DWI Lawyer
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges can lead to license suspension, fines, and even jail time. If you were charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a DWI lawyer can help fight your criminal charges.
Paul Doyle & Associates in Houston, TX, has helped numerous clients in Harris County successfully dismiss their DWI charges.
Why You Need a DWI Attorney
Knowledge of Texas DWI Laws
A DWI attorney knows the nuances of state DWI laws. A lawyer can review the circumstances of your DWI case and note legal loopholes that may apply to your criminal charges.Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
A DWI lawyer can objectively assess your DWI arrest. Your attorney can then build a sound criminal defense strategy that emphasizes its strengths and shores up any weaknesses.Understanding How the System Works
A DWI attorney knows the legal process, including what steps have to be taken and when. Your Houston DWI lawyer can keep you on task when it comes to important dates and deadlines for your case.
Protect Your
Driver's License
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In Texas, you have 15 days from the date of the arrest to request an administrative license revocation hearing before the Department of Public Safety. The ALR hearing is an opportunity to save your driver's license from suspension. The hearing is also an opportunity to develop a record against the officer who may testify against you at trial. Testimony from this hearing can result in a DWI dismissal because of statements made by the arresting officer.
Invoke Your
Right to Counsel
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Once you unambiguously request the presence of a lawyer, any evidence obtained in a custodial interrogation is not admissible. This is a simple point that is often overlooked in DWI cases. Officers regularly ignore this request and proceed with questioning. The courts are well aware of an individual’s right to counsel. If this matter is properly addressed with the court, all evidence obtained after that request can be ruled inadmissible in trial.
Even if you failed a sobriety test, the state still has the burden to prove their test was accurate beyond a reasonable doubt. The scientific evidence presented by law enforcement could be flawed, leading to false positives. Paul Doyle & Associates in Houston can point out the weaknesses of sobriety testing methods and technologies.
Have You Been Charged with DWI?
Schedule a Free Consultation at Paul Doyle & Associates
If you've been charged with a DWI in Harris County, you need a lawyer well-versed in Texas drunk driving laws and sound criminal defense strategies. The lawyers at Paul Doyle & Associates can use their decades of legal knowledge to help get your case dismissed or your charges reduced.
Our law firm has worked with numerous clients facing alcohol-related charges. Whether it's a misdemeanor or felony, our criminal defense lawyers can lay out an effective legal strategy and help you understand what steps you should take next.
Don't hesitate if you need to discuss DWI defense options. To speak with a Houston DWI attorney about your situation, contact Paul Doyle & Associates online. You can also reach our law office by phone.
Call Our Defense Lawyers
(713) 228-9200
Paul Doyle provides criminal defense you can count on.
Reach Out to a Firm That Gets Results
You are innocent until proven guilty, but you need an attorney who is capable of bringing the truth to light. Paul Doyle has repeatedly demonstrated that he can identify and expose the weaknesses in a DWI case. Contact us today to request your free case review.
Paul Doyle has trained officers across the state in DWI law. He has insight on how officers administer different sobriety tests and how they testify in hearings.
Texas DWI Laws
For drivers age 21 and older, the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08. The legal limit for commercial drivers is .04.
A DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. If you are charged with a DWI and have a BAC of .15 or greater, you will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
Underage Drunk Driving
The state of Texas has zero tolerance for minors who commit any drug- or alcohol-related offenses. This means that any underage drivers caught with a detectable amount of alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle will be charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor (DUIA by a Minor).
For minors 17-20 years old, this is a Class B misdemeanor; for minors younger than 17, this is a Class C misdemeanor.
DWI Penalties in Texas
| First Offense DWI | Up to 180 days in jail; fines up to $2,000; suspended driver's license for up to 1 year |
| Second Offense DWI | Up to 1 year in jail; fines up to $4,000; suspended driver's license for at least 1 year |
| Third Offense DWI | Up to 10 years of jail time; fines up to $10,000; suspended driver's license for 1 to 2 years |
| DWI with a BAC of .15 of Higher |
Up to 1 year in jail; fines up to $4,000; suspended driver's license for up to 1 year |
| DWI with a Child Passenger (Younger Than 15) |
Felony charge with up to 2 years in state jail; fines up to $10,000; suspended driver's license for up to 180 days |
In addition to fines, incarceration, and license suspension, DWI penalties can also include community service, installation of an ignition interlock device, and enrollment in a drug or alcohol treatment program.
Intoxication Manslaughter
Intoxication manslaughter is when a person with a BAC of .08 or higher causes the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle.
Legal Penalties
Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony. Penalties include:
- Up to 20 years in prison
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Suspended driver's license for up to 2 years
While working as a prosecutor, Paul Doyle was a member of the Harris County DA's Vehicular Assault Team, which focused on alcohol-related collisions. Our Houston DWI lawyers know how authorities investigate these kinds of crashes and what tactics may be used in court.
Trial-Tested and Client-Focused Defense Attorneys Proudly Serving Houston, TX
Paul Doyle & Associates are very professional and know how to get favorable results. Despite the obstacles, Paul Doyle worked arduously and diligently resulting in my case being dismissed. I highly recommend Paul Doyle & Associates if you find yourself in need of an awesome Criminal Defense Attorney. Thanks again!
— Robby , 2023 5-Star Review
Need to Speak
with a DWI Lawyer?
