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Houston DWI Lawyers

1. Tyson, George: Misdemeanor & Felony DWI Each US state has its own set of drunk-driving laws, but there are certain concepts and features common to most states' drunk-driving jurisprudence. Basically, as we all know, it is illegal and a crime for a person to operate a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs to a degree that impairs his or her ability to drive safely. Both criminal and civil penalties for drunk driving can be harsh and often include loss or suspension of license, large fines, treatment, jail or prison time, community service, restitution, and a criminal record.
2. Peebles Law Firm: Have you been arrested for DWI, DUI, or another alcohol-related offense in Houston, Harris County, or surrounding areas in south Texas? If so, you know that your overall mobility, ability to get to your job each day, and access to your family are at stake. A first DWI offense is considered a class B misdemeanor, a second amounts to a class A, and the third offense is a felony punishable by fines and a prison sentence. Intoxication crimes resulting in bodily injury or death are subject to even harsher punishments.
3. Westbrook Firm: HOUSTON DWI OVERVIEW Scattered across the Texas roadways are signs that read ÒDWI Ð You CanÕt Afford It.Ó These signs are exactly right. Because of the numerous fatalities associated with drunk driving, Texas has created one of the strictest laws in the country for driving while intoxicated, or DWI. If you are convicted for DWI, you may lose your license, go to jail, be forced to attend numerous Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, and receive up to three years of extensive fines and Texas DPS surcharges. You canÕt afford these significant penalties. More importantly, you canÕt afford to hire an inexperienced attorney.
4. Perry, Reid: Family Law * Divorces - Contested or Uncontested o Including Collaborative Divorces/Modifications * Modification of Prior Orders * Enforcements and Enforcement Defense * Adoptions * Termination of Rights * Grandparent's Rights * Pre- and Post Marital Agreements * Partitions Wills and Probate * Simple and Complex Will Packages * Administration of Estates * Will Probate * Intestate Probate Criminal Defense * Assaults * Drug and Alcohol * Theft * DUI/DWI * Expunctions and Non-Disclosures Civil Matters * Landlord/Tenant Disputes * Collections * Personal Injury
5. Kantine & Nechman: When facing serious criminal charges, you should assert your right to consult a criminal defense lawyer. Your attorney may be the only person standing between you and a conviction. Texas laws governing drug and DWI offenses are constantly in flux. The way the state prosecutes drug and DWI cases seems to change with nearly every legislation session.
6. Laird Valdez: If you have been accused of a crime, you may feel as though you don't have anyone on your side. You may be worried about what will happen to your reputation, your property, your career, or your family. You need an attorney who can help you protect your rights.
7. Lewis, Chip: Many drivers in the US are arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs every day. The negative consequences of drunk driving have recently increased, largely in response to public outcry and the influence of groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). If you find yourself arrested for illegal drunk driving, an attorney with experience defending drunk-driving cases can help protect your rights. A drunk driving arrest is not a minor slip-up, however rare or unintended the incident. It is a serious legal issue that will follow you forever if you are convicted of drunk driving charges. In their zeal to promote traffic safety on our streets and highways, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and other activists have helped create a set of laws that are so punitive that one extra drink before your drive home from a wedding, party or restaurant may become a life-altering event. Why not just plead guilty and get it over with if you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated? Contact Chip B. Lewis LLC in Houston, Texas, to schedule a free initial consultation. Discuss the many consequences that you could face, such as: * Fines * Increased car insurance rates or canceled insurance * A marred driving record * A criminal record * Impeded freedom to drive to work * Possible loss of your career if you drive for a living (as a truck driver, a lawyer, a police officer, an FBI agent, a DEA agent, a member of our armed forces, a real estate agent or any other job that puts you behind the wheel as part of your occupation) * Loss of your commercial trucking license * Future career limitations * Overseas travel impediments * Jail time * Probation and the extra scrutiny and care of your daily activities that comes along with it Conviction Now, Complications Later Many people learn too late of the unexpected consequences brought about by a drunk driving conviction, such as complications in an adoption or difficulty in passing a background check while renting or applying for a job. No one knows what life holds in the future, but one thing is for certain: A drunk driving conviction can and will be a roadblock. It is worthwhile to take even a first offense very seriously and make every effort to obtain an acquittal or reduction of charges. Keys to a successful DWI/DUI defense are often revealed by examination of the following circumstances: * The traffic stop: Was there probable cause? * The breath test: Was the suspect fully informed of legal rights? * Field sobriety tests: Was the "walk the line" test properly conducted and are the results valid?
