Upon conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Dallas, you face substantial monetary fines, suspension of your driver’s license, and potential jail time. You will also have a criminal record that can potentially affect your ability to obtain employment or hold a professional license.
Contact a Dallas DWI lawyer for help with your drunk driving defense. Eddington Worley offers a free consultation with a member of our legal team if you call 855-600-6695 now.
Penalties for a DWI Conviction in Dallas
The charges you face for drunk driving in Dallas will depend on the following factors:
- Any prior DWI convictions
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Applicable aggravating factors
If your BAC registered between 0.08 and 0.149, your first DWI will carry a Class B misdemeanor charge, with potential penalties as follows:
- Up to $2,000 in fines
- Up to six months in jail
- A potential one-year license suspension
If your BAC registered above 0.149, or if you have a prior DWI on your record, you will face a Class A misdemeanor charge, with potential penalties as follows:
- Up to $4,000 in fines
- Up to one year in jail
- A potential two-year license suspension
If you caused property damage, injuries, or a fatality, or if you had prior convictions and aggravating circumstances, you could face felony DWI charges. A third-degree felony, the least severe felony drunk driving charge, has potential penalties that include:
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Two to 10 years in prison
- A potential two-year license suspension
Upon conviction, you must pay court costs and fees and attend a mandatory alcohol safety education course. You will also face supervised probation, community service, installing an ignition interlock on all vehicles you drive, and court-ordered substance abuse treatment, counseling, or education, all of which are incurred at your expense.
To reinstate your license once the suspension period once, you must pay an annual surcharge as assessed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to maintain it in good standing. Depending on the severity of your DWI, your surcharge could be as high as $2,000 per year and must be paid for a total of three years.
You will also have a record, visible to any member of the public who runs a background check. Having a DWI on your record can potentially interfere with:
- Your ability to get a job
- Your ability to rent a house or apartment
- Your acceptance to colleges and universities
- Your ability to get student loans, grants, and scholarships
- Obtaining or keeping professional licensure
- Obtaining affordable car insurance
Given the scope of this potential impact on your life, you have many reasons to avoid a conviction whenever possible. A Dallas DWI lawyer can help you mount an effective drunk driving defense.
Let a Dallas DWI Lawyer Handle Your Drunk Driving Defense
The Dallas DWI lawyers at Eddington Worley will fight for your legal rights, your freedom, and your future. Even if you believe the prosecutor has overwhelming evidence in your case, they must still prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction.
Our primary goal is to get your charges reduced or dismissed before it becomes necessary to go to trial. If necessary, though, we will build the strongest possible drunk driving defense and make your case in court.
Our legal team will provide comprehensive legal services, including:
- Investigating your case and analyzing the evidence
- Developing comprehensive drunk driving defense strategies
- Negotiating with the prosecutor for a reduction or dismissal of charges
- Representing you in all criminal court matters
- Representing you at the driver’s license suspension hearing
The driver’s license suspension hearing provides our only chance to make a case for you to keep your license. If the judge rules for suspension, however, we can appeal that decision or petition for an occupational license that will allow you to drive to work or school and handle any necessary personal errands.
The driver’s license suspension hearing also provides our legal team with an opportunity to review the evidence in your case in advance of your criminal trial. This can help us build the strongest possible case in your defense.
Potential Dallas DWI & Drunk Driving Defense Strategies
Our legal team will determine the best drunk driving defense approach for your case. Some of the most effective strategies we employ include the following:
Challenging the Legality of BAC Testing
If the police failed to establish reasonable suspicion before making a DWI stop, or if the arresting officer failed to establish the probable cause of your intoxication before placing you under arrest, we can challenge the legality of BAC testing and the admissibility of the resulting evidence.
Challenging the Veracity of BAC Testing
If the lab or testing technician made any errors when conducting blood or breathalyzer testing, or if we can identify any problems with testing equipment, we can challenge the accuracy of the tests.
Challenging the Results of Breathalyzer Testing
Many things can cause an inaccurate breathalyzer test result, including mouthwash, medication, and some food or beverage products. These factors can allow us to challenge the results of BAC testing.
If the police violated your legal rights in any other way, such as not properly advising you of your rights verbally and in writing (as required in the statutes), this may also provide another potential challenge.
Free Consultation for Dallas DWI Cases
Before you speak to the police or investigators, take advantage of the free consultation and case review we offer at Eddington Worley.
Neither the prosecutor nor the police have your best interests in mind. Get a Dallas DWI lawyer to fight for you. We can answer your questions, explain the potential implications of a conviction, and help you choose the best option for you and your future. You do not have to face this battle alone.
Call us today at 855-600-6695 to learn more about how a Dallas DWI lawyer can help you.
