A DWI in Garland Can Wreck Your Finances.
We're Here to Serve You.
Hit with DWI Charges in Garland?
Due to the possibility of being hit with an overwhelming amount of penalties, a DWI charge can be one of the most stressful times in someone's life.
Believe it or not, a DWI is actually a pretty common charge in Garland and the rest of Dallas County. To be charged with it, you have to meet the following criteria: 1) be operating a vehicle and 2) have a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or above.
As mentioned above, the penalties can be quite severe. You can be fined thousands of dollars or end up in a county jail. For repeat offenders, you can even be charged with a felony and find yourself in prison. Don't fear, though. Michael & Associates has you covered.
Possible Penalties for DWIs in Garland
Many people are sorely mistaken in thinking that a DWI is basically a slap on the wrist. Whether it's your first or fifth offense, there are serious financial penalties and jail time.
Here are the penalties for DWI convictions in TX:
The 1st Offense:
- Possible $2000 fine
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to a year
2nd Offense:
- Possible $2000 fine
- Between 1 and 12 months in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to two years
3rd+ Offense:
- Possible $10,000 fine
- Between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to two years
- A felony charge on your record that will hurt your chances of employment in the future
None of these penalties include the additional ones that come with enhanced charges. For example, DWI offenders with minors in their car will be hit the hardest.
Don't Give Up Yet - Build Your Defense Team
When our clients come to us, they're not just afraid of the penalties from the court, they're afraid of the stigma that comes with a DWI. If you're facing your third charge, you can be labeled as a felon - the working world isn't very friendly to felons even if it's a non-violent charge.
This is your future at stake. Do the smart thing and lawyer up. Find yourself the most competent, experienced lawyer you can.
Michael & Associates, the Best DWI Lawyer in Garland
We're not being arrogant when we say we have a strong reputation for success. We carry ourselves with pride, because we gets results we can be proud of. After practicing law and taking DWI cases for nearly a decade all over Texas, we have fought literally hundreds of cases. We have won most of them by either getting our clients charges dropped entirely or at the very least reduced.
Not only are we going to get you the best results possible, we'll make you feel like a king or a queen. Unlike the other firms in Garland who pass you off to an office manager or an intern, our managing partner will be there for you.
You get full access to Ben Michael. He and the rest of us at Michael & Associates will cater to your every need to make sure this stressful time flies by in a breeze.
You know you need a strong defense, why not go with the best in town? For a free consultation with Michael & Associates, fill out the contact form on the page.
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
Allegations: Client was alleged to have driven through a stop sign and to have failed a sobriety test.
Result: Charges Reduced
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 3rd Offense
Allegations: Client was looking at a felony charge after illegally u-turning and failing a field sobriety test.
Result: Case Pleaded Down to Reckless Driving
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Allegations: Client was taken into the police station after refusing to take any tests when pulled over. Police administered a breathalyzer and blood test to establish BAC.
Result: Case Dismissed
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Garland, the average annual cost of car insurance is $852. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,227, an increase of $375.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $876 | $828 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,261 | $1,192 |
| Increase | $385 | $364 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,380 | $852 | $732 | $684 | $636 | $684 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,987 | $1,227 | $1,054 | $985 | $916 | $985 |
| Increase | $607 | $375 | $322 | $301 | $280 | $301 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
Michael & Associates prides itself on winning cases and providing great service.
This means two things for you: you will be satisfied by the results you get with us, and you will feel at ease throughout the entire process. We will fight for you to get your charges reduced or to have your case dismissed. We will be there, night or day, when you need us to provide clarifying information on the case or to comfort you during moments of stress.
One of the best things about Michael & Associates is you get access to Mr. Michael himself. Ben Michael will give you his personal number. He enjoys being hands-on with his clients and will give you the white-glove treatment.
He will walk you through each step of the DWI process. He knows it's an incredibly stressful time for most people, so he wants to make sure you're relaxed and ready for your big day in court.
If you go to another firm in Garland, you might find that the prices are a bit lower. We acknowledge that. However, we also know you'll pay more in the long run due to the higher penalties you'll suffer from the cheap firms in town.
