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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Allowed to Remain on Parole Parole Revocation Hearing
Our client had been released on parole and was a model parolee, when one day he fell asleep and his nephew tampered with his ankle monitor. The client’s parole officer was furious and applied for a warrant for his arrest on a parole violation. The parole officer made a big show of his belief that our client was a danger to society and was attempting to cut his ankle monitor and run.
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Case Dismissed Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon
Our client was charged with felony Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon for allegedly pulling a boxcutter out during an altercation with another man. Our client had no prior contact with law enforcement. We thoroughly investigated the other party, and found that he had a history of violence and assault.
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Case Dismissed 2nd DWI
Our client was involved in a vehicle accident in La Grange where she was ejected from the vehicle and had to stay in the hospital. There was alcohol in the car, and she had prior DWIs. The ethanol levels in her blood came back at a .13 so she was charged with Driving While Intoxicated. This client was unaware that she was charged after she left the hospital which resulted in the charge of Bail Jumping. However she maintained that she had only an 8% functioning liver due and upon researching her medical hist
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Case Dismissed; Charges Reduced Two Counts of Sexual Assault of a Child
Our client was arrested after two girls he met online turned out to be underage. He was charged with four counts of sex assault of a child. The State interviewed the girls and obtained incriminating cell phone evidence, as well as evidence of drug use. The DA’s Office aggressively prosecuted this case and sought prison time.
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Case Dismissed DWI
Our client, a veteran, fell asleep at the wheel and was involved in an accident. He was arrested for DWI and refused to give a breath or blood sample to the police. He came to us concerned that a DWI conviction would put an end to his military benefits. We received a plea offer for a DWI conviction with 15 months of probation, but we knew we could do better.
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