Our Law Firm Is Here to Help
A drunk driving conviction can change your life in many ways, which is why it's important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer about your options. Paul Doyle & Associates has helped a great number of people in Harris County fight their DWI charges. Whether this is a first-time DWI offense or a subsequent DWI arrest, our attorneys are here for you. To schedule a free consultation with a Houston DWI lawyer, contact our law office online or give us a call.
(713) 228-9200
Blood, Breath, and Urine Tests Chemical Testing Methods to Measure BAC
Following a DWI arrest, law enforcement may ask to take a blood sample to measure your BAC. Mistakes can arise due to improper storage of the blood sample, mishandling of the sample, contamination of the sample, and errors by lab technicians.
This breath test is often administered during traffic stops, but it is not always accurate. Breathalyzers do not check the alcohol content of a person's blood. Calibration issues can similarly lead to inaccurate readings of a person's intoxication.
Urine samples to measure BAC can be inaccurate for a number of reasons. In addition to human error in storage and analysis, the urine sample may not accurately reflect how much alcohol was in the driver's system at the time of the arrest.
A Client Testimonial for Our Law Office
"Paul and his team are the real deal!! All business, the very best!"
— Shelley, 5-Star Google Review
The Hypocrisy of the Field Sobriety Test
Many times, motorists are stopped at night. They pull onto the side of a road, often in an unfamiliar environment. These individuals are then asked to perform different tasks that may be difficult for a sober person to perform in the same situation. In short, the standardized field sobriety test (SFST) is inherently unfair.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established guidelines with how the tests are to be administered. If the officer does not follow the guidelines set forth by NHTSA, the test could be thrown out and never seen by a jury.
You need an attorney that knows the intricacies of field sobriety tests. The DWI lawyers at Paul Doyle & Associates in Houston have such knowledge and can attack every misstep an officer makes in administering an SFST. Through cross-examination of the police officer, our DWI attorneys can educate a jury about the fundamental unfairness of field sobriety tests.
Refusing Sobriety Tests
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Even though testing is flawed, be cautious about refusing a sobriety test. If you refuse to take a chemical test, you face a driver's license suspension of at least 180 days. You could lose your license for up to two years if you've had a drug or alcohol-related run-in with the law in the last decade. There are no legal penalties for refusing a field sobriety test. However, an officer may use refusal of an FST as probable cause for a DWI arrest.
Was There Probable Cause?
Probable cause is a crucial factor in traffic stops and DWI defense. It essentially means that a police officer had an adequate reason to believe a crime was committed, and therefore had justification for conducting a traffic stop. In the context of drunk driving, that could mean running a red light, weaving, or other examples of reckless driving.
Without probable cause, the state will not be able to obtain a DWI conviction. Many police officers take this for granted.
The lawyers at Houston's Paul Doyle & Associates know what kinds of details can undermine the officer's stated reason for the traffic stop. If the officer’s reason to stop your vehicle or to conduct a DWI investigation did not rise to the level of probable cause, then the entire DWI case can be dismissed.
A Law Firm That Thinks of Your Needs
"Paul is the best lawyer in town! If you are aiming for dismissal this is your guy!"
— Ben, 5-Star Review
Get Help on Your DWI Case
Contact Our Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys
A failed sobriety test does not mean you have to plead guilty. If you've been charged with drunk driving, our Houston law firm can help. The lawyers at Paul Doyle & Associates can go over the details of your case and develop a sound DWI defense strategy that helps get your charges reduced or dropped. To learn more about your legal options, contact our practice online. You can also call our Houston law office at:
(713) 228-9200
Fight Your Charges With a Houston DWI Lawyer Who Is On Your Side
"When i was referred to Paul Doyle I knew he was the high powered well connected Attorney I need. Just google him. Trevor is a pleasure to work with and always very easy to get in touch with call or text." Bronco, 5-Star Review
Why You Should Fight Your DWI
Whether you're facing a first-offense DWI or you have multiple DWI charges on your record, the defense attorneys at Paul Doyle & Associates can help you. Our Houston DWI lawyers can discuss your arrest during a free consultation. We can help you understand your legal options and what steps to take next.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About DWI in Texas
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Texas?
DUI checkpoints (roadblocks set up by law enforcement to check drivers for signs of intoxication) are considered a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights in Texas. But the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has ruled that checkpoints set up to verify driver's licenses and vehicle registration are legal. When passing through one of these checkpoints, drivers could be charged with DWI.
Is a DWI a felony in Texas?
It can be, depending on the circumstances. For example, a third DWI conviction, DWI with a child in the vehicle, and DWI that results in manslaughter are all considered felonies in Texas.
How long do DUIs stay on your record in Texas?
A conviction will stay on your record forever unless you have it expunged or sealed. Neither is a fast or simple process. If you are facing DWI charges in Texas, the best approach is to hire a DWI lawyer capable of having your charges reduced or dismissed.
How many DWI convictions until I have to use an IID (ignition interlock device) in Texas?
If you are a repeat offender, or a first-time offender with a BAC of .15 or greater, judges will order you to install an IID on your vehicle.Our law firm has worked with numerous clients facing alcohol-related charges. Whether it's a misdemeanor or felony, our criminal defense lawyers can lay out an effective legal strategy and help you understand what steps you should take next.
