San Antonio DWI Attorneys — The Castro Law Office

Using the Law to Help Our Clients Avoid Lifelong Legal Consequences

Being charged with any crime can have lasting effects. Even without prison time, a criminal record can follow a person throughout their lives. Individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) live with this reality, but they also face other consequences that can seriously disrupt their life, career, family, and other goals. This is why it’s important to take DWI charges seriously. You need skilled legal representation on your side. Our San Antonio DWI lawyers may be able to help.

At The Castro Law Office, you’ll work directly with a criminal defense attorney committed to securing a favorable outcome on your behalf. This may sometimes mean getting charges dismissed or securing a not-guilty verdict. In other situations, a “win” may mean having charges reduced to avoid license suspension, expensive fines, and lengthy terms of incarceration. Let our criminal defense law firm review your case and help you better understand your options.

What Are the Penalties for a DWI Arrest in Texas?

Few people actually comprehend just how serious DWI cases can be. There are some who even believe these charges are considered traffic offenses. In reality, a DWI arrest can lead to a hefty prison sentence in certain situations. However, the potential penalties for driving while intoxicated in Texas can vary based on the circumstances of your case. In most instances, consequences will be based on how many times you’ve been arrested for the crime.

Penalties include the following:

DWI First Offense

For first offenses, a person can expect a fine of up to $2,000. They may also be placed in jail for up to 180 days. A license suspension is also typical and can last up to one year. You’ll also face annual fees that could cost up to $2,000 for three years to keep your license. An experienced DWI lawyer may be able to help you avoid a first conviction.

DWI Second Offense

If convicted of a second DWI offense, penalties increase dramatically. Fines could reach up to $4,000, and a jail sentence of up to one year is possible after a successful criminal prosecution. Your license will also be suspended for at least a year, and the annual fee to keep it could increase up to $2,000 for three years.

DWI Third and Subsequent Offense

You should not forego a San Antonio DWI attorney for your first two charges, but doing so on your third offense is dangerously unwise. At this point, you’re charged with a felony. You might be fined up to $10,000, and prison sentences of 10 years are not out of the question. Your license could also be suspended for up to two years, and the $2,000 fee to retain your license will still be in effect.

Other DWI-Related Charges

There are times when a DWI case turns into something more serious. For instance, driving with a child passenger or a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher will lead to increased penalties. If someone is harmed due to a DWI, the consequences can get even more severe.

A person could face intoxication assault charges or be accused of manslaughter. Even when injuries aren’t severe, you may find yourself on the wrong side of personal injury law. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, you need a San Antonio DUI attorney to offer experienced legal counsel.

Do You Need a San Antonio DWI Attorney?

When you find yourself in the criminal court system of San Antonio, TX, there’s a good chance the prosecutor will act like they’re your friend. They’ll tell you that they just want you to learn your lesson. They’ll say they’re offering you a plea deal that’s overly fair, given the situation. In reality, prosecutors often use these deals after a DWI arrest because they’re unsure whether they can achieve a conviction.

This is why it’s so important to work with a San Antonio DWI lawyer. Without proper legal representation, you’ll never know whether you’re being treated fairly by the system. Criminal law is a complex matter in Texas, but whether you’re facing a DWI charge or any other accusation, prosecutors want to push you through the system as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, this means many people without criminal defense lawyers end up being railroaded by the system. Even using a public defender in the San Antonio area can be harmful — as recent studies show that these professionals are dangerously overworked. Additionally, Texas utilizes recoupment practices — so you may end up paying thousands for subpar representation that leads to a DUI conviction.

Don’t risk your freedom. Contact our San Antonio DUI lawyers today to discuss your case.

What DWI Defenses Might a Law Firm Use?

Any experienced DWI attorney can tell you that accusations of impaired driving do not equate to guilt. You have a right to an attorney — along with a right to defend yourself against these charges. Of course, the San Antonio prosecutor may lead you to believe that their case is “open and shut.” They want to scare you into taking a plea deal. Don’t fall for this tactic.

When you’re facing intoxicated driving criminal charges in San Antonio, TX, the following defenses may help you avoid a conviction and the most serious repercussions that come with it:

Improper stop or arrest
Inaccurate field sobriety test
Inaccurate breathalyzer results
Blood alcohol level test issues
Medical conditions
Illegal search and seizure
No probable cause for arrest
Denial of right to attorney

You don’t need an experienced DWI attorney in San Antonio to use these defense strategies. However, the average person will not understand when such defenses are relevant. If you use these defenses in court or during plea negotiations, you must be able to back them up with facts. Our law firm is knowledgeable and experienced with DWI laws. Let us help you build a case that might help you avoid a conviction.

Contact Our San Antonio DWI Lawyers Today

Once a person is charged with misdemeanor or felony DWI, the legal process is fairly straightforward. In most cases, the prosecution will offer a plea deal. While taking it may be a wise move, it’s important not to make this decision prior to speaking with an experienced drunk driving attorney in Texas. A legal professional may be able to review your case and greatly reduce the potential penalties you’re facing.

At The Castro Law Office, we offer quality legal representation when you need it the most. We know that an effective DWI or DUI defense can be challenging to build — particularly when the state has damning evidence against you. However, this is how the attorneys at our law firm spend their days. We will work diligently to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.

And since we offer a free consultation, you have nothing to lose by reaching out to our San Antonio DWI lawyers. Contact us at (210) 864-8851 to schedule your confidential case review.