Have You Been Arrested for DWI?
A DWI conviction can severely impact your life, changing it in more ways
than you can imagine. Texas is very strict when it comes to DWI, and this
is reflected in the harsh penalties that come with conviction. The Lone
Star State uses a Three Strikes Rule–with each subsequent DWI conviction,
the penalties for the crime increase exponentially. To learn more about
Texas drunk driving and alcohol-related laws, check out this information from the
MADD website.
Because a DWI conviction on your record has the ability to throw your life
for a loop, it is important that you choose a criminal defense attorney
who knows what they are doing in the Austin court systems, has vast experience
in defending DWI charges, and has the ability and know-how to have your
charge lessened or dismissed. You will find this attorney at Carroll Troberman
Criminal Defense.
First Offense DWI
DWI penalties can be both emotionally and financially taxing, even for a
first offense DWI conviction. It is possible to experience harsh fines and increased insurance
rates, not to mention, a red flag on your record that will detrimentally
hinder future employment and/or educational opportunities. A first offense
for DWI can result in a jail sentence of up to 180 days or up to two years
probation, and a fine up to $2,000. Probation can include court-mandated
DWI education courses, community service and other restrictions on your
life. You face an automatic driverâs license suspension 40 days
after your arrest if you fail to request an administrative license revocation
(ALR) hearing within 15 days of the arrest.
You only have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request a license
hearing, so act quickly.
Second Offense DWI
A
second offense DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, the most serious of all misdemeanor charges.
When labeled a second DWI offender, the court may have little sympathy,
believing the accused failed to learn from past mistakes, and harsh penalties
could result. Therefore, a person convicted of a second DWI faces a minimum
term of confinement of 30 days up to 365 days in jail, plus a fine not
to exceed $4,000. With the aid of a good criminal defense attorney, a
person convicted of a second offense may be eligible for community supervision
(probation) instead, but will be required to serve a minimum of three
days in jail as a condition of community supervision. The persons driver's
license will be suspended for 180 days to up to as long as 2 years. Once
he/she can legally drive again, it may be required that an ignition interlock
device be installed to regularly check the person's BAC before the
car can be driven.
Third Offense DWI
A third DWI conviction is a third degree felony, and the resulting penalties
increase significantly compared to first and second offense DWI charges. A
third offense DWI is a very serious charge with a possible punishment range of 2 to 10 years
in prison. Even if a community service punishment is granted, a minimum
of 10 days in jail will be required. The personâs driverâs
license will be suspended for up to 2 years. Punishment for a third offense
DWI does not stop here, but there are many other possible penalties. For
instance, a third offense DWI could result in fines up to $10,000, a number
that does not include unforeseen additional fees, like pricey court costs.
Moreover, the court may require that an ignition interlock device be installed
in the driver's vehicle, and the conviction could land the driver
in various mandatory programs such as alcohol education and DWI repeat
offender classes, as well as substance abuse counseling.
Hire an Austin DWI Attorney Who Works Quickly
When you've been charged with DWI, you need to hire a strong legal
defense team immediately, professionals you can count on. The longer you
wait to get a lawyer, the less chance you'll have of getting your
case dismissed or your sentence reduced. Not to mention, you only have
15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing from the
day of your arrest in order to challenge the suspension of your driver's
license. For the sake of your case, it is crucial that you choose a DWI
attorney who also knows how to
act quickly. When you are charged for a DWI offense, it is important to get an experienced
DWI attorney who promptly responds to any of your legal questions and
will aggressively defend your case.
Hire an Austin DWI Attorney You Can Trust
Haste is not the only attribute you should look for in a criminal defense
attorney. When you hire a DWI attorney, your livelihood and future happiness
is officially in their hands. Therefore, it is in your best interest to
seek a dedicated attorney with these specific qualities: years of experience
in DWI defense, an impressive track-record in your court system, and the
know-how to aggressively fight for your case.
Why does experience matter? Your attorney’s knowledge and experience decides the outcome of
your case–it could mean the difference between a conviction and
an acquittal. Lastly, you want a compassionate DWI attorney who you can
trust to do each and everything possible to protect your rights and ultimately
provide you with the best case scenario.
Why Should You Choose Carroll Troberman Criminal Defense?
At Carroll Troberman Criminal Defense, we care deeply about our clients
and will aggressively defend your rights. Our
attorneys
Meredith "Shelly" Troberman and
Blair Carroll have excellent relationships with the prosecutors, judges and staff workers
at the Travis County Court and will work tirelessly to negotiate an outcome
you can live with.
Blair and Shelly have ample experience dealing with Texas DWI cases quickly
and effectively. Blair was recently nominated by his peers to the prestigious
National College of
DUI Defense. Shelly has years of experience prosecuting and defending DWI cases, and
her history as a prosecutor has made her an even savvier defender. Blair
and Shelly are both seasoned defense attorneys and know exactly how to
protect their client's rights, and if you choose to seek their legal
aid, it is our promise that you will not be disappointed.
Contact Us Today
When you're facing a DWI conviction, you need an Austin DWI defense
attorney you can count on. At Carroll Troberman Criminal Defense, we promise
to listen to you and fight incessantly for your rights. Blair Carroll
and Shelly Troberman are compassionate attorneys who understand what you
are going through–they will aggressively fight for you. Do not waste
any time, so call us today to
set up a free and confidential consultation.