San Antonio DWI Penalties | San Antonio DWI Consequences | Penalty 2nd DWI | 3rd DWI Defense | DWI Punishment | Fighting DWI Charge | Fight DWI Charge | Experienced DWI Defense | Drunk Driving Punishment

Dealing with a DWI is a frightening experience and therefore because of the penalties involved, a DWI must be handled with tremendous professionalism and expertise. And because every state has specific penalties and consequences related to a DWI, if you’ve been arrested for a DWI, you need a good drunk driving attorney from the initial incident all the way through the proceedings. Free Consultation

The Consequences Involving a DWI

The truth is, if your case is not handled appropriately, the consequences in just about every state are high and can have serious costs to you. You could potentially lose your license, your insurance will probably go up, you could be heavily fined, and it could even impact on your employment record. There is even a possibility that you could go to jail. The penalties and consequences are determined by several factors in the case such as whether you refused a breathalyzer test, if you had a previous DWI within the past seven years, if your BAC was greater than .08%, if you were speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour and if there was a minor in the automobile when the accident occurred. Even if you took the blood test and breath testx you could face license suspension or license revocation if the test results exceeded your states regulations. Free Consultation

A Knowledgeable DWI Attorney

Did you know that there are approximately 20 different aspects that come with a DWI? We at San Antonio DWI do everything we can to get you off, keep your record clean and prevent you from losing your license to drive. In other words, we start by believing that you shouldn’t have been arrested, so with that uppermost in our minds, we fight for you. When you place yourself in the hands of the knowledgeable DWI attorneys at San AntonioDWI, you know you will be treated fairly and will receive the best defense possible. We understand how important a good defense is to your case and therefore we do everything to protect your rights. Contact us today and let us help. Free Consultation

What Could Go Wrong in a DWI Case?

A District Attorney is willing to use all the legal points that are available to build a case against you and the law gives him or her plenty of ammunition. The DA only needs to prove that you were not able to drive your car safely after you were drinking and that your blood alcohol concentration exceeded the limit. Since the officer at the scene of the accident determined that your driving was impaired, you were inebriated and that you were not able to walk a San Antonio line, the DA already has plenty to use against you. However, there’s a lot more to a DWI than that, which means it’s important to know what your legal rights are concerning drunk driving incident. A DWI lawyer is equipped with the expertise in this area of the law so they are the ones who can help. Therefore, if you have been charged with drunk driving, contact one of our highly knowledgeable and experienced DWI attorneys at San Antonio DWI and let us sort out your situation immediately. Call or e-mail us today.Free Consultation

I do not think anyone "sets out" to get a DUI or DWI charge. The fact remains though, that states coninue to lower the amount of alcohol must ingest in order to be considered to be "impaired" and receive a DUI charge.Free Consultation

At the same time they continue to up the penalties associated with DUI and DWI. And many industries now look at charges in a different light. If you are charged with driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated you have alot of important decisions to make as you consider the repercussions of having a DUI or DWI conviction on your driving record. Free Consultation

Most people know that if they are found guilty of a DUI or DWI they are going to pay a fine. Some do not know that thier license will be revoked for a period of time. Some think they will get some kind of "waiver " and be able to drive for "important things" like doctors, stores or work. Not true. You can not drive during your suspension. Period. Free Consultation

In some places, even first offenses for Driving under the influence or driving hwile intoxicated can be punished with jail time, community service, driver education programs you pay for, mandatory psycholigical counselling that you must pay for, and/or court ordered attendance at 12 step programs. You will have to prove to the court that you have done everything they have asked of you Before you can get your license back. Free Consultation

Some do not realize how steep the fines can be for DUI and DWI charges. In the State of NJ, you pay a fine for the tickets you received when you were pullled over,,court costs..plus for a first offense, an additional three thousand dollar fine. For a second offense (a second charge any time within the next 10 years) you lose your license, not for 3 months, but two years. You pay fines court costs and fines that may exceed ten thousand dollars. These fees andd fines can not be discharged through bankruptcy and many people pay them over time with a payment plan. However,if at any time, you do not keep up with the payments your driving priveledges can be suspended again. Free Consultation

Why You Might Want to Consider Fighting that DUI or DWI Charge

There can be other repercussions too. You may be required to answer "yes" on any job application that asks "have you Ever been convicted of a crime". But perhaps not those that say "any crime other than a misdemeanor". Your conviction Never comes off your driving abstract. Your insurance will cost more for several years. Some industries officially may bar you for a number of years ( usually jobs involving driving cars or machinery ..and some teaching positions) Other industries may not bar you officially, but pass by in favor of other applicants. In some instances, insuring companies refuse to bond people who have a DUI or DWI. Many home health care agencies, cleaning services, and financial jobs require those who can be "licensed, bonded workers". Some companies that hire customer service workers who deal with financial information, will not hire those who can not be bonded. Some companies will bond, and some companies will hire a person with a DUI or DWI after time has passed (most usually either three or five years). Many companies, such as large retail chains, now do background checks on new employees, even for minumum wage jobs. The point is that a DUI or DWI conviction can limit you in ways you may not have considered. It can hamper you and is something you may be still be called upon to explain years later. Free Consultation

