San Antonio DWI Defense Attorney

Understanding DWI Laws in Texas

Most people immediately assume that driving while intoxicated means drunk driving but, while drunk driving does make up a large number of DWI arrests and convictions, DWI really means operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or both.

In the state of Texas, it is illegal to drive or operate a motor vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to state DWI laws, a person is considered too impaired to drive if his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or higher.

Ultimately, driving while intoxicated includes more than just impairment from alcohol and illegal drugs, as it also includes prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, too.

Contact the Emmons Law Firm, P.C. online or by phone at (210) 702-3054 for a free, confidential consultation with a dedicated DWI defense lawyer in San Antonio.

Texas DWI Penalties

The penalties for DWI are very serious and can include jail time, fines, and outpatient and inpatient treatment programs, as well as a lengthy driver’s license suspension. Even when you are eventually eligible to get your driver’s license back, you could end up paying thousands of dollars in high-risk insurance premiums.

On top of that, if someone is injured as a result of the drunk driving accident, it is possible that you will be charged with a felony. If the individual dies, you will be charged with felony motor vehicle homicide. In Texas, intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony, which carries 2 to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of no more than $10,000.

Some potential DWI penalties include:

• First offense when BAC is less than 0.15%:
  • Up to $2,000 in fines
  • 3 to 180 days in jail
  • One-year suspension of driver’s license
  • Substance abuse treatment program entry
  • Community service
• First offense when BAC is greater than 0.15%:
  • Up to $4,000 in fines
  • Up to 365 days in jail
  • One-year suspension of driver’s license
  • Substance abuse treatment program entry
  • Community service
• Second DWI offense:
  • Up to $4,000 in fines
  • Up to 30 days to 365 days in jail
  • Two-year suspension of driver’s license
  • Substance abuse treatment program entry
  • Community service

Building Your Defense

Building a solid defense against DWI charges can be challenging; inexperienced attorneys may lack the skill to identify pieces of evidence to support that defense. San Antonio DWI defense lawyer Derek Emmons has the experience to represent you in the way that you deserve.

Depending on the facts of your unique case, everything from the initial reason for the traffic stop to the way the breath test or blood test was administered may be challenged. Having an experienced DWI defense attorney, such as Derek Emmons, on your side can prove invaluable during this difficult and life-changing time.

Have you been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas? If so, it’s important to get legal representation immediately. Most people don’t know the law and can easily be intimidated by a DWI arrest. This makes it important to hire an experienced DWI attorney, such as Derek W. Emmons, to represent you when you need it most. With years of experience representing individuals like you, as well as a proven track record of successfully helping clients get their charges reduced or dropped, Attorney Derek Emmons has the knowledge and skill to aggressively advocate for your best interests.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation; call (210) 702-3054 or submit an online request form.