What to Bring to a Free DWI Case Evaluation in Dallas

Paperwork from a DWI arrest has a way of ending up in a glove box or a kitchen drawer. Before a free case evaluation with Dallas DWI Lawyers, it helps to gather it in one place. A short meeting goes much further when we can see the actual documents instead of working from memory. That holds for someone arrested in Knox Henderson last night and for someone who has been carrying a pending case from a stop near Victory Park for a while. Start with anything you received at release from the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. That usually includes bond paperwork, which lists your conditions and may show your next court date, and any receipt for property or a towed vehicle. The most time-sensitive document is the written notice of suspension, because it starts the 15 day window to request an ALR hearing. If the officer took your license, the notice may be the only proof you have of when that clock began. Bring any citations as well, along with any document that shows a breath test result or says blood was drawn. Your own notes matter almost as much. Write down a timeline of the evening, starting well before you got in the car. Include where you were, what you ate and drank and over what period, and the route you were driving, whether that was Cedar Springs Road or Central Expressway. Note the reason the officer gave for the stop, which field sobriety tests you were asked to do, and anything said about breath or blood testing. Receipts from a restaurant or bar can help show timing. So can the names of people who were with you. These details let a DWI defense attorney spot questions about reasonable suspicion and probable cause early.

Dallas DWI Lawyers | 325 North St Paul Street, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201 | (945) 403-4331

Some personal information helps too. Bring a list of any medications and medical conditions, since some health conditions and injuries can affect balance or test results. Tell us about any prior arrests or convictions, even old ones from another state, because a prior can change the level of the charge. Let us know if you hold a commercial DWI Defense Attorney driver license, since that affects options like deferred adjudication. If you need to drive for work or school, mention it, because an occupational driver license may be possible during a suspension. Finally, bring your questions. There are no bad ones, and it is better to ask them at the start. Our intake team, Joe Tapgos and Victoria Al-Adam, can set up your evaluation, and staff speak Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian. Call or text (945) 403-4331, 24/7, to schedule a free case evaluation with a DWI defense attorney at Dallas DWI Lawyers. We can meet at our office at 325 North St Paul Street downtown, near the DART St. Paul station.

Dallas DWI Lawyers Address: 325 North St Paul Street, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (945) 403-4331 FAQ About DWI Defense Attorney in Dallas How much is a DWI lawyer in Texas? Fees depend on whether the case is a first offense misdemeanor or a felony, whether there is an ALR hearing to fight, and whether the case goes to trial. Dallas DWI Lawyers starts with a free case evaluation so you can hear what your specific case involves before you commit to anything. Call or text (945) 403-4331 to set one up. What happens after a DWI arrest in Dallas? Most people arrested in Dallas are booked at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center and released on bond, often with conditions such as an ignition interlock. Misdemeanor DWI cases then move through the County Criminal Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, while a separate license suspension case starts with DPS. The team at Dallas DWI Lawyers deals with both tracks from the first call. How long do I have to request an ALR hearing in Texas? The request must be made within 15 days of receiving notice of the license suspension, which is usually the day of the arrest. Missing that window means the suspension can take effect without a hearing. Dallas DWI Lawyers files ALR requests and represents drivers at the hearing, so call (945) 403-4331 as early as you can. Is a first DWI a felony in Texas? A standard first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours and up to 180 days in jail, and a fine of up to $2,000. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if a test shows 0.15 or more, and it can be a state jail felony if a passenger under 15 was in the car. Our downtown Dallas office on St Paul Street handles every level of these charges. Can a DWI be dismissed in Texas? Dismissals do happen, usually when the stop lacked reasonable suspicion, the arrest lacked probable cause, or the breath or blood evidence has problems. No lawyer can promise a dismissal, but Dallas DWI Lawyers prepares each case as if it is going to trial and reviews the video, reports and lab records for weak points. Should I refuse a breath test in Texas? Texas is an implied consent state, so a refusal can bring a license suspension of at least 180 days and can be mentioned at trial. Officers can also get a blood warrant, especially during Dallas County no refusal weekends. Every situation is different, so talk to a DWI defense attorney about how a refusal affects your own case. Can I still drive after a DWI arrest in Dallas? Usually yes, at least for a short time, because the suspension does not start right away and a timely ALR request can hold it off until the hearing. If a suspension does take effect, an occupational license may let you drive to work, school and essential errands. Dallas DWI Lawyers helps with both, starting with a call to (945) 403-4331. How long does a DWI stay on your record in Texas? A DWI conviction stays on your Texas criminal record permanently unless the law gives you a way to seal or clear it. Some first-offense cases may qualify for nondisclosure, and expunction is generally limited to dismissals, acquittals and no-bills. The firm can review your eligibility during a free case evaluation. What makes a DWI a felony in Texas? A DWI becomes a felony with two prior intoxication convictions, a passenger under 15, a serious injury (intoxication assault) or a death (intoxication manslaughter). These carry prison ranges from 180 days in a state jail up to 20 years. Managing Attorney Gary L. Medlin has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1989. Do I need a lawyer for a first DWI in Texas? You are not required to have one, but a first DWI can still mean jail time, fines, a license suspension and a permanent record. A lawyer can challenge the stop and the testing, and may be able to pursue options such as deferred adjudication where the law allows it. Dallas DWI Lawyers answers calls and texts 24/7 at (945) 403-4331. Can a DWI be reduced to a lesser charge in Texas? In some cases, problems with the evidence lead prosecutors to offer a reduced charge such as obstructing a highway or reckless driving. Whether that is possible depends on the facts, the test results and your history. Attorneys at Dallas DWI Lawyers include former prosecutors who understand how those decisions get made in Dallas County. What is the difference between a DWI and a DUI in Texas? In Texas, DWI is the charge for adults who are intoxicated while driving, while DUI is a Class C charge for drivers under 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol. A young driver can face either charge depending on the evidence. Dallas DWI Lawyers defends underage drivers from SMU, University Park and across Dallas.