Brought to you by Colorado DUI Drunk Driving Defense

Search for Texas DWI Attorneys by County.

Bedford DWI Lawyers

• Willet Law Office: DWI/Driving While Intoxicated: A DWI occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DWI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit.  Plus, a DWI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities. However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DWI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DWI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DWI offense within 10 years of the new charge.
• Harris Hughey: aggressively challenge issues, such as: € Validity of field sobriety tests € Training of the officer to conduct field sobriety tests € Accuracy of breathalyzer tests € Lack of probable cause for the stop € Failure to advise you of your rights
• Jack Byno: A simple traffic citation can have significant consequences.
• David Cook: If convicted of a drunk driving-related offense in Texas, you may pay some pretty steep prices, including: court costs, fines, attorneys' fees, higher insurance rates, license suspension, drivers' license surcharges, and jail time.
• Paul Rothband: If You Are Stopped for DWI:

  When a law enforcement officer wants to stop a driver for suspicion of driving drunk and asks a driver to take a roadside sobriety test, a Breathalyzer test, or a blood test to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the law requires that he or she have reasonable cause for that suspicion. 

  As soon as possible, contact a DWI attorney. Then, write down everything you remember about the events surrounding the arrest and discuss those events only with your lawyer.

  Driving Under the Influence (DUI) vs. DWI:

  DWI is the criminal charge for a person over 21 years of age driving with a BAC of .08 or more, with enhanced penalties for DWI when that person’s BAC is over .16. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges are pressed when a driver under age 21 has any measurable level of alcohol in his or her blood – this is called the “Not a Drop” or “Zero Tolerance Law.”

  Penalties for DUI / DWI Convictions:

  DWI is a Class B Misdemeanor in Texas, with penalties of up to 6 months in jail and a $2,000 fine. A second conviction is a Class A Misdemeanor with penalties of up to $4,000 fine and a year in jail. Your third conviction for DWI in Texas is a third-degree felony, with the possibility of going to prison for anywhere between 2 to 10 years and up to a $10,000 fine. 

  All DWI convictions involve the possibility of drivers’ license suspension.

  What Can an Attorney Do after a DUI or DWI Arrest?

  Even if you failed a breath test, you should still contact a criminal defense attorney. In some cases, an attorney may be able to demonstrate that the Breathalyzer equipment was not properly calibrated, that the police officer administering the test was not properly trained, or show in some other way that you were not intoxicated. 

  A DUI/DWI attorney may be able to help you get your driving privileges back as quickly as possible, make sure that any evidence to be used against you was collected legally, and work to get the lightest sentence possible in your case.

  Other Texas Intoxication Offenses:

  In addition to alcohol-related DWI and DUI charges, I provide defense for clients charged with other drug and alcohol-related offenses in Texas, such as driving while under the influence of drugs, intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, flying while intoxicated, and drug offenses such as possession, distribution, sale, cultivation, manufacturing, or trafficking of illegal substances such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, meth, or illegally obtained prescription drugs. 

• Basil Hoyl: When given probation for DWI, often the first thing to happen is a test of your life circumstances so the probation officer can determine how many programs you must attend.
• David Cook: DUI / DWI - Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is an increasingly common social problem in today's world. Throughout Texas and in all other jurisdictions across the United States, it is considered a serious offense and can lead to severe criminal penalties, including heavy fines, loss of driving privileges, and incarceration. The authorities in many states are currently cracking down on DUI offenses by reducing the blood alcohol content level at which a person can legally operate a motor vehicle. However, knowledgeable legal counsel can help you avoid hefty fines, license suspensions, or large insurance increases.