Yearly Archives - 2012

Zero Tolerance for Under 21 DWI in Dallas

Facing a DWI charge as a minor can be a frightening experience that resulted from one mistake you will come to regret immediately. In Texas, there is a zero tolerance law for people under the age of 21. If a minor is found with any amount of alcohol in their system whatsoever and is behind the wheel of a car, that minor will be charged with driving while intoxicated and needs legal help fast from a knowledgeable Dallas DWI attorney.

As a kid, you have your whole life ahead of you and facing criminal charges can both utterly frightening and completely daunting. You never thought you would have to deal with something so young in life and didn’t believe a little bit of alcohol could cause so much harm. But, the fact is it was illegal for you to be drinking at all, much less drinking and then driving.  And, just because you are a minor, it does not mean a conviction will not show as part of your criminal record. Unless you go to court to have your record sealed, it will. If as an adult, you make this mistake again you can be tried as a second-time offender and face even harsher charges.

Your Dallas DWI lawyer will explain to you the consequences of a conviction while he prepares your case. If you are under 21, your DWI charge is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and you can face a fine of up to $500. You license can be suspended for up to two months and you may be required to perform 20-40 hours of community service. You may also be required to complete an alcohol awareness class. If you are under 18, you can face the same penalties as you would if you were between the ages of 18 and 21, but your parent or guardian will be required to accompany you to any court appearance. Your parent or guardian may also have to attend any alcohol education program a judge sentences you to.

If you are convicted of a DWI, learn from your mistake. If you only experience this one conviction, it may be expunged from your record after you turn 21, but not if you have subsequent charges. To help avoid any conviction, cooperate with your lawyer and be honest with him or her about the incident in question. If you or your parents are not sure of your rights, call a DWI lawyer in Dallas today for help.

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Drugs Can Also Equal a Dallas DWI

Alcohol is not the only thing that can lead to a DWI charge. Although it is what most people think of when they hear the words “driving while intoxicated”, intoxication itself can also mean drugs, even if the drugs are legal. If any substance impairs your mental capabilities at all, you can be considered unfit to get behind the wheel of a car. No matter what type of DWI you may be charged with, you need to have an experienced Dallas DWI attorney by your side to present the best defense possible.

An officer in Texas has the right to pull you over if he feels your driving is reckless and suspects you may be intoxicated. He may ask you to perform a few field sobriety tests before then asking you to submit to a Blood Alcohol Concentration test at the scene. If you were driving under the influence of drugs, a BAC test will mean nothing and the officer also will have the right to search your car. If illegal drugs are found, you may be facing more than just a DWI charge and can be facing possession charges as well, having more of a need for a DWI attorney in Dallas than ever.

After explaining your case to your Dallas DWI lawyer, one with experience and know how will investigate everything that happened leading up to charges being brought against you. Everything the officer did had to have been done according to rules and procedures, and one misstep on the officer’s part can break a prosecutor’s case. While a sign of integrity in an attorney is him or her being honest with you about what you are up against, you must also be honest with your attorney  about the circumstances that led up to your arrest so that you are both on the same page and there are no surprises in court.

A DWI conviction, as well as a conviction for possessing illegal narcotics, can have a profound effect on the rest of your life, as well as your family’s life. You can face jailtime, as well as a license suspension and steep fines. You may end up with a criminal record that can affect both your current employment and also future employment opportunities. Texas takes these kinds of offenses seriously and so should you. If you are facing this type of uphill battle, call a DWI lawyer in Dallas today for help.

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Common Penalties for a DWI in Dallas

Whether you are a first-time offender or not, a DWI charge in the state of Texas can be a frightening experience as you wonder how it will impact the rest of your life. Although it is considered a Class B misdemeanor, it is still a criminal charge with serious consequences. You can face steep fines that you may not be able to afford, as well the time behind bars. The state of your drivers’ license is also at stake and you face the possibility of losing it for an extended period of time. Hiring an experienced Dallas DWI attorney to represent you in a case like this is key to your case and an honest attorney will educate you on what you are up against.

