By Jeff Kennedy
Award Winning DWI Lawyer In Fort Worth and Tarrant County
Were you arrested for a DWI in Tarrant County? Are you terrified and concerned about what’s going to happen next?
DWI Lawyer Jeff C. Kennedy has over 20 years of experience successfully defending hundreds of DWI cases. He has achieved hundreds of DWI dismissals, reduction of charges, and not guilty verdicts. Jeff is a trial attorney who has taken many DWI cases to trail, ranging from misdemeanor to intoxication manslaughter felony charges.
When you choose Jeff as your DWI attorney, you are choosing a skilled and experienced trial attorney with the skills and knowledge needed to fight a DWI in court.
Below Jeff C. Kennedy reviews DWI laws in Texas, DWI defense, DWI penalties, and what happens if it’s your first, second or third DWI charge. Including examples of how a DWI case can be dismissed, and what a DWI conviction can do to your life.
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Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy, PLLC
301 W Vickery Blvd Suite #101
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 605-1015
Hours:Open 24/7
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Defense Strategies For DWI Charges in Texas
Facing a DWI charge is daunting, but with Jeff on your side, you can rest assured that your DWI 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.
Strategies for a DWI charge require skill, including a thorough and deep understanding of DWI Law in Texas. DWI defense lawyer Jeff C. Kennedy has this skill and experience. He has handled hundreds of DWI charges in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and surrounding counties.
Every case is different, but here are some common strategies that can be employed in your defense.
- 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.
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DWI Penalties, Fines and Jail Time In Texas
Consequences of a DWI charge include probation, suspension of a driver’s license, hefty fines, alcohol education programs, or jail time. Your best option is to find a DWI attorney that is familiar with the Tarrant county court systems and the law. Someone with the skill and experience needed to understand what penalties, fines or jail time you might be facing in the county where you were charged.
Below are the fines, jail time and penalties for DWI charges in the state of Texas. Keep in mind these are based on the specifics of your case, blood alcohol level at the time of arrest, previous DWI’s on your record or if there was an accident
- 1st Offense DWI: A first time DWI charge 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): A second DWI charge 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.
- Classification: Class A Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 30-365 days in jail, up to a $4,000 fine.
- DWI with a Child Passenger:
- Classification: State Jail Felony
- Punishment: 180 days – 24 months in state jail, up to a $10,000 fine.
- 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)
Why You Can Rely On DWI Attorney Jeff. C. Kennedy
If you are thinking, “it’s just a DWI,” you will be shocked to find out how serious a DWI conviction can be on your life. Here are the most obvious reasons why it is important to hire an attorney with skill and experience.
When you choose a DWI lawyer, you want a lawyer that will fight on your behalf and pick apart the charges against you. Someone that will pick apart the case from the moment of your arrest until the hearing. Looking for any opportunity to have your case dismissed, acquitted, or reduced. This is why you need skill on your side, and not just any attorney. When you are facing a DWI charge, skill, know-how, and experience can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.
- Severe Legal Penalties: The legal consequences for a guilty verdict can be substantial, depending on the circumstances of your DWI. 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 likley 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.
Schedule A Free DWI Case Review With Jeff C. Kennedy Today
Jeff has the experience to achieve the best outcome for your specific case. More importantly, he has handled DWI Cases for decades in the Fort Worth and surrounding areas in Tarrant County. He knows the law, and he knows the court systems. Call today for a free case evaluation.
