DWI-Driving While Intoxicated

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a serious charge in Texas. Penalties for DWI include heavy fines, loss of driving privilege, mandatory community service, and mandatory jail time. If you’ve been charged with DWI, you need to be aware of the potential penalties you might face, aggravating circumstances that could increase those penalties, and how hiring the right attorney to defend you against your DWI charge can help.

Penalties for a Denton County DWI

Texas drivers can be arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated if their breath or blood alcohol content is 0.08 or higher. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, if you refuse to take a breathalyzer or blood test, your license will automatically be suspended for 180 days. If you take the test and fail, you’ll be facing the following criminal charges and penalties for DWI.:

DWI First Offense
A first offense for Driving While Intoxicated is punishable by:

Fines up to $2,000.00
Jail time ranging from 72 hours to 180 days
Loss of driver’s license for up to a year

DWI Second Offense
The penalties for a second DWI charge are increased to:

Fines up to $4,000
30 days to a year in jail
Loss of driving privileges for up to 2 years

DWI Third Offense
A third DWI carries the same loss of driving privileges, but the potential fines and jail time are even more severe:

Fines up to $10,000
2-10 years in prison
Loss of driving privileges for up to 2 years (same as for 2nd offense)

In addition to the above penalties, once your license is returned, you will have to pay an annual fee of $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 years in order to retain your license

Additional Penalties for DWI

Under Title 10, Section 49 of the Texas Penal Code, Driving While Intoxicated is generally a misdemeanor. However, there are certain aggravating factors that can result in felony DWI charges. These include:

Sec. 49.065 Driving While Intoxicated With Child Passenger
A DWI with a child under the age of 15 in the car is a state felony.

Section 49.07 Intoxication Assault
If someone has been accidentally injured as the result of your DWI, the charge will be a 3rd degree felony.

Section 49.08 Intoxication Manslaughter
If there was an accident in which someone is killed as the result of your DWI, the charge is a 2nd degree felony.

Regardless of the degree, a felony is a serious charge which carries jail times ranging from 2-20 years and thousands of dollars in fines. A felony stays on your record, and could cost you your job, and prevent you from getting future employment.

Contact Our Experienced Texas DWI Attorney

If you’ve been charged with a DWI anywhere in Denton County Texas, regardless of the circumstances, you need to speak with an experienced DWI attorney right away. At the Wheeler Law office, we’re available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. We offer a free consultation, with flat fee pricing and payment plans to fit every budget. Call us today at (940)-465-3178. Serving all of Denton, County we’ll provide the hard hitting criminal defense you need, at a price you can afford.

Testimonials

I wholeheartedly endorse this Law Firm

I wholeheartedly endorse this Law Firm. They were hired to handle a felony theft charge on my daughter in Denton County arising from a domestic dispute with a roommate. Their experience as criminal defense attorneys, along with their excellent working relationship with clients and officials in the criminal defense system, make him an excellent choice to represent anyone facing criminal charges. I would definitely hire The Wheeler Law Offices again, should the occasion arise.

Timothy Holt
Denton, TX

I am very very pleased with their services

I had got a ticket when my insurance had expired and I found The Wheeler Law office and they got my ticket dismissed! I am very very pleased with their services and would recommend them to anyone and i will for sure be calling them again if need be.

Chad Davis

Denton, TX

I would absolutely recommend!!

We contacted The Wheeler Law Offices to handle a few tickets that had the potential to be “troublesome” – they handled them quickly AND were very good about keeping me in the loop regarding changes. Since that time, I have needed to contact them and he continued to be extremely helpful.

Michelle Cree

Denton, TX

This Firm took care of me

I hired them into 2013 my cases were a little different than most. I had 2 DWI cases back to back within four months. Most people would just assume that they would have to do jail time no matter what. But they not only kept me from doing jail time they took care of both cases in a manner that I believe only they could have done. I won’t say how much probation time I received. But I can tell you that it ended up being a ridiculously short amount of time. All that being said not only was I in trouble with the law but I lost my job. They help me out financially I was able to pay them when I had the chance. And I can say with all honesty and certainty it was worth every penny If you are in trouble with any such cases that they take care of I can guarantee you will not be displeased. They take care of things in a very professional and friendly way. The Wheeler Law Offices are easy-going and very professional and I would hire them again anytime.

C Hubanks

Denton, TX

Best case scenario

Not only are they very neat and presentable, but they were also nice and very personable in a very nerve wracking and foreign time for me. They were always upfront and never promised what they couldn’t handle. I believe time on the prosecution side at the District Attorneys office helped them know what to expect and to get my case dismissed. I hope I never need to but I would definitely use their services again, and recommend them to anyone else in need.

Providence Village, TX

They are outstanding attorneys!

They successfully dismissed my DWI case! They also successfully overturned my drivers license suspension. They were always available to answer my questions and keep me informed during the entire process. I am extremely thankful for their hard work on my behalf. I would strongly recommend The Wheeler Law Offices to represent you. They are very knowledgable about the court process and how to successfully represent facts to the judge. My results prove their effectiveness. I am truly thankful they represented me.

Travis Boren

Roanoke, TX

The Wheeler Law Office was AWESOME!!

They got my DWI down to an obstruction of passageway MID TRIAL! They helped me out with a payment plan and was available anytime I had a question. They kept me up to date on everything happening and were amazing to work with. They’ve been straight forward about my case and continue to give me great legal advice. If you find yourself in this situation, my condolences, it’s no fun but this is your Law Firm. They were great!!

Bethany

Lewisville, TX

They got my DWI dropped down to obstruction of the road!!

I got arrested for DWI, I needed a very good attorney to help me out. The moment my father and I walked into their office, I knew they were the attorneys for me! They know exactly what they are doing and I am very pleased with their services. I would highly recommend them to anyone, and without a doubt will call them if needed again. They got my DWI charges dropped down to an obstruction of the road charge. That is very impressive!

Miranda Flores

Flower Mound, TX

Really knows hows too help! Life saver

They are really really good attorneys that handled two of my cases both were pretty serious charges and one them got dismissed and will also work with you with payments if money is ever an issue. They are the best I was lucky enough to find such a good attorney like them if anything they will be the one firm I will ever go too.

Juanita

Denton, TX

They are the best defense attorneys…

The Wheeler Law Offices are the best defense attorneys I’ve ever met and worked with, they worked very hard to see that my charges were reduced. Excellent attorney glad I had them to represent me.

Clarence R.