There are different penalties depending on whether this is your first time charged and convicted for a DWI offense. If it is your first time, you may be forced to pay a fine of up to $2,000 and also face the possibility of a jail sentence that can be a minimum of three days, but a maximum of 180 days. You can also lose your license for as little as 90 days and as long as one year. While the legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration in Texas is .08%, if your BAC was .15% or more, you face the possibility of being tried as a second-time offender and if convicted, that can come with even harsher penalties. Your fine can be much more steep and as high as $5,000, and you face the possibility of anywhere from 30 days to one year behind bars. Your license can also be revoked for as little as six months and as much as two years.  A second time offender charge is also classified as a misdemeanor and not a felony, but a DWI attorney in Dallas is just as critical and necessary.

If it your third DWI offense, then felony charges in the third degree can come into play. Your fine can be as high as $10,000 and you can spend up to 10 years in jail. If there was any bodily harm done when driving while intoxicated whether it is your first offense or not, 10 years in jail may also be necessary. If a death occurred, this can be considered intoxication manslaughter and you can be facing a 20-year prison sentence, but a good Dallas DWI lawyer can help you get a lesser sentence.

A Texas DWI charge is a serious matter that requires serious attention no matter how severe. For the help you need in court, call a DWI lawyer in Dallas today.

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Your Dallas DWI License Hearing

A DWI charge in Texas can involve a variety of court dates, not all of which are criminal. One of the most important court dates you need to make sure you are prepared for is the one involving your license suspension. If you refuse to take a test to determine your Blood Alcohol Concentration or you fail a BAC test, then you will need to attend what is known as an Administrative License Revocation hearing. Success at this hearing is imperative to your financial wellbeing if you need to drive to and from work each day or if you even drive as part of your job. Your best bet is to not go it alone and have an experienced Dallas DWI lawyer by your side.

Your license will be automatically suspended if you do not make the effort to request an ALR hearing as soon within 15 days of receiving a notice of suspension. You can request and attend this hearing on your own or you can have your DWI lawyer in Dallas request one for you and prepare an adequate case for you getting your license back. Make sure whichever lawyer you choose is experienced at ALR hearings, as well as with Texas DWI criminal proceedings and laws. Your lawyer will question you on whether you were informed of your rights at the time the charges were brought against you regarding your license and other aspects of your DWI case. And, the ALR hearing will be an excellent place for your Dallas DWI attorney to learn and get a feel for how the prosecutor will try the criminal portion of the DWI proceedings.

A DWI charge can be a costly one, and your license may be the first thing you need to pay for. When your license is reinstated, a $125 fee will be required. This can be in addition to any fines leveled against you if you are criminally convicted at a later date. If you do not win the argument at your ALR hearing and your license is indeed suspended, it can be for up to 180 days if this is your first offense. If this is your second offense in a 10-year period, then you can lose your license for up to two years. A DWI case is no laughing matter whether it is your first time facing one or not. Call a DWI attorney in Dallas today to get the help that you need.

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The Right Dallas DUI Attorney to Take Your Case

A DWI charge in Texas can be a serious offense. Although it is classified as a Class B misdemeanor if it is a first-time offense, you can still face a license suspension, jail time and steep fines you many barely be able to afford after court fees and possibly missing days of work. It can change the course of your entire life, not just the present, and in this case your best offense is a good defense. That is why who you choose as your Dallas DWI attorney is of the utmost importance.

Being arrested for a DWI can be a traumatic and frightening event that can leave your mind cluttered. You know you have to find a lawyer, but have no idea where to start. Do you just pick a name out of the Yellow Pages and go from there or do you do your research to make sure you are making the right choice of representation? Of course the answer is to do your research as best as you can. While the Yellow Pages might be one resource, another more modern one is the Internet.

You can even use it to read testimonials from both lawyers and client. Another excellent resource is the Texas bar association, where you can get a list of Dallas DWI lawyers, as well as their credentials. Once you have a short list, your next job is to call a few attorneys and briefly discuss your case. You can often get a feel for who you will work well with from a phone call, but it is always best to meet in person before hiring someone to defend you in a criminal case.

