Most people that are charged with a DWI as a first offender have never been in trouble with law enforcement in the entire lives. Doctors, lawyers, professionals, teachers, and even clergy have found themselves in this unfortunate situation.
There is much to understand and learn if you have been charged with a DWI in Harris County. You certainly don’t want to be learning alongside your attorney as you go. You need to be informed of everything BEFORE it happens. Only then can you make an informed decision about your DWI case. Hiring a Houston DWI Attorney is the first step in that process.
A DWI-1st is a class B misdemeanor, which carries with it a possible term of confinement of 180 days in the county jail and up to a $2,000.00 fine. You will need an aggressive DWI Attorney who knows how to handle these cases from the beginning investigation to the potential trial before a jury.
In Harris County, first time DWI offenders are offered county jail time or straight probation. Gone are the days when you could pay $500-1,000.00 and court costs and your DWI case was over. You would be convicted but your case would be over. Many people hired lawyers for a fraction of what an experienced DWI lawyer would charge and opted for the “time-served and a fine” offer that was so readily handed out. You would receive credit for the time you already served in jail and pay a fine.
Under the current administration, prosecutors typically offer 30 days in the Harris County Jail or a 1-year probation. This is done to force DWI defendants to plead guilty and be on probation. But for most people, probation is not a good choice for them and the many onerous conditions that one must undertake in order to successfully complete a probation make it an task.
Here at Greco Neyland, PC, we defend individuals against every level of DWI/DUI, including DWI for drivers under 21.
First DWI Conviction (Alcohol) | Suspended jail sentence *Possible License suspension 90 days to one year |
First DWI Conviction (Drugs) | Probation for one (1) year Pay your fine, court costs and monthly probation fees Community service — 24 to 100 hours |
Class B Misdemeanors | DWI Education Course Attend Victim Impact Panel Drug and alcohol evaluation Forbidden to enter bars Forbidden to drink alcohol Forbidden to break any law Possible jail sentence of 72 hours to 180 days in the County jail and up to a $2,000 fine |
* For DWI 1st Offenders, if they are granted probation and take the DWI education course within the requisite time period mandated, they will not receive a driver’s license suspension. They will however, still be subject to the mandatory DPS.
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