Driving while intoxicated (DWI) cases can be complicated. The arresting police officer only needs to think you’re driving under the influence to make an arrest. Consequently, many innocent people face serious criminal charges in the Texas criminal justice system.
If you were arrested for drinking and driving, a Sugar Land DWI lawyer will defend you, help you navigate the case, and fight for a dismissal or acquittal. Our law firm offers confidential case evaluations to help you explore your options while providing an aggressive defense.
How Our Sugar Land DWI Lawyers Can Help You
Your DWI attorney can guide you through your case by helping you navigate legal matters and trying to seek the best possible outcome for you, taking into account all of the important things in your life.
Helping DWI Defendants With Legal Matters
DWI cases are usually not cut and dry, and they vary from case to case. In addition to a DWI charge, you may face other accusations, including:
- Intoxication assault
- Intoxication manslaughter
- DWI with a child passenger
- Boating while intoxicated
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Unlawful carrying of a weapon
Each of these crimes comes with additional heavy fines and extensive jail time. After reviewing your situation, your Sugar Land DWI attorney will build and implement a strategy to uphold your legal rights.
Seeking the Best Possible Outcome for Your DWI Case
DWI lawyers are firm believers in the presumption of innocence and remind everyone they are innocent unless proven guilty. Skilled DWI defense teams like ours do everything they can to get your charges dropped, reduced, or dismissed. Even if you think your case seems hopeless, your attorney will fight for a just outcome by:
- Challenging the officer’s probable cause for the initial detention
- Challenging the arresting police officer’s observations
- Challenging the validity of a breath or blood sample
- Preserving and presenting evidence to counter the prosecution’s argument
- Trying your case to a jury
Depending on your situation, an attorney could fight for a lesser charge with fewer fines and jail time. For instance, your criminal defense attorney could negotiate a lesser charge like reckless driving in Fort Bend county. They could also ask for probation, which could help you avoid jail time altogether.
Getting Your License Back After a DWI
Your license is usually suspended after being arrested for a DWI if an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing isn’t requested. If you miss the deadline to request a hearing for your license, the only way to reverse that suspension is by getting a not-guilty verdict in the DWI case. This will automatically get your license back.
To prevent your license from being suspended, you must request an ALR hearing within 15 days after the arrest. If you handle your hearing on your own, chances are it will go poorly, and you will be without a license for a long period.
For a legal consultation with a dwi lawyer serving Sugar Land, call 713-225-1900
What Our Sugar Land DWI Lawyers Could Do for You
Because you’re allowed to represent yourself, you may wonder whether you’re better off handling your own criminal case. However, as you likely know, Texas does not take DWI crimes lightly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that Texas has a higher-than-average alcohol-impaired driving rate. Officials know this and want to do everything possible to reduce the rate. This involves imposing stiff penalties on DWI defendants with fines nearing $10,000, depending on the offense.
Sugar Land DWI Attorney 713-225-1900
Possible Consequences of a Sugar Land, TX, DWI Conviction
Prison time and fines aside, a DWI conviction can upend your life. You may find it hard to retain employment or apply for housing. Additionally, your conviction will come up on most background checks, tarnishing your reputation.
Per the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), impaired driving penalties include:
First Offense
If this is your first DWI offense, you may face the following:
- Fines up to $2,000
- Up to 180 days in jail with a mandatory three-day sentence
- License suspension of 90 days up to one year
- Additional fines of up to $3,000
Second Offense
If this is your second DWI offense, you may face the following:
- Fines up to $4,000
- One month to a year in jail
- License suspension of 180 days up to two years
- Additional fines of up to $6,000
Third or Subsequent Offenders
For the third or subsequent offense, you could face a felony conviction. The sentence could include the following:
- Fines up to $10,000
- Two to ten years in the Texas Department of Corrections
- License suspension of 180 days up to two years
Additional Offenses Could Add on Extra Penalties
Additional charges could mean additional jail time or fines. This could include having an open container of alcohol in your vehicle or a BAC test of 0.15 or higher. Felony charges are possible as well if you’re accused of:
- Child endangerment. If intoxicated and driving as a minor, you could face a felony conviction, per Texas Penal Code § 22.041(c).
- Intoxication assault. If you were intoxicated and severely injured someone in an accident, you could face two to 10 years in prison.
- Intoxication manslaughter. If your intoxication caused a fatal accident, you could face two to 20 years in prison.
These are just a few examples of charges you could face in addition to a DWI.
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What to Do if Suspected of Driving While Intoxicated
When detained and pulled out of the vehicle for a suspected DWI, you take the necessary steps to aid your case. Be respectful and obey police directions, but remember you have rights; use them, the most important being denying a field sobriety test and remaining silent. Do not answer questions that might incriminate you or take a field sobriety test, as it’s subjective.
However, if you refuse a breath test, the officer will likely get a search warrant to stick a needle in your arm and take blood. If an officer has a search warrant for blood, you must comply. Failing to do so could result in additional charges.
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How Our Team of Experts Can Defend Your Rights in a DWI Case
Our founder, Jay Blass Cohen, has spent his entire career as a criminal defense lawyer. He has not worked in the prosecutor’s office or served as a judge who works to put people behind bars. Instead, he has always been on the People’s side.
Attorney Cohen is a certified practitioner and instructor of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. He knows an improperly-conducted test when he sees one and can use this information to fight for an acquittal. He is also an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist and has the knowledge to challenge the State’s forensic experts.
Some of our successful case results include the following:
A Not Guilty Verdict for a Repeat DWI Offender
Law enforcement pulled over our client, who was driving with one headlight. During the stop, the officer decided our client was driving while intoxicated.
Not only was this our client’s second DWI offense, but he was also a lawyer. We were able to secure a not-guilty verdict at trial.
A Dismissal for a Speeding Driver
Our client was pulled over for going 15 miles over the posted speed limit. He failed all sobriety tests and was belligerent with the arresting officer. We were able to get the State to dismiss the case.
A Not Guilty Verdict for Alcohol and Drug-Related Offenses
Police found our client sleeping in his car in the middle of the road. He failed all field sobriety tests, and a blood test revealed he was on multiple prescription drugs. We secured a not-guilty verdict in Harris County court.
Connect With Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Today to Discuss Your DWI Charge
Blass Law offers confidential case evaluations to DWI defendants. During your initial consultation, we will discuss the details of your arrest, your criminal history, and other relevant information.
Remember, being charged with a crime does not automatically make you guilty. Your case isn’t over until the judge or jury renders a verdict. The passion and legal experience of our team of experts may be able to help you to keep a clean record. Contact us today for legal advice and to schedule your free consultation.
Call or text 713-225-1900 or complete a Case Evaluation form