At a meeting with a DWI attorney in Dallas, ask him or her about their success rate and how long they have been practicing. Be wary if they seem to promise you outcomes that seem to be good to be true for your situation and know that up front honesty regarding the uphill battle you may face is a sign of true integrity. Also, a good rapport with your attorney is imperative. You will be spending a lot of time together as he or she investigates your case and prepares a defense. Most importantly, know that you are not alone when facing DWI charges and that there are professionals who can help. Call a DWI lawyer in Dallas today to find the help you need.

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An Overview on DWI Infractions in Dallas

What do you mean by driving under intoxication? In Texas (and in most parts of the US), driving while under the influence involves running any vehicular machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Because drug intoxication is also a part of the criminal offense, the phrase ‘drunk driving’ is not always the same term.

Texas police officers make use of sobriety tests to check whether the driver is intoxicated or not.  The minute the police officer is able to establish that the person operating a vehicle is intoxicated with drugs or has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .08 or above, that particular person can be apprehended. In case of a minor, there’s no normal volume of alcohol content as long as it has been confirmed that the offender is intoxicated, even just a bit, the person may be arrested.

But then, several of the devices utilized by policeman have been found to be unreliable, and that’s why there are more and more people charged with DWI who are able to incur acquittal. But that is by making use of the help of a Dallas DWI attorney. In addition to this, there are other defenses that can be helpful to win the case. If ever you’re charged with DWI in Dallas, the best possible thing that you can do is to hire a good law firm. The lawyer will fundamentally educate you of how DWI prosecutions can be disputed.

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DWI in Dallas – Facing the Tough Penalties

The Texan government is very strict on DWI offenses. If you are a tourist in Texas and you plan to hang out with some pals and do some bar-hopping, then don’t ever dare to drive after. You can be accused and even convicted of DWI infraction. An offense in the DWI statute can range from a misdemeanor to a serious offense, so you better be careful.

If you’re ready to face the penalties, then it’s fine.  But if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars, be careful.  The fine may be around $ 4,000 to $ 10,000 with respect to the infraction committed. It may additionally lead to the cancellation of your license to drive for a specified period of time.

Still, there’s hope.  If you are charged with DWI in Dallas, you can escape being incarcerated in a Dallas County Jail. You can do this by getting an excellent counsel. Contacting a Dallas DWI Lawyer Law firm or bureau may spare you from all the unexpected penalizations, not forgetting the embarrassment and shame that the whole experience may bring to you.

Conviction for DWI

The penalty that usually arises from DWI judgment of conviction depends on the type of suit lodged against you. As expected, the lighter the infraction perpetrated, the lighter the punishment becomes. But even so, punishments are punishments, and infraction or crime can significantly destroy your record and reputation.

Aside from being incarcerated, paying fines, and having your license to drive taken; the judicature normally will oblige you to serve community service, or attend an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program to make sure you don’t go drunk-driving again. The worst part is that a conviction will basically put your name in a list of offenders. No one wants to be called a felon! Even real criminals don’t want to be called such a word. Likewise, people can in no time access your DWI records. DWI felony records can still remain attached to your name despite many years passing since the conviction.

If you don’t desire these things to come about, better be careful when driving and know more about the laws – things that constitute a violation and things that don’t. But of course, there are instances that we can’t just control or we can be illegally accused by any cop. Whatever the case, you need to call Dallas DWI Lawyer Law at once in order to arrange legal assistance. You might have the charges against you dropped if you will use a very skillful DWI attorney.

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What Happens when you’re charged with DWI in Dallas, Texas?

DWI in Dallas

They say ignorance of the law excuses no one. Aside of this, ignorance of the law can lead you to many troubles.  Before, driving while intoxicated was just considered to be a minor offense. But because of the growing percentages of road mishaps concerning adult and underage drivers, DWI has developed into a phenomenal matter and was became a serious offense. In many states, DWI is even considered to be a felony.

In Texas (and in several parts of the US), driving while under the influence means operating any vehicular machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Basically because drug intoxication is also a portion of the offense, the phrase drunk driving may not be the most likely term.

