If you’re convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Richmond, Texas, you could face serious legal penalties and challenges in your personal and professional lives. Finding work may become harder, and your insurer may require you to pay higher premiums. However, as a Richmond resident, you have the right to a fair trial. During the legal process, you can fight your criminal charges and prove your innocence.
At Blass Law, we proudly provide legal representation to those who want comprehensive legal support. Call today to learn more about working with a Richmond criminal defense lawyer from our firm.
Why Choose a DWI Attorney Serving Richmond from Our Texas Firm?
Attorney Jay Blass Cohen is more than a lawyer; he’s a tireless advocate for people facing the criminal justice system, either for the first or subsequent time. He believes that everyone deserves legal representation. Don’t assume that the judge and jury will automatically find you guilty. You have rights under the law, and Jay intends to help you uphold them.
Consider the following benefits of entrusting your case to Blass Law:
We Understand DWI Cases
Attorney Jay Blass Cohen has several professional accreditations relevant to DWI cases, including:
- Certified Practitioner in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
- Certified as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
- ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer Scientist
- Trained in Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
He utilizes these accreditations during your case, looking for any violation of your rights that could warrant a case dismissal or an acquittal. He’ll review the field sobriety tests officers used, learn whether they had probable cause, and then create a tailor-made legal strategy.
We Understand What Methods Secure “Not Guilty” Verdicts
As a DWI law firm serving Richmond, we have several standard defenses we use during DWI cases, including:
- Proving that law enforcement administered the Breathalyzer test incorrectly.
- Arguing that you were pulled over without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.
- Challenging the validity of the prosecution’s evidence.
These are only a few examples. Every DWI case is different, and we are ready to fight for you every step of the way. As a law firm, our mantra is this: Keeping Innocent People Innocent®. We intend to uphold your legal rights and secure an outcome that puts your future first.
Blass Law Routinely Secures Positive Case Outcomes
Attorney Jay Blass Cohen has resolved cases that other DWI lawyers in Richmond were too afraid to take on. He relies on his specialized training, insights, and knowledge to secure fair outcomes. Take a look at some of his most recent case results:
- DWI misdemeanor – Not Guilty: This client was found asleep at the wheel of his vehicle. He failed field sobriety tests and had numerous drugs in his system. With our legal advocacy, he walked free.
- Second DWI offense – Not Guilty: This client was a lawyer and was pulled over because his headlights were out. He refused field sobriety tests after admitting to drinking. We argued his case in court, and he was found not guilty.
- DWI misdemeanor – Case Dismissal: Law enforcement pulled our client over because he exceeded the speed limit. He failed multiple field sobriety tests miserably and was arrested. We managed to have his case dismissed in the middle of the trial.
We’re constantly adding to our growing list of case results. Our criminal justice team hopes to add your case’s outcome to our list of successes.
For a legal consultation with a dwi lawyer serving Richmond, call (713) 225-1900
Our Richmond DWI Lawyer Handles Many DWI-Related Cases
The penalties associated with a DWI depend on the number of DWIs you’ve already been charged with that resulted in a conviction. Consider the following:
- First DWI offense: You could face up to $2,000 in fines, along with three days to 180 days in jail.
- Second DWI offense: You could face up to $4,000 in fines. You could also face from 30 days to 12 months in jail.
- Third DWI offense: You could face up to $10,000 in fines and between two to 10 years in prison. This is a felony conviction.
These penalties can be more severe if:
- There was an open container of alcohol in your vehicle at the time of your arrest.
- Your blood alcohol concentration when tested after the arrest was 0.15 or above.
- You were pulled over with someone younger than 15 years old in your vehicle.
If you’re over the age of 18, you can be convicted of a DWI in Richmond. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 for drivers over the age of 21 and 0.00 for drivers below the age of 21.
We Protect You from Charges that Accompany DWI Cases
Several more crimes in Richmond are relevant to DWI convictions, including:
- Endangering a child: As noted, driving drunk with a passenger under the age of 15 is a unique crime punishable by a state jail felony.
