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Fort Worth DWI Lawyers

1. 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 personŐs 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 Đ this is called the ŇNot a DropÓ or ŇZero Tolerance Law.Ó

   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 driversŐ 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. 

2. Trimber, George: It has been a long time since a drunk driving charge in Texas could be treated like a traffic ticket. Today, enforcement and prosecution are aggressive all over the state Ń and consequences can be severe, even for a basic first offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Dealing with the aftermath and consequences of a DWI arrest on your own is a major risk. If you are accused of a drug crime Ń or if you are seeking counsel for a loved one Ń you probably already know the situation is serious.
3. Henderson, Richard: # Did the officer have sufficient cause to stop your vehicle? # Did the officer properly calibrate the Breathalyzer machine? # Did the officer make a lawful arrest supported by sufficient cause
4. Fulgham Law Firm: If you have been arrested on DWI charges in or around Fort Worth, itŐs important to take your situation seriously and contact an experienced DWI defense attorney as soon as possible. Texas has very strict laws in regards to DWI, and prosecutors and law enforcement officers will not hesitate to seek the toughest penalties possible. Working with a Fort Worth DWI lawyer from the earliest stages of your case is the best way to ensure that your rights will be protected, and that someone with experience, knowledge, and skill in Texas DWI law will be by your side to fight your charges. Texas DWI Law Under Texas Law, it is illegal for a person to drive or operate a vehicle if their blood alcohol concentration is .08 or higher. A person will also be arrested on DWI charges if an officer believes his or her mental or physical faculties are too impaired, making it unsafe for that person to drive operate a vehicle. At this point, a driverŐs ability to safely operate a vehicle has been compromised, increasing his or her chances of causing a serious or fatal accident. For drivers under the age of 21, it is unlawful to drive a vehicle with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Texas has a very strict zero-tolerance policy about underage drinking and driving, and a violation of this policy by a minor will lead to an arrest and criminal charges. License Suspension Hearing v. Criminal Case Once a person has been arrested for DWI, his or her driverŐs license will be suspended. The driver then has 15 days to schedule an administrative hearing with the Department of Public Safety to contest the suspension of their driverŐs license. This hearing is a separate legal process from the criminal case, and will have no bearing on the verdict or outcome of the criminal case. The hearing is conducted for the sole purpose of determining whether a personŐs license will remain suspended or if it will be given back to the driver. The criminal case involves the driver entering a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If the driver pleads not guilty, the case will move to trial unless the attorneys can agree to a plea bargain, in which case the driver will likely agree to plead guilty in exchange for reduced penalties. If the case moves to trial, the verdict will be left up to a jury to decide. Penalties for DWI If an individual is ultimately convicted of DWI charges, he or she can expect to face the following penalties based on their prior criminal history: First DWI Offense: * Up to a $2,000 fine * 72 hours to 180 days in jail * DriverŐs license suspension: 90 days to 1 year * Community service Second DWI Offense: * Up to a $4,000 * 30 days to 1 year in jail * DriverŐs license suspension: 180 days to 2 years * Community service Third DWI Offense: * Up to a $10,000 fine * 2 to 10 years in a state penitentiary * DriverŐs license suspension: 180 days to 2 years * Community service Underage DWI Offense: * Up to a $500 fine * DriverŐs license suspension: 30 days * Community service * Mandatory attendance at alcohol-awareness classes Contact a Fort Worth DWI Lawyer By contacting Fort Worth DWI attorney Brandon Fulgham, you will significantly increase your chances of winning your case and walking away with a clear record. Mr. Fulgham is very skilled and knowledgeable in DWI defense, and has been very successful at getting his clientsŐ DWI charges reduced to a lesser offense or dismissed completely. You can depend on Mr. Fulgham to vigorously fight to protect your rights, and to work hard to make sure your charges do not escalate into a conviction.
5. Scott, Mark: The laws surrounding a DWI/DUI charge in Texas are complex. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, the most important thing you can do is to hire a knowledgeable lawyer to represent you.
6. Robin McCarty: DWI...... HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED FOR THE OFFENSE OF DRIVING  WHILE INTOXICATED? YOU NEED EXPERIENCED, AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION!
