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Tarrant County DWI Resources
Attorney Providing Guidance for People Arrested for DWI in Tarrant County, TX
A DWI arrest can affect your license, criminal record, employment opportunities, insurance rates, and freedom. By understanding the DWI process in Tarrant County, you can determine what steps you can take to defend against these charges and avoid serious penalties. At The Dameron Law Firm, our DWI defense attorney can provide the guidance you need after being arrested for drunk driving. He can address any concerns you may have about your arrest, court dates, bond conditions, or driver's license, and he will explain the defense options that may be available.
What Happens After a DWI Arrest?
- Traffic Stop: Many DWI cases begin with allegations of speeding, weaving through traffic, lane violations, unsafe driving, or an accident.
- Roadside Investigation: An officer may ask questions, request field sobriety tests, and look for signs of intoxication.
- Arrest and Booking: If the officer believes they have probable cause showing that it is likely that you were driving while intoxicated, you may be arrested and booked. You may later be released on bond, and certain conditions may be put in place by a judge.
- Court Hearings: As your case proceeds, our attorney can review police reports, video footage, breath or blood test evidence, the conduct of police officers, and other issues that may affect your case. He can advise you of your options for negotiating an agreement with the prosecutor or defending against a conviction in a trial.
Texas DWI Laws Explained
In Texas, a person can be charged with DWI based on a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher or based on allegations that alcohol, drugs, medications, or a combination of substances affected their mental or physical faculties and their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Specific DWI charges may include:
- First-Offense DWI: Even if you have never been convicted of DWI before, you could face penalties such as jail time, fines, the loss of your driver's license, probation conditions, increased insurance rates, and a permanent criminal record.
- DWI With a BAC of .15 or Higher: Enhanced charges may apply if you had a high blood alcohol concentration. You may face stricter bond conditions and other restrictions.
- Second DWI: With a previous DWI conviction on your record, you may face increased jail time, higher fines, a longer license suspension, and stricter conditions for bond or probation.
- Felony DWI: A third DWI or a case involving serious injuries or a death in a car accident can lead to severe penalties. You may be sentenced to prison for multiple years and face high fines. You will have a felony conviction on your record, which can lead to long-term collateral consequences.
Common Issues Addressed in a DWI Defense
- Illegal Stop: Police must have a lawful basis to stop your vehicle. If the stop was illegal, our lawyer can take steps to challenge the evidence.
- Field Sobriety Tests: Roadside tests can be affected by medical conditions, fatigue, footwear, weather, surface conditions, or officer errors. Our attorney can review how tests were performed and show that their results were not an accurate assessment of intoxication.
- Breath or Blood Testing: Issues that can affect chemical BAC tests may include machine maintenance, lab procedures, chain of custody of blood samples, contamination of evidence, or misinterpretation of test results. Our lawyer will determine whether blood or breath tests can be challenged.
Tarrant County DWI Court Process
A misdemeanor DWI case will often involve an initial court appearance, pretrial hearings, negotiations, motions, and possibly a trial. Felony DWI cases may involve grand jury reviews, indictments, and district court hearings, and the potential penalties may be more serious.
At The Dameron Law Firm, our attorney can help you understand where your case stands, what the prosecutor must prove, and whether the evidence supports a dismissal, a reduction of charges, or an acquittal. He may take steps to negotiate an agreement that will help you avoid serious penalties, or he may provide you with a defense during a trial.
Cities and Communities Served
- Fort Worth
- Arlington
- Grapevine
- Southlake
- Keller
- Mansfield
- Bedford
- Euless
- Hurst
- Colleyville
- Saginaw
- Haltom City
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Charges
Yes. A conviction for a first DWI offense can lead to jail time, license suspension, fines, probation, ignition interlock requirements, and a criminal record. Our attorney can review your case and provide guidance on the available options for defense.
Some DWI cases may be dismissed because of problems with a traffic stop, arrest, field sobriety testing, chemical blood or breath testing, witness statements, or constitutional issues. Every case depends on the facts, and our lawyer can determine when a dismissal may be possible.
Possibly. The consequences that may affect your license will depend on the facts surrounding your arrest, whether you failed a chemical breath or blood test or refused testing, any previous DWI arrests or license suspensions, and whether you meet administrative deadlines for challenging a license suspension. Our attorney can advise you on the steps you can take to avoid the suspension of your license.
You should not plead guilty before consulting with a lawyer. Our attorney can review the police reports, video evidence, chemical test results, and other evidence to determine what defenses may be available. He can advise you on whether a guilty plea may be a good idea or whether you can take steps to avoid a DWI conviction.
Yes. A DWI arrest or conviction will typically appear on background checks, which could prevent you from being hired in certain positions. A DWI conviction could lead to the loss of a professional license, commercial driver's license, or security clearance. Defending against DWI charges can help you avoid problems that could affect your career.
Contact Our Tarrant County, Texas DWI Defense Attorney
When addressing DWI charges, you will want to make sure you understand your options for defense and the steps you can take to minimize the consequences that may affect your life. At The Dameron Law Firm, our attorney can make sure you take the right steps to resolve your case successfully. Contact our Tarrant County DWI lawyer at 817-222-0624 to set up your free consultation.
1515 8th Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-222-0624
