By Jeff Kennedy
Jeff C. Kennedy A Fort Worth DWI Lawyer With 20 Years Of Experience
Were you arrested for a DWI? Terrified and concerned about what’s going to happen next? Contact me today for aggressive defense.
If you’ve recently found yourself facing a DWI charge in Fort Worth, TX, it’s vital to understand the gravity of the situation ahead. This isn’t just a legal hiccup; it’s a serious offense that can ripple through your life for years to come. From potential fines and license suspension to a tarnished record, the consequences of a DWI conviction in Texas are significant and far-reaching.
DWI Representation: You Need the Best DWI Defense in Fort Worth TX
But you don’t have to face this alone. You have options, and the first step is securing proper DWI defense. That’s where Jeff C. Kennedy comes in.
He has been helping people fight DWI charges for more than twenty years. He’s Texas-educated and has a proven track record of success—and he’s ready to help you fight your DWI charges and win.
A DWI Lawyer That Fights For You
Facing a DWI charge is daunting, but with Jeff by your side, you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost care and expertise. He’ll challenge evidence, explore every legal avenue, and ensure that your rights are fiercely defended every step of the way.
Do I have to be driving to get a DWI?
In Fort Worth Texas, a DWI charge does not require the individual to be driving the vehicle when arrested. You can be charged for a DWI while in control of a stationary vehicle, while in the drivers seat and keys in the ignition.
Am I going to jail for a first time DWI in Texas?
It is possible for a first-time DWI offender to face up to 1 year in jail for their first offense. Generally, it depends on your criminal history, and what happened. This is why it is vital for you to hire a criminal defense attorney who has worked on DWI charges their entire career.
What Are The Consequences Of A DWI Charge In Fort Worth Texas?
DWI offenses can have serious consequences in fort worth, and include probation, suspension of a driver’s license, hefty fines, alcohol education programs, or jail time. You need to find a DWI attorney that is familiar with the local court systems. This attorney will have the experience you need to understand what penalties, fines or jail time you might be facing in the county where you were charged.
We have listed out the fines, jail time and penalties for DWI charges in the state of Texas. These are based on your specific case, and your blood alcohol level at the time of arrest, including previous DWI’s on your record or if you had an accident.
- 1st Offense DWI: Your first Texas DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $4,000 fine. Your license will also be suspended for a year, and you will have to pay a three-year license retention fee of up to $2,000.
- Classification: Class B Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 3-180 days in jail, up to a $2,000 fine.
- 1st Offense DWI with an Open Container:
- Classification: Class B Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 6-180 days in jail, up to a $2,000 fine.
- 1st Offense DWI with a BAC .15 or Higher:
- Classification: Class A Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 0-365 days in jail, up to a $4,000 fine.
- 2nd Offense DWI (Repeat Offender): Your second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, punished by up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine. Your license will be suspended for two years, and you may have to pay a three-year license retention fee of up to $2,000.
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- Classification: Class A Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 30-365 days in jail, up to a $4,000 fine.
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- DWI with a Child Passenger:
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- Classification: State Jail Felony
- Punishment: 180 days – 24 months in state jail, up to a $10,000 fine.
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- 3rd or more Felony Repetition: Your third or subsequent DWI will likely be classified as a third-degree felony. The penalty is between two and ten years in prison, as well as a fine of no more than $10,000. Your license will be suspended for two years, and you may have to pay a three-year license retention fee of as much as $2,000.
- Classification: 3rd Degree Felony
- Punishment: 2 – 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division (penitentiary), up to a $10,000 fine. Despite similar circumstances, Felony Repetition is notably different from a misdemeanor DWI.
If your DWI includes an injury, fatality or accident, the state can add additional charges.
- Failure to Leave Information (ranging from a class C to a Class A misdemeanor)
- Failure to Stop and Render Aid (2nd or 3rd degree felony)
- Intoxicated Assault (3rd degree felony)
- Intoxicated Manslaughter (2nd degree felony)
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (2nd degree felony)
Top 3 Reasons You Should Hire an Attorney To Fight a DWI
Were you thinking, “it’s just a DWI,” you may be shocked to find out how seriously your life could be impacted by a conviction. Still wondering why you should fight your DWI charge?
- Severe Legal Penalties: The legal consequences for a guilty verdict can be severe, depending on the circumstances of your case. We’re talking about substantial fines, jail or prison time, license revocation, installation of an ignition interlock device, completion of a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, and other penalties.
- Damage to Your Driving Record: Even if you are fortunate to get through your legal penalties relatively unscathed, your driving record will reflect your conviction for years to come. That means increased car insurance premiums difficulty obtaining employment.
- A Criminal Record That Haunts You: A DWI conviction will typically remain on your criminal record indefinitely. This can influence your ability to find work, housing, and obtain financial assistance for educational opportunities, as your conviction will be readily available to anyone who may need to perform a background check on you.
Strategies for Beating DWI Charges
Strategies for a DWI charge requires a thorough and deep understanding of the law. DWI defense lawyer Jeff C. Kennedy has this experience, and has handled hundreds of DWI charges in Fort Worth and surrounding counties.
He has a proven track record with DWI cases being dismissed, acquitted, or reduced. Every case is different, but there are some common strategies that can be employed.
- Challenging the officer’s reasonable suspicion for the stop.
- Questioning the officer’s probable cause for the arrest.
- Scrutinizing the administration of field sobriety tests.
- Contesting the validity of breath or blood tests.
- Highlighting any inaccuracies or false information in search warrants.
- Leveraging expert testimony to challenge intoxication timing.
- Asserting lack of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
GET A FREE STRATEGY SESSION WITH DWI ATTORNEY JEFF C. KENNEDY
Every case is unique and that is why you need an lawyer who has handled many cases over the years. They can find the holes in the prosecutions case. This takes experience and the right mind. When you are looking for an lawyer for your DWI, these are the types of strategies you want to hear discussed.
We have this experience, and we have handled many DWI Cases in Fort Worth and surrounding areas in Tarrant County. Give us a call today for a free case evaluation.
Schedule your consultation by calling 817-605-1010 today.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS WE ARE ASKED ABOUT DWI CHARGES
Whether this is the first time you have been arrested for a DWI or you are a habitual offender, you likely have questions about what’s going to happen next. Check out the quick FAQ below to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions former DWI clients have had.
What is the legal definition of a DWI in Fort Worth, Texas?
Texas Penal Code 49.04 Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- (a) A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.
- (b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.
- (c) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person operating the motor vehicle had an open container of alcohol in the person's immediate possession, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of six days.
- (d) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that an analysis of a specimen of the person's blood, breath, or urine showed an alcohol concentration level of 0.15 or more at the time the analysis was performed, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
