Houston Holiday DWI Arrests Have Serious Consequences
For some Texas motorists, the post-holiday blues include drunk driving charges.
The Houston Chronicle reported a slew of drunk driving arrests throughout the holiday period, in addition to 25 felony DWI arrests made by the Houston Police Department in November.
Other news reports indicate Harris County officials made 117 arrests for DWI over the holiday period. For those seeking DWI defense in Houston, it’s important to understand that the consequences of conviction can be severe.
Under Texas law, those charged with first offense drunk driving face up to 6 months in jail, thousands of dollars in fines and a one-year license suspension.
Nationwide, the average cost of a drunk driving conviction, including lost wages and increased insurance premiums, typically exceeds $10,000.
Drunk driving defense in Texas
Too often, motorists feel there is little to be done in the way of defending drunk driving arrests. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, arrests made during holiday enforcement blitzes often involve marginal or unfair arrest.
Challenging probable cause for your traffic stop, as well as disputing the results of field sobriety or breathalyzer tests, can be a valid avenue of defense. Additionally, those facing DWI charges in Houston have 15 days to request a hearing to avoid automatic suspension of their driver’s license.
An experienced drunk driving defense firm will carefully review your case for errors. Common mistakes police make include initiating stops based on 911 calls, following drivers onto private property without probable cause, stopping a car for weaving within a single lane, conducting stops at an improper roadblock and failure to follow proper procedures in the administration of breath tests or field sobriety tests.
Avoidable mistakes drivers make after arrests include not requesting an administrative license revocation hearing, not seeking the advice of an experienced DWI attorney, failure to appear in court or compounding their problems by being stopped for driving with a suspended license.
Hiring a defense attorney does not mean your case will go to trial. In fact, the vast majority of such cases are resolved without trial. Other avenues of disposition include reduction, plea bargain or dismissal of the charges. Motorists who hire experienced defense counsel can use each of these to their advantage. Those that don’t are much more likely to end up with a conviction on their permanent driving record.
Houston DWI – First offense offers best defense
“It’s just a first offense,” is another thing experienced attorneys hear too often. The fact remains that a drunk driving conviction can have consequences for years to come and may even limit your employment opportunities. Additionally, attorneys representing drivers facing a first offense often have the best chance of negotiating a reduction or dismissal of the charges.
Experienced defense attorneys understand the cost of hiring a law firm is always a concern and can address the issue with upfront costs and expectations. But when it comes to defending your rights in the wake of a holiday drunk driving charge, not seeking experienced legal advice should not be an option.
A proactive defense is always the best offense when it comes to keeping your license, protecting your rights, and giving yourself the best chance possible for a successful resolution of your case.