7. Jim Lollar: A traffic ticket received in Fort Worth can have serious consequences. While most traffic tickets are just "violations" under Texas law, many people don't understand that some traffic ticket violations are actually criminal charges such as driving a vehicle while your license was suspended. A suspension can happen when you have several minor tickets or just one very serious ticket. Many motorists have their license suspended simply because they failed to respond to the traffic ticket court date and don't know what to do when it becomes a problem years later.
8. Colby Wooten: Most DUI convictions carry a penalty of a jail sentence. It may be a comfort to know, however, that each county offers different options where punishment is concerned.
9. Mimi Coffey: The Intoxilyzer 5000 assumes that everyone has the same blood breath partition ratio, hematocrit ratio and assumes that all samples are at an air temperature of 93.2 F. Texas does not utilize any methods which would allow for a retest of samples given. The computer software is proprietary and is not available to scientific peer review. There are many things which have been shown to affect a breath test score. These machines are generally not available for inspections by anyone outside of law enforcement. Texas does not allow for non-law enforcement or government personnel to become certified as breath test technical operators. Much of the Texas breath program remains limited to outsiders despite a generally assumed belief that these machines have undergone and passed wide general scientific review.
10. Larry Dassow: The accused's first appearance after the indictment is called an arraignment. The first appearance in a misdemeanor case may also be called the arraignment. Unless formal arraignment is waived, the judge will verify the identity of the accused and ask for his plea. The judge may also appoint counsel at this time.
11. Carol Kerr: If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, the importance of having legal representation cannot be overstated. While over zealous prosecutors are working hard to build their case against you, you deserve to have an experienced and aggressive attorney working just as hard to preserve and protect your constitutional rights.
12. Leticia Vigil: DWI/DUI means "driving while intoxicated" or "driving while under the influence" and refers to the crime of drunk driving. This crime usually includes driving while abusing drugs and the operation of other kinds of motorized vehicles, such as boats. Drunk driving is defined by each state's criminal code.
13. Bates Law Firm: Legal problems usually involve financial and emotional issues that can be a stressful, frustrating, and intimidating experience for non-lawyers. You need an experienced and skillful attorney to represent you throughout that process and to truly care about you and your particular legal problem.
14. Canas & Flores: If you are convicted of drunk driving, you face fines and potential jail time. If your driving privileges are revoked or suspended, your ability to earn a living may be compromised. In order to obtain the best possible result, hire an attorney who knows how to handle DUI cases through experience and a successful track record.
15. Greg Westfall: Getting a DWI is serious! You need to take it seriously. So should your lawyer. Even a conviction for a first-time DWI can carry serious consequences, not the least of which is $1,000 or more per year for three years just to keep your driver's license. If you are like the vast majority of those who get arrested for DWI, this is the ONLY way that you would ever have come into contact with the criminal justice system. Only because DWI laws exist do many people who would never dream of breaking the law find themselves arrested, photographed, fingerprinted, and generally 'treated like criminals.' This IS serious business. And once you have posted your bond, the whole process is really just beginning.
16. Leigh Davis: A first DWI is a class B misdemeanor. The range of punishment is 3-180 days in the County Jail and fine of up to $2,000. A second DWI is a class A misdemeanor. The range of punishment is 3-365 days in the County Jail and fine of up to $4,000. The minimum punishment for a first or second DWI involving an open container of alcohol is six (6) days in the County Jail.
17. Gary Medlin: In most states, it's illegal to drive a car while "impaired" by the effects of alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs). This means that there must be enough alcohol or drugs in the driver's body to prevent him from thinking clearly or driving safely. Many people reach this level well before they'd be considered "drunk" or "stoned."
18. Mac Matson: Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving under the influence. A conviction on DUI/DWI charges may result in fines, the revocation or suspension of your driver's license, and possible jail time. In addition, your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult case.
19. Evans, Daniel, Moore & Evans: In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An experienced attorney with the skills and practical knowledge in these types of cases is best equipped to handle cross-examination and increase the odds of successfully defending the charges against you.
20. Samantha Hill: DWI cases are unique in the criminal justice system and require skilled, experienced and knowledgeable counsel. A charge of DWI can have serious ramifications on a defendant's driver's license, criminal record and ability to function in society. The right attorney can make a difference.