DWI Penalties in Collin County, Texas
Texas' Increased Awareness
The State of Texas is currently in the list of top 5 states for their number of DWI arrests each year. With a "zero-tolerance" policy towards drunk driving, Texas law enforcement officers are focused on not only arresting individuals for driving while intoxicated, but also in getting convictions for these drivers.
For this very reason, if you are facing DUI charges it is imperative that you retain knowledgeable legal assistance. With the help of a lawyer named Collin County Criminal Court Trial Lawyer of the Year from 2009-2011, rest assured that I will aggressively fight for your rights during a DWI case.
Understanding the Severity Involved
Many individuals may not realize the impact that one night of driving while drunk can have on their entire life. Depending on the circumstances, penalties can drastically affect the driver's freedom and independence. When it is not the first offense, law enforcement do not take kindly to the fact that it is a repeated crime on the driver's record. Consequences grow in their level of harshness if any individuals are injured or killed and if property is damaged as the result of a DWI charge. The following is a list of the basic penalties associated with each DUI conviction:
First DWI:
- Jail time from just a few hours to 6 months
- Up to $2,000 in fines
- License suspension up to one year
- Fee of $1,000 each year for three years to retain a license
Second DWI:
- Jail time for up to one year
- Up to $4,000 in fines
- License suspension up to two years
- Fee of $1,500 each year for three years to retain a license
Third DWI:
- Prison sentence from 2 to 10 years
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- License suspension up to two years
- Fee of $2,000 each year for three years to retain a license
While those penalties are written into Texas' State laws, there are additional consequences you may have to suffer from a DWI case. Employment may become significantly more difficult as most companies perform background checks before hiring new employees. A current employer may even fire someone who has even just been charged with driving under the influence, especially if their work entails any amount of driving. Drivers education courses may be required to be taken again and your insurance rate can also increase due to the fact that a driver with a DWI on their record is considered more unstable and unsafe.
Costing time, money, possibly your job and the respect of others, it is vital that you obtain my legal services. I have had success gaining 250 "not guilty" trial verdicts; an astonishing number considering that I have only been practicing law since 2006. I utilize my exemplary communication skills with the jury and my aggressive tactics against the prosecutor to acquire the results desired.
Fighting Against DWI Conviction
One of my first goals when looking at a DWI case is to determine how the actual arrest happened. Police and sheriffs must always have reasonable cause to pull a driver over. In the event that the officer that did not have sufficient cause to do so it could greatly assist any DUI case. When administering a Field Sobriety Test or a
breath/blood test, there are various factors that can greatly alter the results from these kinds of tests.
There are three types of Field Sobriety Tests including the Nystagmus Test, Walk and Turn and the One Leg Stand. All of these tests measure the driver's ability to have control over their body, be coherent, understand instructions and do what is required by the law officer. The goal of these physical exercises is to prove whether or not the individual driving is inebriated in any way.
While they may appear straight forward, there are a myriad of elements at work that can influence the results. If the driver is older or they are heavier in weight, it may be difficult for them to remain standing for a long period of time. Weather conditions can be extremely cold, terribly hot or windy and cause fatigue, stiff joints or stumbling that may come across as drunken behavior. Any mental disorders, illnesses, or previous bodily injuries that the driver has experienced may come into play as well. Do not simply accept your DUI charges as a fact before you speak with a lawyer. A legal representative that is up to date on these common misconceptions of Field Sobriety Tests may be able to clear your case.
"The DWI Trial Guy™" for Collin County
Are you looking for a DWI lawyer in Collin County, Texas? Building a strong reputation as a qualified and successful lawyer in such a short period of time, I, Attorney Troy Burleson, will take on any DWI case. There is nothing too great or too insignificant for me and my team to handle. Included in the list of Texas Super Lawyers ® Rising Star SM, I was chosen as one of the top lawyers under 40 years of age who has had less than 10 years of experience. This not only demonstrates my widespread renown as a knowledgeable Plano DWI defense attorney, it reveals my dedication to my clients.
Receiving a 5-star client rating on the premier legal website, Avvo®, I know how to serve the residents of Texas with hard work, commitment and compassion. Allow me to provide the legal assistance you need to fight your DUI penalties by getting in touch with my office today.
Call me at (866) 439-2182 or fill out a free evaluation online today!