A conviction for driving while intoxicated carries significant monetary fines, potential jail time, and a lengthy driver’s license suspension. An Austin DWI lawyer at Eddington Worley can help.
We protect your legal rights, fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed, and make the strongest possible case against the suspension of your driver’s license. Call 855-600-6695 today for a free consultation.
An Austin DWI Charge Carries the Risk of Substantial Penalties
Depending on whether you have a record and the circumstances of your arrest, you could face substantial jail time for a DWI conviction along with large fines and the suspension of your driver’s license.
For a first offense DWI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ranging between 0.08 and 0.149, the prosecutor will likely pursue a Class B misdemeanor charge.
Class B misdemeanor charges carry the following penalties:
- Up to six months in jail
- Up to $2,000 in fines
- Up to one year’s license suspension
If you had a BAC reading of 0.15 or above, you will face a Class A misdemeanor charge. You will also face a Class A misdemeanor if you have a prior DWI conviction on your record.
Class A misdemeanor charges carry the following penalties:
- Up to one year in jail
- Up to $4,000 in fines
- Up to two years’ license suspension
The prosecutor will likely pursue felony drunk driving charges if you have multiple prior convictions or if you caused a DWI accident. If you caused a DWI accident with property damage, injuries, or a fatality, you could face even more serious charges and penalties.
Third-degree felony charges carry the following penalties:
- Two to 10 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Up to two years’ license suspension
Second-degree felony charges carry the following penalties:
- Two to 20 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Up to two years’ license suspension
First-degree felony charges carry the following penalties:
- Up to 99 years prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Up to two years’ license suspension
Along with fines, jail or prison time, and license suspension, you also face these potential penalties:
- Supervised probation
- Community service
- Ignition interlock
- Mandatory substance abuse counseling or treatment
You must pay all court-imposed fines and fees and, to get your driver’s license back, you must pay up to $2,000 in surcharges per year for three years. Your conviction will also go on your record, potentially interfering with your ability to get a job, rent a home, hold professional licenses, or find affordable car insurance.
The prosecutor and the police do not have your best interests at heart. Instead, they want a conviction at all costs. They may offer you a deal that lets you avoid going to jail if you enter a guilty plea, but these deals usually still come with the remainder of the penalties in most cases.
Having an Austin DWI lawyer from Eddington Worley on your side ensures you understand the serious nature of your charges and allows you to explore your options.
Let an Austin DWI Lawyer from Eddington Worley Help With Your Case
A DWI lawyer from Eddington Worley can protect your legal rights and fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed. If necessary, our legal team can build the strongest possible case and represent you in court.
Our services to you include:
Investigating Your Case
The Eddington Worley legal team will obtain evidence and analyze the circumstances of your arrest.
Developing Drunk Driving Defense Strategies
We use our research to identify those criminal defense strategies we believe will be most effective for your defense.
Fighting for a Reduction or Dismissal of the Charges
Using any problems, errors, or legal rights violations we identify as leverage, we will negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or dismissed. If necessary, we can also pursue this outcome by filing motions in court.
Representing You at the License Suspension Hearing
In addition to representing you in all criminal court matters, we represent you at your driver’s license suspension hearing. This allows us to fight for you to keep your license and allows us to view the evidence that both the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the prosecutor have.
Throughout the process, our team will stand by you, fighting for your future and for the best possible results in your Austin DWI case.
Austin DWI & Drunk Driving Defense Strategies
Although our legal team will design your drunk driving defense strategies based on the details of your case, these are some of the potential strategies we may select:
Lack of Reasonable Suspicion
The police must have reasonable suspicion that you broke the law before stopping your car. If officers did not have reasonable suspicion, we can request to have any subsequent evidence they obtained declared inadmissible.
Lack of Probable Cause
The police typically use field sobriety testing or a portable breathalyzer to establish probable cause of your intoxication. If the officer failed to follow protocol or conduct the testing in accordance with published guidelines, we can argue that they did not have a legal basis on which to make an arrest.
Problems with BAC Testing
Breathalyzer technicians must have advanced training and carry specific certifications. They must maintain and calibrate testing equipment and follow protocols when administering the test. Any failure or deviation can cause an inaccurate reading.
Inaccurate BAC Test Results
Several factors can affect the accuracy of chemical test results for BAC. Some medications, foods, beverages, for example, can cause an inaccurate breathalyzer reading. A contaminated blood sample or a mix-up in the lab can also lead to a false positive test result.
Other Legal Rights Violations
If the police did not advise you of your legal rights both verbally and in writing, as required by the Texas statutes, we can challenge the legality of your arrest.
No matter what legal strategies we choose for your situation, we will build the strongest possible case and fight to establish reasonable doubt in court.
Free Austin DWI Case Review & Consultation
The Austin DWI lawyers at Eddington Worley understand the fear and confusion you feel. We will fight to obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
To learn more about how an Austin DWI lawyer can help you with your drunk driving defense, call 855-600-6695 now for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and case review.
