San Antonio DWI Lawyer

We Have Hundreds of Dismissals and Reduction of Charges

Being charged with a DWI can have lasting effects. Even without prison time, a DWI conviction can follow a person throughout their lives. Individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) live with this reality, but they also face other consequences that can seriously disrupt their life, career, family, and other goals.

This is why it’s important to take DWI charges seriously. You need skilled legal representation on your side. If you have been charged in Brexar County or surrounding areas, you will want to find a DWI Attorney in San Antonio, TX. Ensuring they know the local court system.

At Castro Criminal Lawyer,  you’ll work directly with a criminal defense attorney with DWI case experience. Someone who is committed to securing a favorable outcome on your behalf. This can mean getting DWI charges dismissed or securing a not-guilty verdict.

In other situations, a “win” may mean having DWI charges reduced to avoid license suspension, expensive fines, and lengthy terms of incarceration. Let our DWI lawyer  review your case and help you clearly understand your options.

DWI Penalties in San Antonio, TX

Few understand   how serious DWI cases can be. There are some who even believe these charges are considered traffic offenses. In reality, a DWI arrest can lead to a hefty prison sentence and fines.

The penalties for driving while intoxicated in Texas can also vary, which are based on the circumstances of your case. In most instances, consequences will be based on how many times you’ve been arrested for the crime and the attorney you hired to defend you in court.

First DWI Offense

For first offenses, a person can expect a fine of up to $2,000. They may also be placed in jail for up to 180 days. A license suspension is also typical and can last up to one year. You’ll also face annual fees that could cost up to $2,000 for three years to keep your license.

• First DWI Offense
  • Charge: Class B Misdemeanor
  • Fine: Up to $2,000
  • Jail Time: 3 to 180 days
  • License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year
  • Additional Penalties:
    • Community service: 24 to 100 hours
    • DWI education class
    • Annual fee: $1,000 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver’s license

Second DWI Offense

If convicted of a second DWI offense, penalties increase dramatically. Fines could reach up to $4,000, and a jail sentence of up to one year is possible after a successful criminal prosecution. Your license will also be suspended for at least a year, and the annual fee to keep it could increase up to $2,000 for three years.

• Second DWI Offense
  • Charge: Class A Misdemeanor
  • Fine: Up to $4,000
  • Jail Time: 30 days to 1 year
  • License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
  • Additional Penalties:
    • Community service: 80 to 200 hours
    • DWI education or intervention program
    • Annual fee: $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver’s license

Third DWI Offense Or More

You should not forego a San Antonio DWI attorney for your first two charges, but doing so on your third offense is dangerously unwise. At this point, you’re charged with a felony. You might be fined up to $10,000, and prison sentences of 10 years are not out of the question. Your license could also be suspended for up to two years, and the $2,000 fee to retain your license will still be in effect.

• Third DWI Offense
  • Charge: Third Degree Felony
  • Fine: Up to $10,000
  • Jail Time: 2 to 10 years in state prison
  • License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
  • Additional Penalties:
    • Community service: 160 to 600 hours
    • DWI education or intervention program
    • Annual fee: $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver’s license

Other DWI-Related Charges

There are times when a DWI case turns into something more serious. For instance, driving with a child passenger or a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher will lead to increased penalties. If someone is harmed due to a DWI, the consequences can get even more severe.

A person could face intoxication assault charges or be accused of manslaughter. Even when injuries aren’t severe, you may find yourself on the wrong side of personal injury law. Regardless of the circumstances of your case, you need a San Antonio DUI attorney to offer experienced legal counsel.

