Fort Bend DWI Lawyer

Fort Bend DWI Attorney

An arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be an incredibly intimidating and stressful situation. Conviction of a DWI can have long-term consequences on your driving privileges, freedom, and future opportunities. However, an arrest does not mean you will always be convicted. If you are facing an arrest or charges for a DWI, you need a skilled Fort Bend DWI lawyer by your side to protect your rights.

With a DWI defense attorney, you may be able to avoid the most significant penalties you face and may even be able to avoid conviction. An attorney can help you in administrative and criminal proceedings throughout the DWI process, protecting your driver’s license and creating a strategic defense for criminal charges. The situation you are in can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone.

Greco Neyland, PC: Protecting Your Interests Following a DWI

Greco Neyland is a team of knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys with significant experience defending against DWI charges. Attorneys in our firm have a background in prosecution. This gives us a unique understanding of how the prosecution works and what the right steps are to find weak spots in the prosecution’s evidence against you and create a strategic and multifaceted defense for your situation. Our team provides you with aggressive legal support to protect your interests.

Understanding DWI Laws in Fort Bend

Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances is illegal because it is dangerous for you and everyone on the road with you. Driving impaired limits your ability to make decisions quickly and with appropriate care. This increases the chances of you causing an accident on the road.

The Texas offense of a DWI occurs when an individual is found operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxicated under state law is defined as either:

1. Not having full function of mental or physical faculties due to the use of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances, or a combination of these substances
2. Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher

Under these laws, you do not have to meet the legal BAC limit to be arrested and charged with a DWI. If an arrested officer deems that you do not have full control of your faculties because of a substance, this may be sufficient for you to be charged with the crime.

This type of DWI, if there are no aggravating factors, is charged as a Class B misdemeanor. Typically, a Class B misdemeanor includes one or both of the following penalties:

• Jail time – up to 180 days
• Fines – up to $2,000

However, a first-time DWI Class B misdemeanor is unique because it has a minimum sentence of 72 hours in jail.

Aggravating Factors in a DWI Case

There are several factors that can worsen the charges associated with a DWI. One of the main aggravating factors is having prior DWI convictions on your record in a certain period of time. Each subsequent DWI offense results in more significant penalties, and a judge is likely to be less lenient with sentencing.

Other factors surrounding a DWI offense that worsen penalties include:

• Open alcohol container: Class B misdemeanor with a minimum sentence of six days in jail
• 15% BAC or higher: Class A misdemeanor, resulting in either up to one year in jail, a fine of $4,000, or both
• Passenger under 15 years old: State jail felony, resulting in jail time between 180 days and two years and up to $10,000 in fines
• Intoxication assault, or causing serious bodily injury: Third-degree felony, with penalties of between two and ten years in prison and fines of up to $10,000
• Intoxication manslaughter, or causing death: Second-degree felony, with between two and 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000

Increased penalties only increase your need for an attorney with experience in these complex and serious charges.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DWI Lawyer Cost in Texas?

A: How much a DWI lawyer costs in Texas varies on factors such as the attorney that you work with and the unique DWI charges you face. More complicated DWI cases with more severe charges will likely require more of an attorney’s resources and time and will, therefore, be more expensive. A more experienced attorney is also likely to charge a higher rate, but a more experienced attorney is also more likely to be able to secure the most beneficial outcome for you.

Q: How Do I Beat a DWI Charge in Texas?

A: The most effective way to beat a DWI charge in Texas is to work with a qualified and experienced Fort Bend DWI Lawyer to create a strong defense against the charges you face. A good DWI defense challenges the evidence the prosecution has, dismisses evidence that was obtained illegally and uses relevant procedural defenses. These actions and defenses taken together make a defense more likely to be successful and could mitigate or eliminate DWI charges.

Q: Can a DWI Be Reduced in Texas?

A: A DWI could potentially be reduced in Texas depending on the specifics of your unique DWI arrest and charge. The prosecution may offer a plea deal to reduce the charges you face if a conviction is going to be difficult to secure. The penalties for a DWI conviction could be lower than the maximum, depending on the discretion of the judge. You are more likely to have a DWI reduced if you work with a defense attorney.

Q: Is Jail Time Mandatory for the First DWI Charge in Texas?

A: Yes, jail time is typically mandatory for a first DWI charge in Texas, as there is a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours listed for a DWI offense that is not aggravated. Aggravating factors can increase this minimum sentence. Additionally, the exact sentence you receive will rely on factors such as the judge’s leniency and the skill of your attorney. A first offense can have a longer sentence, if the judge wishes, of up to 180 days.

Find the Right Legal Support After a DWI Arrest in Fort Bend

If you have been arrested or charged with a DWI in Fort Bend, TX, you need legal defense sooner rather than later. The earlier a qualified attorney can begin working on your case, the better prepared a defense is likely to be. The team at Greco Neyland, PC, wants to help support you and protect your future. Contact our firm today to see how we can preserve your rights and fight against DWI charges.