What Does a Houston DWI Attorney Do?

A DWI Attorney is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who specializes in DUI/DWI cases. A good DUI attorney has strong critical thinking skills and can effectively assess all available options on a client’s behalf. They are also capable of working with prosecutors and judges to minimize the severity of penalties that a client faces after conviction.

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Typical Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated

DWI is an offense in all states that involves operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are convicted of this crime, you may face a wide range of consequences, including fines, probation, loss of your driver’s license and even jail time.

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The charges you face will depend on several factors, such as the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of your blood and the type of vehicle you were driving. The severity of the charges you are facing will also depend on whether you are a first-time or repeat offender.

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If you are a first-time offender, the charge can be reduced to driving while ability impaired (DWAI). This noncriminal charge is often the best way to protect your driver’s license in the short term. However, if you are convicted of DWAI, you will lose any eligibility to plead to a lower charge in the future if you are again charged with DWI.

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Defending the arrest

In order to make a DWI arrest, police must have sufficient evidence that you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the arrest. This evidence can include the results of field sobriety tests, or a blood or breath test revealing high levels of alcohol in your system.

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There are many ways in which a DWI attorney can challenge your arrest, including claiming that the police did not have enough evidence to justify an arrest. An attorney will review your specific case and look for any irregularities that may have led to the officer’s decision to pull you over or make the initial stop.

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A Houston DWI Attorney can also help you understand your rights during a traffic stop and fight for the right to have your arrest suppressed. This is an essential step in the defense process and can often result in your case being thrown out altogether, or the arrest being overturned.

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Your lawyer can also assist you with obtaining an ignition interlock device for your vehicle. This is a device that prevents you from driving if your BAC is too high. If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated and you refuse to take a blood or breath alcohol test, the court will revoke your driver’s license.

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The cost of a DWI attorney can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your case. Generally, fees are structured and explained in detail during an initial consultation.

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You must be ready to hire an experienced Houston DWI Attorney when you are faced with a DUI charge, because there are many legal issues involved and you need someone who is skilled in navigating the complex criminal justice system.