• DWI with a Child Passenger
  • Charge: State Jail Felony
  • Fine: Up to $10,000
  • Jail Time: 180 days to 2 years in state jail
  • License Suspension: 90 days to 2 years
• Intoxication Assault (DWI causing serious bodily injury)
  • Charge: Third Degree Felony
  • Fine: Up to $10,000
  • Jail Time: 2 to 10 years in state prison
  • License Suspension: 90 days to 1 year
• Intoxication Manslaughter (DWI causing death)
  • Charge: Second Degree Felony
  • Fine: Up to $10,000
  • Jail Time: 2 to 20 years in state prison
  • License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
• Open Container Violation (Driving with an open container of alcohol)
  • Charge: Class C Misdemeanor
  • Fine: Up to $500
  • Additional Penalties: Possible additional charges if combined with DWI
• DWI with Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or higher
  • Charge: Class A Misdemeanor
  • Fine: Up to $4,000
  • Jail Time: 1 year
  • Additional Penalties: Enhanced penalties compared to a standard first-time DWI

How A DWI Charge Is Handled In Brexar Court Systems

Here is what you can expect if you have been charged with a DWI. It is essential you have a DWI Attorney on your side to guide you through these steps.

• Arraignment: You will have an initial court appearance and you will enter a please of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
• Pre-Trial Motions: Your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence, or dismiss a case based on legal grounds.
• Trial: If you go to trial, both sides will have to present their case with evidence and arguments. A judge or jury decides on the verdict.
• Sentencing: The judge chooses which penalties and fines you will have to face. This will be based on the severity of your offense and any other factors that can enhance your outcome.
• Appeals: If the possibility for appeal presents itself, your DWI attorney can challenge your sentence and conviction in a higher court.

Here Is How We Can Help You.

Once a person is charged with misdemeanor or felony DWI, the legal process is fairly straightforward. In most cases, the prosecution will offer a plea deal. While taking it may be a wise move, it’s important not to make this decision prior to speaking with an experienced drunk driving attorney in Texas. A legal professional may be able to review your case and greatly reduce the potential penalties you’re facing.

It is important to realize that a prosecutor will act like they’re your friend. They’ll tell you that they just want you to learn your lesson. They’ll say they’re offering you a fair plea deal, given the situation. In reality, prosecutors often use these deals after a DWI arrest because they’re unsure whether they can achieve a conviction.

This is why it’s so important to work with a DWI lawyer in San Antonio. Someone who knows the prosecutors and judges. Without proper legal representation, you’ll never know whether you’re being treated fairly by the system. Criminal law is a complex matter in Texas, but whether you’re facing a DWI charge or any other accusation, prosecutors want to push you through the system as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, this means many people without an experienced DWI lawyer will end up being railroaded by the system. Even using a public defender in the San Antonio area can be harmful — as recent studies show that these professionals are dangerously overworked. Additionally, Texas utilizes recoupment practices — so you may end up paying thousands for subpar representation that leads to a DWI conviction.

Don’t risk your freedom. Schedule a Free consultation to discuss your DWI case today.

Examples Of DWI Defenses We Use

Any experienced DWI attorney can tell you that accusations of impaired driving do not equate to guilt. You have a right to an attorney — along with a right to defend yourself against these charges. Of course, the San Antonio prosecutor may lead you to believe that their case is “open and shut.” They want to scare you into taking a plea deal. Don’t fall for this tactic. You need an attorney that can clearly explain how they will defend you in court.

When you’re facing DWI  charges in San Antonio, TX, the following defenses may be available to avoid a DWI conviction and serious repercussions:

• Improper stop or arrest
• Inaccurate field sobriety test
• Inaccurate breathalyzer results
• Blood alcohol level test issues
• Medical conditions
• Illegal search and seizure
• No probable cause for arrest
• Denial of right to attorney

You need more than experience, you need a skilled attorney that understands when such defenses are applicable. If you use these defenses in court or during plea negotiations, you must be able to back them up with facts. That is why so many San Antonio residents choose Christopher Castro with their criminal charges. Let us help you build a case that might help you avoid a conviction. Call us today for a free case review.

Schedule A Free Consultation With DWI Lawyer Christopher Castro

At The Castro Law Office, we offer quality legal representation when you need it the most. We know that an effective DWI or DUI defense can be challenging to build — particularly when the state has damning evidence against you. However, this is how the attorneys at our law firm spend their days. We will work diligently to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.

And since we offer a free consultation, you have nothing to lose by reaching out to our San Antonio DWI lawyers. Contact us at (210) 290-9614 to schedule your confidential case review.