In the state of Texas, you can have a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge reduced if your lawyer can negotiate a deal with the prosecutor or prove that your arrest or charge was not handled correctly. As an arrestee, under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, you have rights that include having a Miranda warning read to you at the time you were arrested. A DWI can also be reduced if your lawyer can prove errors were made or evidence that will be used against you was improperly obtained.
Know Your Rights When You Are Arrested for DWI
Even when you are arrested on suspicion of drinking while driving, you still have rights that must be honored and respected. Among them is the right to have a Miranda warning read and explained to you in a language you can readily understand.
You must be informed of the following:
- Your right to remain silent and refuse to make any statements to the police
- Your right to know that any statement you make might be used against you
- Your right to have a lawyer present during any questioning by police
- Your right to a state-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one of your own
- Your right to end a police interview at any time
These rights are guaranteed to you and will be an important part of your criminal case. If any of these rights are violated when you are arrested, your lawyer might be in a position to have a pending DWI charge reduced.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a DWI Charge
Being charged with a DWI can change your life in more ways than one. It can negatively impact your community standing and jeopardize your plans for the future.
Some of the reasons why you may want to have a DWI charge reduced include:
- You could face license suspension, which can impact how you travel to and from your job
- You could face time in prison, depending on the severity of the offense
- You could face substantial fines that could put your financial security in jeopardy
- You risk having your DWI conviction come up on any subsequent background checks
When you work with a Dallas DWI lawyer, their ultimate goal is to either have your DWI charge dropped or reduced. Your lawyer can also help you understand the lesser crimes you might be charged with and the penalties they carry.
If you are involved in a car collision while intoxicated, your charge increases from a misdemeanor to a felony, which can mean incarceration. Additionally, you can never have your criminal record sealed if you are convicted. This is one of the most significant reasons you should consider working with a lawyer who can help you negotiate a reduced charge and avoid the life-altering consequences of a DWI conviction.
Understand the Severity of a DWI Conviction
If you are charged with a DWI in Texas, it means your blood alcohol concentration was found to be higher than the legally allowed limit of .08.
If this is your first DWI charge, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, you could face:
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Losing your driver’s license for up to a year
These penalties only increase in severity if you are charged with a DWI on multiple occasions.
A lawyer can serve as your advocate and might be able to help you receive a reduced DWI charge with lesser consequences. If you or a family member is facing DWI charges, a Dallas DWI attorney can help you minimize the damage to your life and career.
Get Help Reducing a Pending DWI Charge
A DWI can have far-reaching impacts on both your personal and professional life. It can limit your ability to transport yourself to and from work. It can also make getting your family around difficult and limit your ability to engage in your chosen leisure activities.
If a DWI charge can be reduced, it can lessen the impacts on your life. When you work with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, you can have the peace of mind that a dedicated law firm is going to work for you. Our founding partner, Randall B. Isenberg, has over 30 years of experience handling these types of cases, with extensive work as a former prosecutor and state district judge.
Our team wants to get started on your case today. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 today.
