The cost of a DWI lawyer depends on various factors, including:
- How complicated your case is
- How long it takes to build and present your defense
- What type of fee agreement you sign with your lawyer
What a DWI Lawyer Can Do for You
If you have been accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI), you will want to do everything you can to avoid a conviction. This may include hiring a DWI lawyer to defend you.
What is a DWI lawyer’s job? In other words, what can they do for you? An attorney from our firm can do everything possible to build your defense, including:
- Providing you with a free consultation: When you first call our law firm, we will be happy to assess your case at no cost or obligation to you.
- Exploring your options: Your attorney will assess and explain all possible ways of approaching your case. This will help you make stronger legal decisions.
- Investigating your case: Evidence such as surveillance footage and witness statements can introduce doubt to the jury, compelling them to let you go.
- Seeking a dismissal or reduced charges: With sufficient evidence, your lawyer can ask a judge to dismiss all charges or charge you with a crime that carries lesser penalties.
- Representing you in court: If your case does go to trial, your lawyer will present your case before a judge and jury, striving to undermine the prosecution’s case.
Paying Legal Fees
Law firms may use various payment methods and fee structures. This is one of many things you should discuss with a prospective firm before you hire anyone.
DWI Penalties Can Be Very Severe
You may be reluctant to spend money on a DWI lawyer. However, not investing in legal representation can end up costing you far more. Per the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a DWI conviction can be costly. This is especially true if you have been convicted before.
Penalties That a Court May Hand Down
If this is your first DWI charge, then you could:
- Face a fine of up to $2,000
- Lose your license for as long as 1 year
- Go to jail for up to 6 months
Penalties get more severe with a second conviction. You could:
- Face a fine of up to $4,000
- Lose your license for as long as 2 years
- Go to prison for up to 1 year
By the time of your third conviction, you might:
- Have to pay a fine of up to $10,000
- Lose your license for as long as 2 years
- Go to prison for up to 10 years
Certain Charges May Increase Your Penalties
All of the penalties above will cost you money: fines take money directly out of your pocket, while a license suspension and jail time make it more difficult (if not impossible) for you to get to work. You may lose even more money if convicted of other alcohol-related offenses such as:
- Driving drunk with a child present in the vehicle
- Having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle
- Intoxication assault
Additional Penalties
Penalties like those described above are serious enough on their own. However, they do not represent the complete picture of how your life can change after a conviction. You may also:
- Lose your job
- Have trouble finding a job or a place to live
- Lose certain rights (e.g., the right to own a gun)
- Have to pay court fees
- Suffer psychological damage from your time in jail or prison
You can never expunge a DWI conviction from your record. The only way to prevent all of these penalties is to avoid a conviction. A DWI lawyer from our firm can help you do just that.
Why DWI Penalties are So Severe
It is against the law to drive drunk in any state, including Texas. This is according to Texas Penal Code § 49.04. Unfortunately, many people in Texas fail to follow this law. According to a 2020 National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) report:
- In 2019, 1,332 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents.
- Of all traffic fatalities in the state, 37 percent are alcohol related.
- Texas has the fifth–highest percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the country.
The high rate of alcohol-related traffic fatalities is part of the reason why authorities take cases of drunk driving—and even suspected drunk driving—so seriously. If you face a DWI charge, you should take it seriously as well and consider hiring our firm to protect your rights.
Get a Free Case Review
Contact our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to learn more about how much a DWI lawyer costs and what you get for your money. You can reach us at any time at (214) 696-9253. We are dedicated to providing our clients with responsive legal care, and we are ready to go to bat for you.
