Don't pay out the nose for a DWI in Corpus Christi.
We're at your service.
Have a DWI charge in Corpus Christi?
The stress caused by being charged with a DWI can eat away at you.
Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired (DWI) means that the driver of a vehicle was caught with an alcohol blood content at or above 0.08%. You might be surprised to find out that this is one of the more frequent crimes to happen in Corpus Christi.
No one wants a DWI on their record as both the state and Nueces County court are unfriendly to DWI violators. Michael & Associates exist to help you minimize the impact of such a charge.
A DWI Means Expensive Fines and Possible Jail Time
Just because it's a common crime doesn't mean the penalties are easy. In fact, they can be quite serious.
Here are the penalties for Corpus Christians being convicted of a DWI:
Your 1st Offense:
- Fines up to $2,000
- 3 to 180 days in jail
- Loss of your driver's license for up to a year
Your 2nd Offense:
- Fines up to $2000
- 1 to 12 months in jail
- Loss of license for up to two years
Your 3rd+ Offense:
- Fines up to $10,000
- 2 to 10 years in prison
- Loss of license for up to two years
- A felony on your criminal record
Think that's bad? None of this includes the possible enhanced charges for things like having a child as a passenger when caught.
Don't Throw Your Life Away Over One Slip Up
No one in their right mind is proud of a DWI, but one mistake doesn't have to ruin your life. Not only do you face criminal penalties, there are social ones as well. It can lead to higher insurance rates if you keep or regain your license and a harder time finding employment.
These charges are not funny. Do yourself a favor and get the best defense in town.
If you're facing a DWI, bring a defensive team in. Get an attorney who is not only experienced but capable of giving you the help you need.
Michael & Associates Is On Your Team
Here at Michael & Associates, we've been tackling DWI cases for almost a decade at this point.
In that time, we have represented clients literally hundreds of times for DWI charges in a multitude of Texan cities. We have gotten most of them dropped or charges reduced.
We strive to provide a personalized defense for each of our clients. You're important to us, and we're going in swinging in your defense to get you the best possible outcome for your case.
We stand out from the larger, low-price firms, because you're not just a number to us. We're on your team, rooting for you. Ben Michael, our managing partner, will give you full access to his services. We also put in the effort to explain every detail of the case and ensure your comfort.
You're on the right team with Michael & Associates. We offer a free case review for our clients in the Sparkling City by the Sea, so we can work together to put a DWI defense plan into work for you.
GET A FREE CASE REVIEW
If you've been charged with a DWI, you have 15 days before you lose your license. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch in a few minutes.
Recent DWI Cases
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 1st Offense
Allegations: Client failed the sobriety test and was taken to the police station after police pulled client over for erratic driving.
Result: Dismissed after motion to suppress illegally obtained evidence.
Reduced Charges
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 2nd Offense
Allegations: Client was taken into custody after failing to pass a breathalyzer test. Client had previously been charged and convicted of a DWI.
Result: Case Pled Down to Reckless Driving
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Allegations: Client was arrested by police after failing two sobriety tests when making an illegal turn.
Result: Case Dismissed
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Corpus Christi, the average annual cost of car insurance is $732. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,054, an increase of $322.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $732 | $720 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,054 | $1,037 |
| Increase | $322 | $317 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,188 | $720 | $672 | $588 | $528 | $600 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,711 | $1,037 | $968 | $847 | $760 | $864 |
| Increase | $523 | $317 | $296 | $259 | $232 | $264 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
To put it simply, Michael & Associates gives you two things: VIP treatment and the best results in town.
Any cheap lawyer can promise you the best results, but if you actually work with them, you'll find you do not get the white-glove treatment like you do with us. They refuse to answer questions, they put in little effort with your case, and they most often do what's easiest for them.
With Michael & Associates, we only take in the number of clients we know we can handle with the proper attention and care. We fight your cases like they were our own.
You get Ben Michael's personal cell phone, and you are invited to reach him day or night at any time. Those other guys? They'll take days to call you back and mix you up with the other thirty clients they have.
Ben will be your guide through every detail of the case and ensure that you're comfortable and satisfied through this entire process. We know that this is one of the most stressful ordeals a person can go through, but we're here to get you the best possible outcome and reduce the headache DWI charges cause as much as we can.
Michael & Associates will handle nearly every felony and misdemeanor criminal case, including but not limited to these:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
We do not handle:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Driving While Intoxicated in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and the rest of Texas, anyone caught with a blood alcohol content (BAC), the measure of the percentage of your blood made up of alcohol, that is 0.08% or higher while driving can be charged with a DWI.
There is no set drink limit for what will get you to a 0.08% BAC. For some people, the number may be high while others may be low due to numerous contributing factors like weight, height, tolerance, the strength of the drinks, and the time in between consumption of them.
In Corpus Christi, the penalties depend on the number of offenses you have had in the past.
1st Offense:
- Fines up to $2,000
- 3 to 180 days in jail
- Loss of your driver's license for up to a year
2nd Offense:
- Fines up to $2000
- 1 to 12 months in jail
- Loss of license for up to two years
3rd+ Offense:
- Fines up to $10,000
- 2 to 10 years in prison
- Loss of license for up to two years
- A felony on your criminal record
Additional penalties can be added if driving with a child passenger, which include:
- Additional fines up to $10,000
- Up to two years in jail
- An additional 180 days of driver's license suspension
First things first: pull over somewhere immediately and in a safe manner. Never try to flee from the police as you will get caught and face much more severe charges.
Be on your best behavior with the officer who approaches your vehicle. They will ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance first. Inform them of the documents' locations and slowly retrieve them.
Most officers will ask if you know why you've been pulled over. Your answer should be "no sir" or "no ma'am," because in court, an officer needs a justification for pulling you over. Do not give the officer a stronger case for your court date by giving them a reason.
It is your right to refuse both a preliminary breathalyzer test and a field sobriety test. It is good to refuse these if you have any suspicion that you will fail them. All you need to do is state that you're uncomfortable taking them and would prefer to consult with your attorney. Assume you're on video and act polite and well-mannered.
If you show signs of intoxication (e.g. slurring speech, smelling strongly of alcohol, etc.), you may still be arrested. Once this happens, most people are asked to take a blood or breath test to establish their BAC. You are subject to license suspension upon refusal or if you fail the test. Either way, your lawyer will be by your side to help you fight this battle.
It is possible for an officer to obtain a warrant that compels you to take the tests, but it is often a timely process.
Exercise your right to remain silent during the questioning process and contact an attorney as soon as possible.
In simple words: yes. Never plead guilty or give up when you are charged with a DWI even if it's your third time or only your first. Fighting the charges will almost always guarantee better results for you.
Helpful Locations for Corpus Christi Residents
Corpus Christi Courthouse
(361) 886-2500
120 N Chaparral St
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
cctexas.com
Corpus Christi Police Department
(361) 886-2600
321 John Sartain St
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
cctexas.com
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(361) 400-1988
313 N Chaparral St
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
business.site
Department of Motor Vehicles
(361) 808-3900
602 N. Staples Street, Suite 130
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
txdmv.gov