Dallas DWI Lawyer
A drunk driving conviction can change your life in the worst possible ways. Fight against your charge so that you can hopefully avoid a conviction with help from a Dallas drunk driving lawyer with Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C..
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a crime in all fifty states, and the state of Texas takes it particularly seriously. You should never take any crime you’ve been charged with lightly, and DWI convictions can harm you for life—even misdemeanor crimes. It would be a mistake to brush off your DWI as a minor offense and sign the first plea deal offered you.
That DWI can ruin your job prospects and cause employers to pass you over for promotions. It can affect your finances today and your financial future tomorrow. There are many other negative effects of a DWI, but there’s only one real way to avoid them. You must fight your charge. Get help battling a conviction by working with a Dallas DWI lawyer.
What Is a DWI, and How Can It Affect Your Life?
A driving while intoxicated crime is when a person operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. You can be charged with a DWI offense any time that you drive after you’ve been drinking; however, if you’re under the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of .08, it will be more difficult for a Dallas prosecutor to convict you of this crime.
DWI convictions can greatly impact your life in a number of ways. There are the legal penalties, of course, which include jail or prison time, fines, probation, community service, and loss of your driver’s license. In some cases you may be required to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle, too.
In addition to the legal penalties, you can suffer many other negative ramifications of a DWI conviction.
- You could lose your job, especially if you have to drive for work. You could also struggle to secure decent employment for the rest of your life because of your conviction. Some jobs will even be denied to you.
- You could struggle financially because of the fines associated with your crime, as well as due to your inability to secure employment.
- Your family will suffer many of the effects that you will suffer. They will likely be embarrassed by your crime; they will deal with financial issues; they may have to take on the job of transporting you for a while, until you get your license back.
- You may not qualify for certain housing or government programs because of your conviction.
Don’t make the mistake of failing to take a DWI crime seriously. Your Dallas drunk driving attorney will work diligently to see that the prosecutor’s case is dropped or dismissed if at all possible.
Legal Penalties of a DWI Conviction in Dallas
Every DWI case is different, and every judge is different, so you won’t know exactly what your legal penalties will be until the day of sentencing; however, there are some basic penalties that are mandated by statute, depending on the drunk driving crime you’re charged with.
Your penalties will depend on several factors: how many prior DWI convictions you have, whether your BAC was over the legal limit, whether you injured or killed someone while driving under the influence of alcohol, and whether any children were in the vehicle while you were driving under the influence.
The following is a table that shows some of the penalties for DWIs in Dallas, Texas.
| Offense | Legal Penalties |
|---|---|
| First Offense DWI | Fine of up to $2,000; three to 180 days in jail; loss of license for up to one year; license retention fee of either $1,000 or $2,000 |
| Second Offense DWI | Fine of up to $4,000; one month to up to one year in jail; loss of license for up to two years; license retention fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 |
| Third or Subsequent Offense DWI | Fine of $10,000; between two and ten years in prison; loss of license for up to two years; license retention fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 |
| Intoxication Assault | Fine of $10,000; between two and ten years in prison; loss of license for up to two years; license retention fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 |
| DWI with Child Passenger | Fine of up to $10,000; up to two years in state jail; loss of license for 180 days; license retention fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 |
Possible Defenses against the Conviction of a Dallas DWI Offense
If you’ve been pulled over and charged with a DWI in Dallas, you might think that you have no chance of avoiding a conviction; after all, the officer believes you were driving intoxicated, and it’s their word against yours. The court will surely believe the officer over you, right? Actually, that’s not how the court system works.
If your case goes to trial, the jury must be convinced that you were driving while intoxicated. There can’t just be one piece of evidence, such as the police officer’s testimony. They won’t be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt, as the police officer could have been mistaken. The jury will want to see multiple pieces of evidence that prove you were driving while intoxicated.
There are defenses available, even if there was a lot of evidence in your case. For instance, the breathalyzer test could have been faulty. What if the field sobriety tests were inaccurate?
Your Dallas DWI attorney will investigate your drunk driving case, examine every possible angle, and find the flaws in the prosecution. Then, they will work to put together a case designed to help you to avoid conviction or at least lower your charge to a much lesser offense. Below, here are some of the defenses your attorney could use to try to make your DWI charge a thing of the past.
- The field sobriety tests were faulty in some way. For instance, there might have been uneven pavement or breathalyzers that weren’t properly calibrated.
- The laboratory that tested your blood made errors.
- You were stopped illegally.
- Your rights were violated during the arrest or search process.
- You are innocent and weren’t intoxicated while driving at all.
- Someone used your name, and this is a case of mistaken identity.
- You were drinking and driving, but you weren’t over the legal limit.
- You were in your car, but you did not intend to drive somewhere.
No matter what your situation is, you can bet that an attorney can improve it. Never sign that plea agreement, or talk to police officers about your case, without consulting first with a Dallas drunk driving lawyer.
Dallas DWI Lawyer FAQs
Arrested for a DWI? We know how scary and disorienting the situation can be. Review some of these frequently asked questions to get started, and reach out to a DWI attorney from our firm for personalized legal counsel.
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in Texas?
The cost of obtaining a lawyer in Dallas to fight your DWI arrest will depend on numerous factors, including the background of the lawyer you hire, the individual rates and fees associated with your attorney, and even the underlying facts of your case. Although obtaining an attorney is an expense that some would try to avoid, the reality is that the costs of a DWI conviction can be much higher.
Is jail time mandatory for a first DWI in Texas?
The state of Texas aggressively prosecutes DWIs, imposing strict criminal and civil penalties on those convicted. One of these penalties is a potential three-day stint in county jail, even for first-time offenders. Although it’s possible you could be granted probation, the possibility of going to jail is one of the most important reasons to seek out an attorney to help avoid conviction.
Is a DWI a felony in Texas?
This depends on your criminal record and whether you have prior DWI convictions. A baseline first-time DWI is usually a misdemeanor in the second degree. However, certain aggravating factors, such as driving under the influence with a minor below 15 years of age, can push this charge into felony territory.
Can a DWI be dismissed in Texas?
With the help of an attorney, you could get your DWI charge reduced or even dismissed completely. An attorney can review your case to ensure that all evidence was legally obtained and that your rights have been upheld. In some cases, you can even have a DWI charge dropped outright.
Arrested? Get Help from a DWI Lawyer in Dallas
A DWI arrest can change your life. Make sure your rights are protected—let an experienced Dallas DWI lawyer with Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. fight for you.
Call 214-984-3113 or fill out the below contact form for more information.
