The Fort Worth, TX DWI / DUI Lawyer Who Helps You Out

In Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and the rest of Texas, any driver who has been pulled over and tested with a BAC of 0.08% or above can be charged with a DWI. BAC is the measure of alcohol in your bloodstream.

Folk wisdom might have a prescription for how much you can drink without going over the limit, but never rely on this. There are too many factors - such as age, size, alcohol percentage of the drinks consumed - for there to be a one-size-fit-all solution. If you're in doubt about whether it's safe to drive, it's best to wait until you know.

In Fort Worth and the rest of Texas, you will face different penalties depending on whether it's your first, second, or third-and-up offense.

Your First Offense

• Fine of up to $2,000
• Jail time if convicted, up to 180 days with at least three mandatory days
• Loss of driver's license for up to a year

Second Offense

• Fine of up to $4,000
• One month to a year in jail if convicted
• Loss of driver's license for up to two years

Third Offense

• A $10,000 fine
• Two to ten years in prison if convicted
• Loss of driver's license up to two years

Further penalties may apply if hit with enhanced charges, including:

• Additional fines up to $10,000
• Up to two years in jail
• Additional 180 days of driver's license suspension

The most important thing when being pulled over is to remember that it works in your favor to be respectful and know your rights. Never talk back to the officer even if they are rude to you as you may be recorded on camera. The better you conduct yourself, the better your chances of walking away without a DWI charge.

The first thing you'll need to do when a police car puts its sirens on and the officer asks you to pull over is to obviously pull over. Be sure to do it in as urgent a manner as you can while being safe. You might get the instinct to run away to avoid being caught if you know you've had too much to drink, but push those thoughts down as you will be caught and face worse charges or, more seriously, hurt yourself or others.

The officer will ask you for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. This is standard protocol. Simply and calmly tell the officer where they are in the car and slowly move to get them.

Most of the time, the officer will ask if you know why you've been pulled over. You might want to tell them if you're an honest person, but in this situation, honesty is not the best policy. Polite denial is. Reply with "no sir" or "no ma'am." If you tell the officer why they stopped you, you're only making it worse for yourself when your court date approaches.

It is within your rights to refuse the initial breathalyzer test and the field sobriety test. If you suspect even a little bit that you may fail the test, don't take it. You just need to inform the officer that you feel uncomfortable taking the tests and would prefer to speak with your attorney before taking any tests.

At this point, you may be let go. However, if you show signs of intoxication either via sight, smell, or sound, you can still be arrested and taken to the police station. Once you're there, they will probably administer a breathalyzer test or draw your blood to establish what level your BAC is. You may refuse these tests, but it could lead to a suspension of your license. Your license will still possibly be suspended if you take the tests and fail. No matter the outcome, a strong attorney will help you with this.

Even after you have exercised your right to refuse all the tests, a persistent officer can obtain a warrant and force you to take them.

It is your right to remain silent to avoid incriminating yourself. Exercise this right and contact your attorney as soon as you can.

You should always fight a DWI charge whether it's your first or fifth offense. A good legal team will either get your case dismissed or charges reduced. This is much better than a plea deal or admission of guilt.