DWI/DUI Defense Attorney
DWI Defense Attorney
Why Hire A DWI Attorney In Houston
In the United States, 28 people die from drunk driving crashes each day. If you are involved in a car accident while drunk driving, this is a serious offense that can result in jail time, huge fines and penalties, and more.
If you are in trouble for driving while intoxicated, it is important that you hire a Houston DWI attorney to help you. Do you want to learn more about how an attorney can help you with your case?
Keep reading this article to learn more about the top reasons you should hire an attorney after a DWI offense.
It Is a Serious Offense
One of the main reasons why you must hire an attorney for your DWI case is that it is a serious offense.
While you may not go to prison for your first DWI conviction, you may face misdemeanor charges that can result in county jail time. If it is a second offense, you will face much more serious penalties, including fines, mandatory jail time, and more.
Often, DWI charges can result in losing your license as well.
To avoid many of these DWI penalties, you can work with an attorney.
Save Money
Another reason why you should hire an attorney after a DWI is that they can help you save money.
While many people think that they can save money and represent themselves, this may end up costing more in the long run. This is because other attorneys will be working against you and may make it difficult to negotiate.
DWI attorneys have experience and will be more likely to help you reach a better settlement. They may be able to lower the number of fines and penalties you owe. Plus, they can help you save your job, so you will not be out of work.
An attorney can also help you get through your DWI case in a much more efficient way. This can lead to a shorter trial, less time spent in court, and fewer legal fees.
Hiring an attorney to help with your DWI case is well worth the money and may even pay for itself.
Help Pursuing the Best Course of Action
Hiring a lawyer is also important because they can help you pursue the best course of action for your DWI case. If you hire an experienced attorney that specializes in DWI cases, they will have handled plenty of similar cases in the past.
They will be able to help you choose the right course of action, whether this is pleading guilty and seeking a plea deal or pleading not guilty to your charges.
DWI attorneys also know more about your case strength. If they know that the charges against you are weak, your DWI lawyer can fight for your protection and may even be able to get your charges dropped.
Because they are more knowledgeable of the case against you, they can help you determine the right steps to take after a DWI charge.
Get a Lighter Sentence
An experienced DWI attorney can also do their best to help you get a lighter sentence for your charges.
This is because they are familiar with these cases, the current laws and regulations, and more. This will allow them to build a stronger case in your defense, which may result in a lighter sentence, a dismissal of your charges, and more.
By lowering these sentences, you can get back to your normal life much faster.
Trial Experience
If you have DWI charges, there is always a chance that the case could go to trial. While you are able to represent yourself in a trial, you will likely lack the legal knowledge necessary to emerge unscathed.
A good prosecutor can tear your case apart and you might end up going to jail.
On the other hand, a DWI attorney has trial experience. They know exactly how to prepare for court and will keep you informed of the entire process. Their knowledge of the law can help you get a lighter sentence and appeal to the judge.
By hiring a DWI attorney, you can feel confident that they have a strategy in place for anything that arises, including a court hearing.
Peace of Mind
Finally, working with a professional, experienced DWI attorney can provide you with peace of mind. You can feel confident that your DWI case is being handled by someone with experience in the legal system.
Often, people will hire a DWI attorney just for this peace of mind. They can help you lower your stress during your case or trial and you can rest assured that they are doing everything in their power to help you through your case.
You can also feel confident that your DWI attorney has your best interests in mind. As their client, you are paying them to help you with your charges. They will always do what is best for you and can lower the stress of going through a trial by yourself.
Need a Houston DWI Attorney? We Can Help
If you were drunk driving or driving while intoxicated, it can have serious legal repercussions. By hiring a Houston DWI attorney, they can help you through the process and may even be able to secure a lighter sentence for your crime.
Do you need help hiring a lawyer for your DWI case? We can help! Our team of legal experts can help you through the entire process of your DWI case.
Contact us today to learn more about our legal services or to get a consultation with one of our DWI attorneys.
Texas ranks fourth among the worst states for driving while intoxicated. In 2021, drunk driving crashes caused 963 fatalities around the state.
So it should come as no surprise that the penalties of a DWI conviction in Texas can be harsh. The consequences of driving while intoxicated can have long-lasting effects on your life.
Losing your driver’s license is just the beginning. DWI penalties in Texas can include steep fines, months in jail, and even a decade in prison.
Consulting a Houston DWI attorney can help avoid harsh sentencing and more. Keep reading to find out what you need about DWI penalties and how to find a DWI attorney in Houston.
