It's no secret that Texas law enforcement officers take a "tough on crime" approach to their jobs. As you may have gathered from other posts we've written, they make no exception for drunk driving. While a first-time drunk driving conviction may have lesser consequences, a third DUI charge -- any subsequent charges -- is considered a felony in Texas and comes with stiffer penalties. One Dallas man learned this recently after being convicted of his eighth DUI.

The 54-year-old man was arrested nearly a year ago after a witness called 911 to report a vehicle that was driving erratically. He was pulled over by police around 4:45 in the afternoon. As he was being questioned by police, the district attorney's office says a beer can fell out of the vehicle. Officers allegedly discovered an open alcohol container in the car as well.

Police reported that the man's blood-alcohol level was 0.24. Records also showed that the Dallas man had been convicted for driving while intoxicated seven prior times.

In a recent trial, a jury spent a short 30 minutes deliberating before finding him guilty of DUI. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison and must serve 14 years before he can become eligible for parole.

Being accused of drunk driving is a frightening experience, especially if it is not your first encounter with police. As can be seen from this man's sentence, felony DUI charges come with serious penalties. Because of this, it is important to have a clear understanding of your rights and options. There are many factors to be considered in a DUI case, and they are not always clear-cut as prosecutors may make them sound. Speaking to an experienced defense attorney may be helpful.

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "Man gets 55 years in prison after eighth DWI conviction," Dianna Hunt, Dec. 16, 2011