Everyone knows that if you drink and drive, you’re likely to get caught and arrested. However, some people like to try to bend the legal rules and try using alternative means of transportation while drunk.
Dallas is home to many people that get around by bicycle. So, what happens when someone gets pulled over on a bicycle after a night of heavy drinking? Will they qualify for a DWI and end up needing a bail bond? Let’s find out!
What is a DWI in Texas?
In Texas, when someone has a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher they are eligible for a DWI if they are pulled over while driving a motor vehicle.
State laws define a motor vehicle as any vehicle that can transport a person down a highway.
Penalties for a DWI in Texas can be steep, starting at $2,000 fines and mandatory 3 days in jail. The punishments only become more severe from there. Therefore, it’s no wonder that some people would try to use a bike to skirt the law while under the influence of alcohol.
Bicycles Aren’t Motorized, But…
So, can someone get DUI while riding a bicycle? The short answer should obviously be no. Bicycles aren’t usually motorized, so technically shouldn’t fall under the category of a vehicle that plays into a DWI.
However, there are no federal laws against bicycles being used on highways or freeways. Many lawyers that defend DWI victims point this factor out and attempt to make claims that bicycles are in fact eligible vehicles for the punishment.
Slowly but surely, bicycles, scooters, and skateboards have begun to further blur the vehicular lines with current additions of small motors on some models. Many prosecutors are even certain that we aren’t far off from these motorized versions of manual vehicles becoming fast enough to outright qualify a person for getting a DWI if operating them while intoxicated.
What Can You Get Arrested For?
Although you may not get a DWI, if the police do catch you under the influence on a bicycle, there is still a chance you’re going to jail. You could be charged with a misdemeanor for operating a bicycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These types of misdemeanors usually fall under charges like reckless driving or public intoxication; both of which are very serious and come with their own set of consequences.
Why Should You Get a Bail Bond if You’re Arrested?
Spending the night in a jail cell over a single mistake isn’t a great way to cap off your night out. Not only is being in a holding cell with people you don’t know a stressful situation, but it’s a flat-out dangerous one.
A Dallas bail bond can quickly get an offender out of a cell and back home until their first court hearing. Our industry gives offenders the chance to:
- Enjoy loved ones until their court hearing
- Discuss current and future employment status with their employers
- Meet freely with their attorney to fight their charges
- Seek therapy or rehabilitation after a rightful arrest for public intoxication
Arrested in Dallas? 1st Call Bail Bonds can Get You Home!
If you or a loved one were recently arrested in Dallas for public intoxication or any other reason, don’t wait behind a jail cell until the courts grant you a hearing. Contact 1st Call Bail Bonds today, for a quick, easy, release.
We are open 24/7 and are ready to help you and your family get past this traumatic event.