8. Overstreet, Todd: If youÕve been arrested for drunk driving, you may think the easiest thing to do is plead guilty, get it over with and move on. But the ramifications of a DUI/DWI guilty plea or conviction are far-reaching. Your driverÕs license (jump to license text below)and your freedom are in jeopardy A first-offense DUI conviction can result in up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. A second offense can get you up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Third and subsequent offenses can land you in prison for up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine. Under recent changes to Texas DUI laws, a DUI conviction from 20 or even 30 years ago is still considered your first offense, and you automatically face second-offense penalties. And, of course your license could be suspended for 90 days to two years under any of these offenses. With penalties so severe, can you afford not to fight the charges?
9. Mullen, Brandon: DWI and its Punishment Ranges DWI charges are prosecuted with a high level of intensity and reliance on questionable evidence. Despite claims that the science behind Field Sobriety Tests and BAC calculations are objective and accurate, most DWI arrests are based on subjective evidence. The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is considered by law enforcement agencies as an objective measure used to gauge an individual's level of intoxication. But unlike most scientific tests that are conducted under strict controls in laboratories, Field Sobriety Tests are often conducted on the side of the road or in a parking lot. In addition, the directions the officer communicates to the suspect must be both precise and understood. If there is any miscommunication, then the observed results may not be accurate. Driving While Intoxicated cases must be defended aggressively. When you choose an attorney make sure that attorney has understands the all the tests used to prosecute a DWI cases. You need an attorney who also understands police training and breathalyzer calibration. Contact us immediately, if you've been arrested for DWI. We've included a brief breakdown of the classifications and punishment ranges for DWI convictions and some of the additional consequences. DWI Ð First Offense Is a class B misdemeanor with a punishment range of 72 hours to one hundred eighty days in the county jail. Generally, people will be eligible for community supervision (probation) on a first conviction. DWI Ð Second Offense A second DWI is a class A misdemeanor that is punishable by 30 days to one year in the county jail and up to a $4,000 fine. Most District Attorney offices require mandatory jail time for a second offense DWI. DWI Ð Third Offense or Higher A third arrest for DWI is classified as a third degree felony that carries not less than two nor more than ten years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. DWI with an open container of alcohol Ð First Offense This is a Class A misdemeanor as well, the only difference in punishment between this charge and a DWI -first offense is that here the minimum is six days. DWI with an accident causing serious bodily injury caused by the intoxication If someone is injured or killed during an accident and you're accused of DWI, then you could be charged with Intoxicated Assault or Intoxicated Manslaughter. Intoxicated Assault is a third degree felony punishable by not less than two nor more than ten years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Intoxicated manslaughter is a second degree felony with a punishment range of two to twenty years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. DWI with a child passenger If there is a child passenger in the car and you are arrested for DWI, then the offense is a state jail felony offense with a punishment range of one hundred eighty days to two years in a state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine. It does not matter if it is your first arrest. Why Driving While Intoxicated convictions are becoming even more expensive. In 2003, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring people convicted of driving while intoxicated to pay an annual surcharge on their driver's license for the first thirty six months following their conviction. The surcharge schedule is as follows: Ð $1000 per year for a first driving while intoxicated conviction Ð $1,500 per year for a second or subsequent driving while intoxicated conviction within thirty six months of a previous conviction. Ð $2,000 per year if it is shown at trial that the person's breath, blood or urine concentration was 0.16 or more at the time the analysis was performed. All of these fees are in addition to your attorney's fees, community service fees, fines, court costs, Ignition Interlock devices, DWI classes and substance abuse education. DWI's are not cheap. A good attorney could end up saving you money in the end.