If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Texas, there are a few things that you should know. From learning about the immediate and long term consequences of a DWI conviction, to learning about the variety of ways that an attorney can help you challenge some of the evidence in your DWI case, knowledge is a very powerful thing when it comes to making decisions regarding your Texas DWI case. Here are five things that can help every Texas DWI defendant understand their DWI case and make decisions that are truly in their best interest.
One of the first things that you should know about the drunk driving laws in Texas is that they are among the strictest in the nation. For your first DWI conviction, you could face fines of up to $2000.00, license suspension for up to a year, and up to one hundred and eighty days in jail. The penalties are even harsher for second-time offenders, and if you are convicted of DWI in Texas a third time, it is a felony. With penalties this severe, Texas DWI defendants have a lot to lose, if they do not take a proactive role in their defense.
A second important thing to know is that a DWI arrest in Texas gives rise to two different legal proceedings. As you might expect, one of the proceedings is a criminal case, and it is usually brought by a local district attorney. The other proceeding is of an administrative nature, and it involves the fate of your driver’s license. If you refused to submit to field sobriety tests or roadside breath testing, or if you took either or both of those tests and failed, your license will automatically be suspended, unless you file a request for a hearing on the matter within fifteen days of your arrest. It is essential that Texas DWI defendants remember to involve themselves in both proceedings, because each proceeding has something important at stake.
The third thing that Texas DWI defendants should know is that they have options. While a dismissal of your case or a reduction of the charges and penalties would be nice, these options are rarely available. If your case is one of the few that could qualify for one of these options, a knowledgeable Texas DWI defense attorney could help you pursue that outcome. Plea bargaining is also an option, and it involves a tradeoff of a conviction in exchange for more lenient consequences. Again, your attorney can help you weigh the positives and negatives of deciding to take your DWI case in this direction. You may also plead not guilty, and require the state to prove at a trial that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If you are considering this option, it is essential that you seek the assistance of an expert Texas DWI defense attorney.
A fourth thing that you must know, if you are a Texas DWI defendant, is that your attorney needs as much information about your DWI arrest as you can provide, in order to present your best possible defense. It can be difficult to remember the events leading up to such a traumatic event, but if you can remember things like how much you ate and drank at what times that day, which kinds of things you ate and drank, why you were pulled over, and whether you were advised of your right to remain silent, your attorney can figure out the best strategies for your defense.
The fifth and final thing that anyone accused of driving under the influence in Texas should know is that you don’t have to do this on your own. East Texas DWI defense attorney Alex Tyra is here to help you. To learn more, call our office at (903) 753-7499 to schedule a free consultation, or visit our law firm website to submit an online contact form.