The other guys will throw your case into the giant pile that has dozens and dozens of others for the month. They'll do the bare minimum for you, and when your court day comes, this will come back to bite you. You'll likely be looking at the full punishment for your offense.
Michael & Associates will fight for the residents of Garland in almost every kind of felony and misdemeanor case, including the following:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
Michael & Associates does not take cases in these areas:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Driving While Intoxicated in Garland
Throughout all of Texas, including Garland and Dallas County, the legal limit of intoxication is a 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC). If your blood is made up of this percentage or higher alcohol content, you can be charged with a DWI when you are pulled over.
As unfortunate as it is, there is no way to know your BAC without taking a test. This means that if you've been drinking, you don't have a prescribed amount of time to wait until you're safe to get back on the road. It all depends too much on things like weight, height, alcohol tolerance, etc.
The penalties for DWIs in Garland vary greatly on the circumstances and the amount of offenses you have in your past. For possible penalties, see below:
The First Offense
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- You will receive three mandatory days in jail with the possibility of 180 days total
- Loss of driver's license for up to a year
The Second Offense
- Up to a $4,000 fine
- One month to a year in jail
- Loss of driver's license for up to two years
The Third+ Offense
- A $10,000 fine
- Two to ten years in prison
- Loss of driver's license up to two years
Due to the risk of loss of life when driving drunk, harsh penalties can apply if caught driving with a minor or breaking any other laws at the time of your arrest, which include:
- Additional fines up to $10,000
- Up to two years in jail
- Additional 180 days of driver's license loss
There is no easy way to get out of a possible DWI charge. You can do everything you're supposed to, but if you fail the sobriety tests, you can still wind up being charged. Here are some tips to minimize the chances of being charged or to at least give yourself a better fighting chance.
When being pulled over, you should try to find a convenient and safe place to pull over. When you do, stop your car at the earliest chance you can get while still being safe. You will be asked by the officer who stopped you for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Inform the officer of their location before reaching slowly for them to prevent the situation from escalating if they feel threatened.
You will most likely be asked if you know why you were pulled over at this point. The smart answer is "no, sir" or "no, ma'am." Do not volunteer any information, even if it's truthful, that might hurt your chances when your court date comes. The officer needs a proper justification for having pulled you over and providing him or her with one will only hurt you.
Up next, if they suspect that you've been driving while intoxicated, the Garland police will administer a breathalyzer or field sobriety test. It is in your rights to refuse these two initial attempts to establish your BAC. If you have even the smallest doubt of your ability to pass them, it's better to refuse the tests. Let the officer know you wish to speak with a lawyer first.
If you seem visibly drunk, sound drunk, or smell like you just chugged a handle of vodka, you'll be arrested anyway most likely. At this point, you will be asked to take a breathalyzer or blood test if your BAC hasn't been established yet. You can still refuse this test, but it may result in your driver's license being temporarily suspended. If that happens, just remember that your attorney will help you the best they can to restore your driving privileges.
If you have refused all the tests so far, you might be compelled to take one if your officer obtains a warrant. Do not try to resist the mandated test.
No matter what happens, you should remain polite. Even if the arresting officer is your least favorite person in town. It's best to be on your best behavior - you might be recorded during this interaction, so it'll be in your own interest to act respectfully. That being said, be firm in your rights. Lastly, contact your lawyer as soon as you can and answer nothing without him or her.
The only time you shouldn't fight your DWI is if you want to go to jail and pay hefty penalties. If you don't want to or if you want to at least reduce the amount of each, you should find yourself a good lawyer.
Helpful Locations for Garland Residents
Garland Courthouse
(972) 205-2330
1791 W Avenue B
Garland, TX 75042
garlandtx.gov
Garland Police Department
(972) 485-4840
1891 Forest Ln
Garland, TX 75042
garlandpolice.com
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(972) 840-1431
2848 West Kingsley Road, Suite B
Garland, TX 75041
wtcr.net
Department of Motor Vehicles
(214) 861-3700
4445 Saturn Rd A
Garland, TX 75041
dps.texas.gov