How to Beat a DWI in Texas
You don’t leave the house expecting to get charged with a DWI, but it happens. The experience is not a pleasant one, and now you don’t know what to do. Whether you were over the legal limit or not, you can still be charged with a DWI if the officer who pulled you over believed you were driving while impaired.
You may be ready to throw in the towel and plead guilty right now—after all, it’s just a misdemeanor, right? That could be a big mistake. Misdemeanors can still negatively affect your life.
Your drivers license can be suspended for several months, you may receive hefty fines, and the charge can go on your record permanently, impacting your life for many years to come. And some DWIs become felonies under certain circumstances.
But there are ways to keep a conviction off of your record. You simply need someone to help you understand how to beat a DWI in Texas.
What Not to Do After a Texas Drunk Driving Arrest
When you’ve been arrested for a crime, there are some ways that you can set yourself up to fail. Admitting the crime to the arresting officer is the first big no-no—your confession is a difficult thing to overcome (although it’s not impossible).
If you want a fighting chance of getting your Texas DWI charge dropped, dismissed, or reduced, you may want to make sure to adhere to the following:
- Don’t argue with the police officer.
- Comply with the officer’s commands.
- Don’t answer any questions or give statements without your lawyer present.
- Attend all hearings and comply with the DMV’s rules.
- Don’t admit to prior arrests or charges.
Defenses Against a DWI Conviction
Many people believe that, if you’ve been pulled over for driving while intoxicated and you fail the sobriety tests or your sample comes back positive for alcohol, you’re as good as convicted. This is far from the truth. For you to be convicted, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were driving under the influence.
Doing that is harder than you think. A court may decide there’s not enough evidence to convict you or suggest that you were really intoxicated.
Here are some of the defenses your attorney could use in court:
- You weren’t actually under the influence of alcohol.
- You were pulled over illegally.
- Your rights were violated.
- The officer wasn’t following protocol.
- There was some issue with the field sobriety tests.
Contact a Texas DWI Attorney
Being arrested on a drunk driving charge is a scary situation, but don’t lose all hope just yet. There are defenses against a DWI conviction, and the sooner you start building your defense, the better your chances are of beating your Texas DWI charge.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy know how to beat a DWI in Texas, and we can help you make it happen. Call us at 817-605-1010 or complete the form below to schedule a free consultation.