I know some people are surprised when they realize that although they are facing stiff penalties, they are usually not "entitled" to an attorney in traffic court. Whether one should hire an attorney or represent oneself in traffic court deserves serious consideration when one is facing such charges. Some feel thier case is "cut and dry". They were very intoxicated on tape, they took and failed the breathalyzer. Others feel that they may have been under the legal limit. Some feel there was some other circumstance they hope would be seen as extenuating. Still others want to avoid speaking for themselves in court and would just rather have a professional speak for them. Some seek out an attorney to ask what options or defenses might be avaiable to them. Others hope that an attorney who is familair with all the system and the individuals may be able to get them a better outcome than they could obtain on thier own. Ultimately you are the one who must decide whether you will seek legal counsel. Whether you feel your example is similair to the instances above or not..you may be facing very stiff penalties. You are the one who must decide if you want to plead guilty to the charge or fight it. Free Consultation

I hope this article has provided you with some information about DWI and DUI that expanded your knowledge about the subject. I am a layperson, and this article should not be misconstrued as "legal advice". It reflects my personal opinion. Free Consultation

In Texas the term most often used is DWI which means driving while intoxicated. The term DUI or driving under the influence is used in Texas, but it is used only to refer to those under the age of 21 who operate a vehicle with any detectable alcohol in the minor's system. DUI's in Texas carry a lesser charge than those of DWI's. Free Consultation

In order to obtain a conviction the following must first be proved. The person must be intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. The term intoxicated means two things. First means not having normal use of mental and physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances or any other substance into the body. Secondly the term intoxication means having a a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more. Free Consultation

Texas has recently enacted the toughest DWI laws in its history. Misdemeanor offenders can now face up to two year license suspension without the possibility of even a work-related driving permit. Repeat offenders often face punishments comparable to those meted out for sex-offenders and felony level theft offenses. Almost every person arrested for a DWI or DUI in Texas has more than one case to defend against. Free Consultation

Penalties for the first DWI are a jail sentence of up to 180 days, an optional fine of up to $2,000 dollars and a one year license suspension. The jail sentence is almost always probated. A second arrest within ten years of the first offense carries a punishment of up to a year in jail, a $4,000 fine and a two year license suspension. Felony level offenses provide for a minimum of two years in state prison and as many as twenty years for an intoxication manslaughter charge. It is not uncommon for a driver arrested for a felony DWI to receive a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. Free Consultation

A first offense carries a Texas criminal status of Class B misdemeanor. Jail time is a minimum of 72 hours or 6 days if an open container is present. Fines and costs include $2,000 and a possible surcharge of $1,000 per year for 3 years. Free Consultation

The surcharge is raised to $2,000 if the person's BAC level was doubled or more than the legal limit. License suspension is for one year. Attending a DWI class may avoid this. An occupational license may be granted based on need. Free Consultation

The second offense carries a Texas criminal status of Class A misdemeanor and a third offense is a third degree felony. Jail time for a second offense is 72 hours and not more than one year. A third offense can mean 2-10 years in prison. Fines are not to exceed $4,000 and the surcharge is $1,500 per year for three years and $2,000 if the person's BAC level was doubled or more than the legal limit. License suspension is anywhere from 180 days to 2 years. Free Consultation

The laws for a DWI and driving with a minor and DWI while in a commercial vehicle carry stiffer penalties. It is a felony to drive while intoxicated with a minor younger than 15 in the vehicle. If a person is driving a commercial vehicle and has a BAC level over .04 the commercial drivers license can be suspended for one year and up to three years if the driver was carrying hazardous materials. Free Consultation

Another penalty of a DWI is car insurance rates will go up or the insurance company will cancel the policy. Most states require insurance companies two provide the state motor vehicle agency with an SR-22 proof of insurance certificate, which removes license suspension. Although it sounds simple enough, not all insurance companies offer the SR-22 policies, therefore the policy may be non-renewed or canceled simply because the company can no longer provide insurance for the DWI offender. Free Consultation

DWI's carry many consequences that are not easily affordable. They carry with them lasting effects that become a permanent part of the lives of the offenders. Most importantly driving while intoxicated not only puts the offenders life at risk, but they also risk the lives of those with them and those that are in their path. Designated drivers are an easy solution to this problem, unfortunately they are rarely used, which causes the number of DWI-related fatalities to rise. If everyone thought the consequences of drinking while intoxicated were too great to risk, then maybe it would no longer be an issue Free Consultation

DWI Penalties & Consequences