- Open container possession: Carrying an open alcoholic beverage in the passenger area of a vehicle is a Class C misdemeanor. Glove compartments and trunks do not qualify as passenger areas.
- Intoxication assault: Injuring another person while drunk driving is intoxication assault, a crime that warrants a third-degree felony.
- Intoxication manslaughter: Intoxication manslaughter is like intoxication assault, although it involves an accidental fatality. This crime is a second-degree felony.
Our Lawyer Combats the Collateral Consequences of a DWI Conviction
Remember: a DWI charge is not the same as a conviction. If you’ve been charged, you can still prove your innocence and avoid the negative fallout of a conviction.
However, you may face several challenges if you are ultimately convicted of a DWI:
- If a potential employer conducts a background check, your DWI conviction will appear. This could ultimately prevent you from maintaining gainful employment.
- Your friends and family may perceive you in a different, perhaps damaging, light.
- You could pay higher rates on your car insurance for several years after your conviction.
What’s more, Texas does not have a “lookback period” like other states. This means that getting arrested for a DWI in the future (even decades down the road) would count as a subsequent offense. This could increase the penalties you face and work to derail your plans for the future.
Richmond DWI Attorney (713) 225-1900
You Get Comprehensive Legal Support With Our Richmond DWI Lawyer
Our Richmond DWI attorney from Blass Law can provide you with the following services:
- Take your case to trial: We’re not afraid of going to trial. We see trials as an excellent opportunity to stand up for clients. During the trial, we can point out the issues in the state’s case, argue for your innocence, and challenge assumptions the prosecution makes.
- Negotiate the terms of your sentencing: Throughout your case, we can negotiate with prosecutors to work toward reducing your sentence duration. We can advise you to enter a plea if it makes sense for your unique case.
- Gather evidence: Evidence is vital in Richmond DWI cases. Our team can subpoena relevant parties and gather the details of your arrest.
- Listen to your side of the story: Blass Law is a judgment-free zone. We’ve heard it all. We will provide you with a confidential case evaluation and listen to your story.
There are many behind-the-scenes obligations your lawyer takes on, from managing case-related communications to handling clerical matters. After being arrested on suspicion of a DWI, we do everything possible to secure a “not guilty” verdict. We invite you to call Blass Law now to learn more.
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Questions We Get from DWI Defendants in Richmond
You should never assume anything about your rights, legal options, and next steps after a DWI arrest. Even an honest mistake could jeopardize your future and result in time behind bars. So, we’ve compiled three questions that we’ve received from others in situations like yours. They include:
How does Law Enforcement Determine if You’re Drunk?
Law enforcement uses several techniques to make DWI arrests, including:
- Examining behavior: A person’s behavior after being pulled over can indicate if they are drunk or under the influence of drugs. Bloodshot eyes, fumbling with keys, and disorganized speech are all clues that police look for.
- Using field sobriety tests: In addition to examining behavior, officers will conduct various field sobriety tests. One field sobriety test involves asking the driver to follow a small object, like a pen, with their eyes. If the driver’s eyes jerk involuntarily during this test, officers believe they’re likely drunk.
- Employing breathalyzer tests: Breathalyzer tests are the most straightforward way to determine whether an individual has been drinking. When it comes to measuring a specific alcohol concentration, they aren’t the most accurate. However, if law enforcement administers these tests incorrectly or uses a faulty device, they can produce inaccurate results.
Can I Appeal a DWI Conviction?
While you can appeal a DWI conviction, it’s generally a good idea to avoid getting convicted in the first place. The appeals process can take months, and there are many processes that go into just having your case re-heard. Your team intends to create a winning strategy that yields a “not guilty” verdict, so you can leave this unfortunate period in the past.
How Soon Can a Richmond DWI Lawyer Get to Work?
Our law firm springs into action from the moment you retain our services. That way, we can present a well-researched case that paints you in a good light.
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Start Fighting Your Richmond DWI Charges Today
Call Blass Law today for a confidential initial consultation today. You don’t need to face your charges alone. Our Richmond DWI lawyer can walk you through your options and help you take your next steps. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can start working on your case.
Call or text (713) 225-1900 or complete a Case Evaluation form
