If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, you could face some very serious consequences including fines, jail time, probation and loss of driving privileges. A DWI or DUI (if under 21) conviction can follow you around for years.
If you have been arrested and charged with DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence), you may be wondering if you need to hire a DWI attorney. In some cases, defendants choose not to hire an attorney to handle their case because they cannot afford it, or for another reason.
If you are trying to decide whether or not you need an attorney, here are a few things to consider.
How will you plea?
Pleading guilty isn’t always the best answer. Although you may assume you will be convicted, a DWI attorney can offer you advice on the best option for your case. For example, if your blood alcohol content (BAC) was between .08 and .11, a conviction may be less certain. A DWI or DUI attorney will more equipped to bargain a plea and sentencing in your case.
Is this your first offense?
In many cases, judges hand down routine sentences for a first-time, non-injury offense. In Texas, penalties for a first offense may include: a fine of up to $2,000, jail time between three and 180 days, license suspension for up to two years, annual surcharge of up to $2,000 for three years to keep your license, DWI intervention or education program, ignition interlock device.
The penalties for second and third offenses become increasingly more severe and could include state prison time up to 10 years (for a third offense). If this is not your first offense, or if other people were injured as a result of your drunk driving, you definitely need an experienced DWI attorney on your side.
For more on Texas drunk driving penalties, click here.
If cost is a concern, ask the DWI attorney to provide total cost for representation up front. Laws vary from state to state, so be sure the attorney you select has plenty of experience with DWI and DUI cases in your.
If you have been charged with DWI or DUI, contact Roger Haynes, an experienced Dallas criminal defense attorney. Roger has taken hundreds of DWIs to trial and can help you avoid the potential pain and embarrassment of a criminal conviction on your record.