Can a Law Firm Help with DWI Cases?
There are many situations in which having a lawyer on your side can help your case. A DWI charge is one of them. With the help of a DWI law firm, you could lessen your penalties from charges and get your license reinstated quicker. A lawyer will be able to gather all the facts about the case and build you a strong defense. A DWI charge can cost you your license, stopping you from continuing with your daily life and responsibilities. But with the help of your attorney, you can navigate court proceedings quickly and efficiently to get back to your routine.
What Are the Penalties for a DWI Charge?
According to Texas state law, you are legally impaired if driving with a blood alcohol content over 0.08. If police pull you over and you are driving intoxicated, you face hefty fines and other penalties. The specifics of your penalties will depend on a few factors, such as your previous driving record and whether or not your intoxicated driving caused an accident.
For drivers for whom this is their first DWI offense and no accident occurred, penalties include:
- Up to $2000 in fines
- Up to 180 days in jail (a minimum of three days is mandatory)
- Up to one year of driver’s license suspension
And for drivers with one DWI offense on record and for whom no accident occurred, penalties include:
- Up to $4000 in fines
- Up to one year in jail
- Up to two years of driver’s license suspension
For drivers who have two or more offenses or for drivers who caused an accident resulting in injury or death, penalties include:
- Up to $10000 in fines
- Up to ten years in jail
- Up to two years of driver’s license suspension
The judge may add additional state fines between $3000 and $6000 during the sentencing hearing.
How a DWI Law Firm Can Help
Texas courts take Intoxicated driving charges seriously. Even if there wasn’t an accident, you could face severe fines and jail times, as well as the loss of your license. With the help of a DWI law firm, however, you can build a strong defense and help get your life back on track.
Building Your Case
A DWI lawyer knows about all the specifics of driving laws in Texas. Their knowledge and experience can also help you save money and time on fines and penalties. For example, DWI checkpoints have strict guidelines they need to follow in order to secure a DWI conviction. If you were charged with intoxicated driving at a checkpoint that was not following these rules, you could have your case dismissed, or your penalties lessened. A DWI lawyer is going to make sure that your rights are protected at every step of the process.
Navigating Court Procedures
When you face a DWI charge, there’s a lot you need to go through to get back on the right side of the law. Not only do you have to attend the initial hearings and trials, but you’ll also have to navigate the DMV process of getting your license back. A DWI lawyer will have all the knowledge you need to quickly and efficiently navigate these processes. They can attend hearings with you. They can tell you step-by-step how to complete all the work required to get your license back. This way, you can return to your daily life.
Reducing Fees
If your DWI charge involved an accident, you’re most likely to be the immediate at-fault driver. This means you must pay financial compensation to other drivers involved. However, thanks to Texas’s modified comparative negligence laws, you may not have to pay the entire amount due. According to Texas law, a driver can only seek a compensation amount relative to their fault in an accident. This means that if a driver you hit while intoxicated was texting at the time, they could be considered partially at fault as they weren’t fully paying attention to the road. While you are still over 50% at fault and therefore responsible for financial compensation, you’ll owe less than the full amount.
Texas DWI Law Firm
If you are facing DWI charges, you don’t have to face them alone. The Hager Law is an experienced DWI law firm that is here to help you. DWI charges carry heavy fines and penalties, but we believe that one mistake shouldn’t cost you your regular life. For help with DWI charges, give us a call today at (903) 466-0001 for a consultation about your case.