Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense. Those convicted of driving while intoxicated in the state of Texas face steep penalties, even if they are first time offenders. Up to 180 days of jail time and fines of up to 2,000 can be levied against offenders, and licenses will be suspended for up to a year upon first time conviction. These penalties increase with each offense.
Those facing charges should make finding a DWI lawyer their first priority. Having a dedicated lawyer with experience defending clients against these charges will greatly improve a defendant’s chances in the courtroom. And time is of the essence for those who don’t want to see their licenses suspended. Hearings must be requested within fifteen days of the arrest. Should this request not be filed, a suspension will be ordered regardless of whether or not the defendant is found guilty. Those convicted are often required to pay thousands of dollars to get their driving privileges reinstated once the suspension period is over. In addition, most insurance companies charge heavy fees for insuring those with DWI / DUI on their record.
Whether or not a client was legitimately intoxicated when pulled over is often a matter of opinion. Having an experienced lawyer who knows whether or not the clients rights were violated during this process drastically increases the chances of acquittal. If the officer in question did not have probable cause for arrest, or did not adequately inform the client of their rights before submitting them to blood or breath tests, these inconsistencies can form the basis of a case.
Even those who are knowledgeable about their rights and understand that they have been violated will require proper representation in court to make their case. A lawyer without particular expertise in the field may be in over his or her head, and no regular citizen is equipped to take on the state of Texas alone. The best possible chance of beating a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, or getting the best possible terms upon conviction when acquittal simply isn’t a possibility, is to hire an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after the event occurred.
