DWI Defense Lawyer in Houston
Harsh Penalties for Houston DWI Offenders
A DWI is a serious crime; a conviction remains on your criminal record for the rest of your life. Additional consequenses can include jail time, probation, loss of drivers license, breathalyzer in your can, fines, loss of your job, inability to get the job of your choise, loss of professional licenses, and higher insurance rates. An individual with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher is considered legally intoxicated per Texas law and deemed too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle. The drunk driver may be arrested for DWI and face the harsh penalties that accompany the offense.
For this reason, a driver accused of DWI should contact a Houston criminal defense attorney for representation during all steps of the criminal court proceedings including the Administrative License Revocation Hearing (ALR) regarding their drivers license suspension. At The Law Offices of Ned Barnett, I represent clients charged with DWI crimes and stand ready to offer professional legal services throughout the entire DWI process. I, Attorney Ned Barnett, have the knowledge and experience necessary to provide effective legal defense to clients facing serious DWI charges.
DWI Conviction and Penalties
Common penalties for a DWI conviction can include the following:
- First offense - maximum 180 days in jail, fines up to $2,000, driver's license suspension of 90 days to 1 year, probation, alcohol education
- Second offense - maximum 1 years in jail, fines up to $4,000, driver's license suspension of 180 days to 2 years, probation, alcohol education
- Third offense - prison time 2-10 years, fines up to $10,000, driver's license suspension of 180 days to 2 years, probation, alcohol education
Additional penalties for a DWI conviction can consist of community service, instalation of an ignition-interlocking device in your vehicle, your vehicle being impounded and license revocation. Penalties can increase if there was a minor in the vehicle at the time of arrest, prior convictions for DWIs, a DWI traffic accident that resulted in serious bodily injuries injuries or deaths, or a DWI hit and run. It is therefore essential to have competent legal defense from a reliable DWI attorney at all phases of the court proceedings.
There are many steps that can be taken to defend your case, but to effectively pursue these defenses you need a DWI defense lawyer you can rely on. I have a proven record of helping clients mitigate punishment and avoiding the harsh penalties of a DWI conviction. Make an appointment today for a consultation with a my firm and learn more about how I can help you to protect your legal rights in even the most unwelcoming of circumstances.
Contact a Houston DWI lawyer
for legal advice and assistance following a DWI arrest.