DWI - First Offense

Most DWIs start off with a traffic violation or after there has been a collision.  From there officers ask you to perform field sobriety tests including an eye test, a 9 step walk and turn, and a one leg stand.  After these tests the officer will read a document requesting a breath or blood sample.  If you refuse and the police don't get a warrant for your blood then the case will be tried as a "refusal."  This means the State may try to prove that you were guilty of DWI because you lost the normal use of your mental or physical faculties as opposed to having an alcohol concentration greater than .08.  Contact us for your free consultation so we can explore the options available to you in your case. 

PUNISHMENT RANGE: Class B 0-180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

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DWI - Second Offense

If you were given a breath test on the side of the road the police can't use it against you at trial.  Only a certified and properly functioning Intoxylizer device kept in a secure facility can be used during a jury trial.  There are numerous ways to challenge a breath test including variations in temperature, maintenance log issues, and challenges under Texas Rule of Evidence 702 challenging the witnesses of the State.  

PUNISHMENT RANGE: Class B 0-180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine, Class A 0-365 days in jail and up to a $4000 fine if over .15 alcohol level. 

DWI - Third Offense

DWI  - Third or more offenses are almost always accompanied by bond conditions requiring you to report to a  probation office and install a device in your car that measures the alcohol content of your breath.  Harris County Judges often require these things even prior to being convicted of a criminal offense.  You need to have an attorney that isn't afraid of trial on a DWI - Third because the punishment range increases dramatically. 

PUNISHMENT RANGE: Third Degree Felony, 2-10 years prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Blood Testing

You can still avoid a conviction even if the police took your blood.  Blood from DWI cases is often not taken according to the proper legal procedures and the validity of samples can be compromised in the process.  Even high blood test cases can be won, especially when the client does not appear intoxicated on video during the field sobriety testing phase.  As members of the vehicular crimes team Brian and Luis learned about DWI blood draw investigations from start to finish and were routinely dispatched to the scene of DWI crashes that involved serious bodily injury or death.

PUNISHMENT RANGE: Class B 0-180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine, Class A 0-365 days in jail and up to a $4000 fine if over .15 alcohol level. 

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DWI w/Child

DWI with a child passenger under 15 years old is a State Jail Felony even for a first offense.  The challenges are a DWI with child passenger mirror those of regular DWIs.  The presence of the child changes the way prosecutors and jurors value the case.  In a case where a DWI might get dismissed if it was a misdemeanor, you may have to win at trial when prosecutors see that there was a child passenger.

PUNISHMENT RANGE: State Jail Felony, 6 months - 2 years in a State Jail Facility and up to a $10,000 fine.

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Intoxication Assault and Intoxication Manslaughter

Brian and Luis are both former prosecutors and members of the elite Vehicular Crimes Unit.  This means that they were dispatched to the scene of the most serious intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter cases.  They know how the government investigation proceeds from beginning to end.  Because of this experience they know all the things the government should have done and all the things that can go wrong.  If you or a loved one has been arrested for intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault in Houston this type of investigation has likely already occurred.  You need someone working with you now to maximize your chances of getting a successful outcome. 

PUNISHMENT RANGE: Third Degree Felony - Intox. Assault  2-10 years prison and up to a $10,000 fine.  Second Degree Felony - Intox. Manslaughter 2-20 years prison and up to a $10,000 fine.