Helping People Fight DWI Charges
Providing Experienced Criminal Defense to Individuals in the Houston Area
A drunk driving charge — known in Texas as DWI but also commonly referred to as DUI — can have multiple serious consequences, including jail time, driver's license suspension and a criminal record and mandatory fines levied by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
I have handled many DWI/DUI cases in the Houston area and understand the process and the factors that go into deciding whether to take a case to trial. Contact me for a free initial consultation with a lawyer who will work to ensure that your rights are protected.
By Your Side Throughout a Complex Process
One of the first questions I hear from my DWI clients is "What is going to happen to me?” There are many considerations to be aware of if you are charged with DWI.
- If this is your first DWI, it is a Class B misdemeanor. The range of punishment is up to a $2,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail. However, probation is always a possibility.
- A second DWI it is a Class A misdemeanor. The range of punishment is up to a $4,000 fine and up to 1 year in jail. Even if you had your first DWI many years ago, it will still be counted against you.
- The third DWI is a Third Degree Felony. You may face up to a $10,000 fine and between 2-10 years in prison.
Once you have been convicted of a DWI, this charge will stay on your record for the rest of your life. There can never be an expungement or an order of non-disclosure.
If you have a commercial driver's license, then this may mean the end of your employment.
Clients must also be made aware that not only must they contend with the possible conviction and punishment from the prosecution and the court, they must also contend with the fines levied by the Department of Public Services (DPS). These fines range from $1,000 for a DWI 1st up to $3000 for a third DWI offense. Such fines must be paid yearly for three years.
License suspension is another consideration that clients must face.
Within 15 days of your DWI arrest, you have the right to apply for an administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing. This is separate from your criminal trial, but it is possible at an ALR hearing to challenge whether the police had probable cause to stop you.
In any case license suspension may range from 3 months up to 1 year. An occupational license may be obtained for a first DWI. Unfortunately, if convicted of a second DWI or higher you may not be so fortunate.
There are often things that can be done at each of these stages to avoid conviction or reduce consequences. Contact me to get the help of an experienced DWI/DUI attorney throughout the process.
Challenging the Evidence Against You
An important part of any DWI/DUI case is determining whether the evidence is sufficient for conviction. I am certified in giving Standard Field Sobriety tests by NHTSA, so I can review the police administration of these tests, making note of any mistakes and assessing the quality of the video that will be used as evidence against you.
I also fully understand the complex legal standards for intoxication and can pinpoint subtle differences between what the police say about your intoxication level versus what the evidence says in conjunction with the law governing your case.
