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.