What Should I Do if Asked to Take a Field Sobriety Test?
We can all agree that mistakes are inevitable; however, the repercussions of specific errors are far more severe than others. If you’ve been arrested on a DWI charge in Dallas, TX, you should know that the state and local authorities treat this crime very seriously. Drunk driving is a serious crime that puts you and the lives of others in danger and may land you in jail. Continue reading and contact a knowledgeable and skilled Dallas DWI lawyer from Spanger Law for a free initial consultation today.
Statistics show that Texas is one of the top five states having the highest number of drunk driving accidents. In Texas, 25,261 drunk-driving accidents occurred in 2021, resulting in 1,029 fatalities (one fatality every 8.5 hours) and 2,522 cases of personal injury.
These statistics justify why DWI is taken seriously in the Lone Star State. The penalties for violating Texas’ DWI laws, upon conviction, can result in hefty fines, incarceration, loss of your driver’s or occupational license, higher auto insurance costs, and restrictions on your freedom and personal life.
Although it isn’t compulsory to have a law firm represent you, If you are arrested and charged with DWI in Dallas, TX, It is advisable to hire a Dallas County criminal defense lawyer. A criminal defense attorney will investigate the prosecution’s case for inconsistencies to refute the allegations in DWI cases. Your DUI lawyer can also employ the following tactics in your defense, some of which have shown promise in similar circumstances:
Driving under the influence DUI or DWI (driving while intoxicated) in Texas refers to the illegal operation of a motor vehicle in public while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While “DUI” is more popular, the legal term for this offense in Texas is Dallas DWI.
Over 21-year-olds who drive with a blood alcohol level above .08 may be arrested for driving under the influence. However, a DWI arrest can be made if a driver under 21 has any detectable alcohol in their system.
DWI charges in Dallas County are based on a person’s breath or (B.A.C.) blood alcohol concentration at the time of the arrest. The blood alcohol concentration (B.A.C.) of an individual, as measured by a breath or blood test, can be affected by several factors, including their weight, the amount and types of beverages consumed, or even their gender.
Legal cutoffs for blood alcohol content in Texas are as follows:
Penalties for driving while intoxicated in Texas are severe and based on prior convictions and other aggravating factors surrounding the charge.
However, it is also worth noting that there is no look-back period for driving while intoxicated in Texas, which means that any conviction stays on your record and will not be expunged.
The penalties for DWI are classified as follows:
Penalty for First DWI Offense
Penalties for a Second DWI Offense
Penalties for a Third and Subsequent DWI Offense:
There is no doubt that a skilled attorney costs money, but it is nothing compared to the cost of a DUI. DWI lawyer costs vary greatly depending on your lawyer and the facts of your case. In addition to whether your case goes to trial or not, other complications will also have an effect on how much your attorney will charge you.
Contact our attorneys at Spangler Law to schedule a consultation for a more accurate fee estimate.
To request a hearing on your driver’s license, you must do so within 15 days after the date of your arrest. You might lose your license and pay steep fines if you don’t ask for a hearing.
During this hearing, it is vital that you retain legal counsel to contest the suspension of your driver’s license. Having a DWI attorney present at this hearing will allow him to ask the arresting officer questions.
Due to the complexity and severity of DWI penalties, it is crucial that you consider the experience of your DWI attorney when choosing legal counsel. When arrested for DWI, a competent lawyer knows that it is preferable to either have the case dismissed or negotiate a plea to a lesser charge since a conviction for DWI cannot be reversed.
Ultimately, the outcome of your DWI case depends on whether a certified criminal law professional handles it. Contact the skilled Dallas DWI lawyers here at Spangler Law today so we can get started working on your case. Our firm proudly represents clients in Dallas and throughout the state of Texas, including in Rockwall County, Collin County, Tarrant County, Denton County, and much more.
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