George Michael's DUI arrest provides an example in Houston, Harris County, Texas
George Michael, one of the biggest music stars of the 80's, and a favorite of many girls during my teen age years has been getting into trouble pretty regularly the past few years. This type of behavior is not uncommon when someone fails to address an addiction. His latest episode was a DUI arrest where he was subsequently sentenced to eight weeks in jail. Sadly, his sentence was based more on his past criminal history then the current charge.
His unfortunate arrest in the United Kingdom still allows us to learn a few things concerning how a DWI/DUI arrest in Houston, Harris County, Texas is handled. First, it is never a good thing to admit to the police officer that you are not in any shape to drive or that you have been smoking marijuana. Second, in Texas there is no distinction between a DUI (driving under the influence) and a DWI (driving while intoxicated) charge since they are both Class "B" misdemeanors. Third, if you have been previously convicted of some other crime the prosecutors will try to hold that against you despite never being convicted of DUI/DWI before. Fourth, a DUI/DWI conviction will result in your driver's license being suspended. In Mr. Michael's case his license was suspended for five years. Typically, aHarris County, Texas Judge will suspend it for one year, if one opts to do jail time. Fifth, in Texas, parole does not exist for misdemeanor crimes. Therefore, if someone is sentenced to do some time in the Harris County jail they only do the half the actual time.
Please note that it is very rare for someone that has never been previously arrested, is in this country legally, and was bonded out of jail for a first time DWI to do jail time in Houston, Harris County, Texas.