Williamson County DWI Defense Lawyer
Have You Been Arrested for DWI in Texas?
A DWI charge is a serious criminal offense in Texas. If convicted, you could face severe penalties, including but not limited to:
- Fines
- Jail time
- Loss of license
- Mandatory alcohol education classes
If you have been arrested for DWI in Williamson County, you need to take action immediately. An experienced Williamson County DWI defense attorney can help you fight your charges and protect your rights. At Smith & Vinson Law Firm, our skilled legal team is ready to help you. We know how to fight a DWI charge and we are prepared to put our experience to work for you.
Call (512) 359-3743 or contact us online today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
What Is the Statutory Definition of DWI in Texas?
The Texas Transportation Code defines driving while intoxicated (DWI) as driving while:
- Intoxicated
- Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Incapable of safely driving a vehicle
This means that you can be charged with DWI even if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of .08 percent. You can be charged with DWI even if you are not visibly intoxicated. You can be charged with DWI even if you are sober but your ability to drive has been compromised by drugs or alcohol.
How is DWI Proven in Texas?
Texas law requires that the prosecution prove each element of DWI beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution must prove that you were intoxicated while operating a vehicle.
The prosecution will attempt to prove that you were intoxicated in one of the following ways:
- Driving in a way that indicated you were intoxicated
- Slurred speech
- Odor of alcohol
- Bloodshot or watery eyes
- Poor coordination
- Unable to walk a straight line
- Speech that was slurred
- Poor motor skills
- Unable to perform field sobriety tests
In order to prove that you were intoxicated, the prosecution will likely attempt to have you take a field sobriety test. These tests are not foolproof and can be difficult to perform accurately. The police officer giving the test is often not an expert in administering these tests. Your Austin DWI defense attorney can help you challenge the results of any field sobriety tests.
What are the Penalties for DWI in Texas?
A first DWI offense in Texas is punishable by:
- Fine: Up to $2,000.
- Jail Time: A minimum of 72 hours up to a maximum of 180 days.
- License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year.
- Additional Costs: Annual surcharge of $1,000 to $2,000 for three years to retain the driver's license.
- Education Program: Completion of a 12-hour DWI education program.
A second DWI offense is punishable by:
- Fine: Up to $4,000.
- Jail Time: A minimum of 30 days up to a maximum of 1 year.
- License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years.
- Additional Costs: Annual surcharge of $1,500, $1,000, or $2,000 for three years to retain the driver's license.
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Installation of an IID for a period determined by the court.
- Education Program: Completion of a 32-hour DWI education program.
A third DWI is punishable by:
- Fine: Up to $10,000.
- Jail Time: A minimum of 2 years up to a maximum of 10 years.
- License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years.
- Additional Costs: Annual surcharge of $1,500, $1,000, or $2,000 for three years to retain the driver's license.
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Installation of an IID for a period determined by the court.
- Education Program: Completion of a 32-hour DWI education program.
For fourth and subsequent DWI offenses, the penalties can include increased fines, longer jail sentences, longer license suspensions, and other severe consequences. The penalties become more severe with each subsequent offense.
It's worth noting that these penalties can be enhanced further if certain aggravating factors are present, such as causing serious injury or death while driving under the influence or having a BAC level above a certain threshold.
Contact Our Williamson County DWI Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for DWI, you need to take action immediately. An experienced Williamson County DWI defense attorney can help you fight your charges and protect your rights. At Smith & Vinson Law Firm, our skilled legal team is ready to help you. We know how to fight a DWI charge and we are prepared to put our experience to work for you.
Contact our Williamson County DWI defense attorney from Smith & Vinson Law Firm to discuss your case today. We are available 24/7 for clients. Call us at (512) 359-3743.
A Proven Track Record
Check Out Our Recent Case Results
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Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
Our client was a mother who had allowed her adult son and family to move in with her due to some hardship. After a family dinner a heated discussion between our client and her daughter in law turned into a physical altercation.
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Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
Our client was charged with Assault Family Violence during an altercation with his girlfriend after a night out on 6th Street. The complaining witness had a concussion and bite marks on her nose. Upon investigation we learned that the complaining witness had started the fight by pushing and biting our client.
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Case Dismissed Terroristic Threat
Our client was reportedly heard making terroristic threats by some members of his seventh-grade class. Police charged him with a felony. Our client was a boy scout who was well-liked by teachers but had developed ADHD and was being bullied.
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Case Dismissed Felony POCS & Probation Violation
Our client was charged with an POCS 3rd degree felony while on probation in another county for a DWI 2nd. The car he was in was pulled over and, after officers obtained the consent of the driver, the car was searched. The police found cocaine in the vehicle and our client took responsibility.
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Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
Our client was charged with Assault Family Violence after an argument with his girlfriend in their shared residence. At the time of his arrest our Client was a young father who also worked for the city. Having this charge put him as risk of losing a custody battle for his child and his stable employment.
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The Defense You Need
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Passionate About Helping People Get What They Deserve
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Former Prosecutors on the Team
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