Austin Texas DWI Attorney

Texas DWI prosecutions are on the increase. Texas laws on DWI have increased penalties over the years and will, in all likelihood, continue to do so. Choosing a good Austin, Texas DWI attorney is more important now than ever. Only an experienced attorney can give you good advice on whether to take your case to trial or whether to settle your DWI case through a favorable plea.

All DWI cases carry consequences beyond the simple criminal prosecution. Texas DPS will administratively attempt to impose your license suspension. If they succeed you may need to get a restricted driver’s license so that you can continue to legally drive during that suspension. The DWI Court procedure may attempt to impose an Ignition Interlock Device on your car, even before you are convicted, and make you pay for it. Fines for DWI in Texas are imposed upon conviction. The Department of Public Safety has a surcharge of at least $1,000 per year for three years.

There are many first offense DWI Texas cases, often involving people with no other criminal history. The Texas DWI penalty for such offenders is often an offer of a probated sentence, with no jail time. While that might sound good at first, it isn’t. A probated sentence is costly - typically involving a hundred dollars a month, or more, for 18 to 24 months. A probated sentence demands that you complete community service, take alcohol counseling as directed, and visit your probation officer as directed. You may very well have to give urine samples. You’ll need a travel permit to leave Travis County. If you fail to live up to these conditions, or if you commit another offense, you can be placed in jail, without a trial by jury.

A probated sentence still stays on your records. It cannot be expunged.
A probated sentence counts as a DWI. Your next DWI will be enhanced.
If your insurance company increases its rates for DWI, this will increase your rate.
A probated sentence still triggers the State DWI surcharge, whereby you pay $1,000 per year for three years.

It is important to fight every DWI case. An experienced Austin DWI defense lawyer will explore all possible ways of winning your DWI case and/or getting you the best negotiated deal possible. As DWI lawyers in Texas we have successfully handled many hundreds of DWI cases, including boating while intoxicated, repeat DWI offenses, felony enhancements, intoxication assault, and DWIs resulting in fatality. Put the experience of an Austin criminal attorney to work for you.