Penalties for DWI Conviction in Texas
A DWI conviction can include fines, jail time, and losing your driver’s license. It can also affect your ability to pass a background check, making it difficult to find a job.
DWI penalties in Texas depend on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. A few of these include your intoxication level, who was in the car with you, and whether the drunk driving resulted in damage or injury.
First Offense
A first DWI offense in Texas comes with a fine of up to $2,000 and the loss of a driver’s license for up to one year. It can also result in up to 180 days in jail, including three mandatory days.
Second Offense
With a second DWI conviction, the fine can be as much as $4,000. You could lose your driver’s license for up to two years. The jail time for a second offense also increases to one month and a year.
Third Offense
The consequences get much harsher after a third DWI conviction. You will likely lose your driver’s license for up to two years, and you will also face a much steeper fine of $10,000 and between two and ten years in prison.
Drunk Driving With a Child Passenger
If you are convicted of DWI while driving with a child (under age 15) in the car, you will get charged with child endangerment. You will receive an additional $10,000 and face up to two more years in jail.
In this circumstance, you will lose your driver’s license for 180 days.
Driving With an Open Container
In Texas, it is illegal to drive with an open container of alcohol in your vehicle, and it is illegal to do this whether you are drunk or not. Find out what else you need to know about open container laws in Texas.
Finding Representation After a DWI Arrest
When you get arrested for DWI in Texas, you have three options for representation. You can let the court appoint a public defender, you can hire a DWI attorney, or you can represent yourself.
Here’s what you need to know about each option.
Public Defender
First, it is crucial to understand that all defendants charged with a crime have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford a private attorney, the court will appoint a public defender to represent you.
However, because public defenders have so many cases on their plate, it is unlikely your case will be their top priority. They may not be able to give your case the attention it requires to get the best possible outcome.
Self-Representation
The idea of representing yourself in court might seem enticing. On the surface, it sounds like an excellent way to save money. However, more often than not, self-representation will cost you more down the road.
It is nearly impossible for a person without legal expertise to defend themselves in court successfully. This is because they must fight against attorneys who argue DWI cases for a living.
By representing yourself, you could end up paying steeper fines and doing more jail time.
DWI Attorney
Hiring a DWI attorney in Houston might seem like the most expensive choice. However, it can save you money in the long run in various ways.
Benefits of Hiring a Houston DWI Attorney
Hiring a DWI lawyer is your best chance of getting a desirable outcome and avoiding a DWI conviction. Here’s what else you can expect from working with a Houston DWI attorney.
Protect Your Rights
You may be under a lot of stress when you get arrested for DWI. Stress can cause you to make hasty decisions without thinking through the consequences.
A DWI attorney knows your rights and will ensure no one takes advantage of you during this vulnerable time.
Prioritize Your Case
Unlike public defenders, private attorneys get to choose how many clients they take on. That means they have far more time to prioritize your case.
When you hire a DWI attorney, they will make sure to give you the time and attention required to address your questions and concerns.
Provide Legal Expertise
DWI attorneys in Houston specialize in defending DWI cases. They also have excellent knowledge of the local laws that apply to your case, allowing them to protect you better than any other type of lawyer.
Get a Better Outcome
Hiring a DWI lawyer makes it more likely that you will get a better outcome for your case. They may be able to get your case dismissed or acquitted, and an attorney is also more likely to get you a better settlement.
When you team up with a qualified DWI attorney, the chances of getting your sentence reduced, fines lowered, and jail time removed are much higher.
Minimize Time Spent in Court
You will likely need to be present for all court appearances with a public defender. However, when you hire private counsel, your lawyer can appear in court on your behalf.
This can significantly benefit those who find it challenging to take time off from work, parenting, and other essential responsibilities.
Navigate Consequences
There are consequences for a DWI arrest, even if you get exonerated. Although you won’t face legal consequences, the charge for the arrest can stay on your criminal record.
A criminal record can prevent you from keeping a job, getting a job, renting an apartment, and more. A lawyer can help you get your record expunged so you can protect your reputation in the future.
Consult a DWI Attorney in Houston
Unfortunately, drunk driving is all too common in Texas. DWI arrests happen every day, and the consequences can be life-altering.
Self-representation or getting a public defender might seem more affordable, but they rarely get you the best possible outcome.
Hiring a Houston DWI attorney is the ticket for the best chance of getting an acquittal, reducing your sentence, or lowering your fines and jail time.
Contact Tripodi Law Firm today for a free consultation with an experienced DWI attorney in Houston.
The attorney you hire matters. A subpar attorney could derail your case, while a good one will help you.