Can You Get a CDL in Texas?
You may regain your CDL after a first DWI in Texas once the disqualification period ends, which typically lasts one to three years depending on the circumstances. A second DWI results in a lifetime disqualification, although reinstatement after ten years may be possible if the offenses did not involve human trafficking or using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony involving controlled substances.
Accused of Drunk Driving? Contact Houston CDL DWI Lawyer B. Keith Jackson for Experienced Representation
If you are a commercial driver facing DWI arrest charges in Houston, you need to act immediately to protect your commercial driver’s license, your income, and your future. As a Houston CDL DWI lawyer, Attorney B. Keith Jackson and his law firm provide focused legal representation for CDL holders at risk of losing their driving privileges and facing guilty verdicts that can end a career.
He understands the penalties CDL holders face and will work to build a strong DWI defense for your case. Call (281) 545-5020 or contact us online today to speak with our skilled Houston DWI attorney and take the next step toward protecting your rights.