The minute a police officer is able to prove that the person behind the wheel is intoxicated with drugs or has a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 8% and up, you can get seized. In case of underage (those of you who are under 21 years old), there’s no total amount of alcohol content for as long as it has been verified that the offender is intoxicated even just a bit, that person may be apprehended.

Reliability of Sobriety Tests

On the other hand, many of the instruments utilized by police officer are found to be undependable, hence there are a lot of people charged with DWI are able to obtain acquittal. But that is naturally with the assistance of Dallas DWI lawyer law. Furthermore, there are different defenses that can be useful to win the case and if ever you’re charged with DWI in Dallas, the most important thing that you can do is use a practiced law firm. The lawyer will basically prepare you for how DWI prosecutions can be challenged.

On the part of first time wrongdoers, the DWI violation is known as the Class B Misdemeanor. The penalization may include imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine of $ 4,000. That’s horrible isn’t it? Just consider if you have committed the criminal offense for a second or third time! The penalization may also include the so called surcharges, which are payable annually for a specified number of years, depending on gravity of the offense. On the third offense, DWI encroachment will then be considered as a serious feloniy with a penalization of imprisonment that may are as long as 10 years.

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Some Things You Should to Know About DWI

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a very common offense in almost all parts of the world.  If you live in the US, knowing what constitutes DWI is indispensable because ignorance of the law often leads you to many troubles. What  is DWI?  Let’s take a look on one of the most widely known offenses in Texas, driving while intoxicated.

What is driving under intoxication?

In Texas, motoring while under the influence signifies running any vehicular machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Drug intoxication is also a component of the offense so the word drunk driving may not be the most appropriate term.

The moment a police officer is able to prove that person behind the wheel is intoxicated with drugs or has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .08 or above, you can be apprehended. In the cases of minor (individuals who are under 21 years old), there’s no overall amount of alcohol content as long as it is established that the offender is intoxicated, even just a little, that person may be apprehended.

Then again, a lot of the equipment used by police officers has been found to be unreliable, and that is why there are many people accused with DWI are able to receive acquittal. But, that is naturally using the help of Dallas DWI lawyer law. In addition to, there are other defenses that can be used to win the case. If ever you’re accused with DWI in Dallas, the best thing that you can do is get an expert law firm. The lawyer will basically guide you in how DWI prosecutions are usually challenged.

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DWI Violation That Can Spoil Your Life

Have you ever imagined yourself in front of the police because they have asked you to step down from your car to face legal charges for violating DWI?  Everyday, there are numerous cases of DWI violations all over America.  What most people don’t realize is that this offense can be one thing that can ruin their lives. DWI offense is a felony.  Meaning, it’s a criminal offense.  This is something that you don’t want to commit because it’s not erased from your record until after some time.

Consequences of Committing DWI Offense

DWI violations entail a lot of penalties.  It could be getting imprisoned for a specified period of time, forfeiture of the driver’s license of the offender, and paying fines.  Of course, when you have a criminal record, it can be difficult for you to get a job or to get promoted.  Some people think that it’s okay because since the record will be wiped clear after several years, it will not matter.  But according to studies, people who are charged with DWI once are more likely to commit the same violation again.  This is why employers may not favor DWI offenders.

Another consequence that people may face with DWI is vehicle insurance problems.  Once a person is charged and convicted of DWI, the cost of his/her insurance plan will greatly increase!  Of course, the insurance company would want to keep its interest secured as much as possible.  During car accidents resulting from DWI, it’s the insurance company that may pay for most expenses.  Once you got a record, you might find it hard to find an insurance company that will offer you affordable rates.

What to Do

Another mistake that many offenders commit is not hiring a legal counsel.  They think that they can do it alone but in the end, they’ll get to face heavy penalties instead.  If in any case you’re confronted with this offense, it’s better to act promptly and seek help.  There’s one good way deal with the issue.  That is to get in touch with a Dallas DWI Attorney Law office.  You will need to be assisted by a good lawyer who will help you understand the legal process of DWI charges.  A reputable lawyer is the one who is knowledgeable about the case, has considerable experience with DWI issues, and is dedicated in helping out his/her clients.

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