A DWI in Katy Can Cost You Big Time.
We're here to help.
Hit with a DWI Charge in Katy?
If you've recently been charged with a DWI in Katy or elsewhere in Fort Bend County, you shouldn't throw in the towel yet. You can still fight for your future.
DWI is an acronym that stands for driving while intoxicated. It's sometimes also referred to as a DUI or driving under the influence. It's legalese for driving drunk. It's one of the more common crimes around Katy.
You face some serious penalties if you're caught on a DWI. Since it's an easily avoidable crime, the Fort Bend County courts will often treat offenders harshly. This is why we created Michael & Associates.
What Are the Penalties for a DWI in Katy
Just because DWIs are a common crime doesn't mean that Katyites don't suffer from the penalties. They can be quite harsh: jail time and heavy fines. Here are the penalties for DWI convictions by the number of offenses:
First Offense:
- You must pay up to a $2000 fine
- You must spend between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Loss of driver's license for up to a year
Second Offense:
- You must pay up to a $2000 fine
- You must spend between 1 and 12 months in jail
- Loss of driver's license for up to two years
Third or More Offense:
- You must pay up to a $10,000 fine
- You must spend between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Loss of driver's license for up to two years
- Felony charge on your record
If you were caught making a traffic violation or, worse, driving with a minor in the car, you can face severe enhanced charges.
Never Give Up - Go on the Defense
There is often only one deciding factor between someone who gets hit with the full force of DWI penalties and someone who has their case dismissed: the first person gave up early on and the second one hired a competent lawyer or defense team to save their skin.
In addition to the legal penalties, you might suffer further financial and social ones. It can range from higher car insurance rates to not being able to find a job. This is your future at stake. Be like the second person in the paragraph above: put up a fight.
Michael & Associates Is Your Best Option in Katy
Why hire a mediocre firm that costs less in the short term but costs you more in the long term through harsher penalties? It'll be hard to enjoy the initial $100 you saved when you're sitting in county jail for half a year even after saying goodbye to your savings.
Go with Michael & Associates from the start. Why? We have the years of experience and the case count under our belts to know what we're doing. We know DWI laws like the back of our hand, especially in Fort Bend County.
Katyites can count on us to provide them with the best service possible. We will treat your case like it's our own, and our managing partner, Ben Michael, will be there personally to answer any and every question you have.
Rest assured with Michael & Associates that we'll get your case dismissed or your charges dropped. Contact us to schedule a free case review.
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: The arresting officer had been following our client for a few blocks after he was seen stumbling to his car from his favorite drinking joint. He waited until the client was seen running a stop sign before pulling him over and administering a breathalyzer.
Result: Reduced Charges
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Allegations: Client failed a field sobriety test after making an illegal U-Turn late at night.
Result: Case Pleaded Down to a Fine for Breaking Traffic Laws
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Allegations: Client was pulled over after driving too slow. She refused all of the breathalyzer tests and was facing a license suspension.
Result: Case Dismissed
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Katy, the average annual cost of car insurance is $924. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,331, an increase of $407.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $960 | $876 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,382 | $1,261 |
| Increase | $422 | $385 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,524 | $804 | $756 | $708 | $636 | $792 |
| With DWI Conviction | $2,195 | $1,158 | $1,089 | $1,020 | $916 | $1,140 |
| Increase | $671 | $354 | $333 | $312 | $280 | $348 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
If you aren't familiar with our firm, let me introduce Michael & Associates to you. We're the lawyers who will help you win while treating you like family.
We aren't the kind of lawyers you hear jokes about. We pride ourselves on the level of service we provide to our clients. We never take on more clients than we're able to handle to the standards we hold ourselves to.
The firm's managing partner is Ben Michael, and he will be available at your beck and call. You get access to his private cell phone number - not just the office's number. That means you can reach him directly without dealing with any secretaries or office managers.
If you have a burning question at 2am, shoot a text his way. He'll answer it when he can. If you need anything else to make you feel at ease, he will be there for you along with the rest of us.
The other firms in Katy will give off a great first impression, but when it comes down to it, they simply cannot provide the level of care we can due to taking on too many clients at once. Some of these firms have fantastic lawyers, but they're stretched too thin.
Don't settle for sloppy service when it comes to defending your reputation and finances.
You'll be happy to hear we take on almost any felony or misdemeanor in Katy at Michael & Associates. We handle these types of cases:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
Unfortunately, we won't take on:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Driving While Intoxicated in Katy
The legal limit is 0.08% blood alcohol content in Katy, Fort Bend County, and all throughout Texas. If you are caught with this level of BAC or higher, you will be facing DWI charges.
There is no limit to the number of drinks that this limit requires. It depends entirely on the person. The best strategy to fight a DWI is to not get one - try to know your limits and plan your night accordingly if you'll exceed them.
In Katy and Fort Bend County, the penalties will depend on how many offenses you have had and the circumstances of your arrest.
First Offense
- Maximum $2,000 fine
- Minimum of 3 days in jail with a max of 180 days
- Suspension of driver's license for a max of one year
Second Offense
- Maximum $4,000 fine
- Minimum of one month and maximum of one year in jail
- Suspension of driver's license for a max of two years
Third Offense
- Maximum $10,000 fine
- Minimum of two to a maximum of ten years in prison
- Suspension of driver's license for a max of two years
If you're caught with a child passenger, you can face some enhanced charges which include:
- Additional fines up to $10,000
- Up to two years in jail
- Additional 180 days of driver's license suspension
If you've already been pulled over for driving while intoxicated in Katy, it's time to lawyer up. If you are just being cautious, the best strategy is to never drive if you're not 100% sure you're sober. That being said, if you're caught, you can follow some of these steps to increase your chances of doing well on your court date.
There are two main tips: be on your best behavior and know your rights. Don't try to charm your way out of it and never try to flee the scene as it will only lead to worse consequences. Instead, be polite and, while knowing your rights, obedient.
You need to pull over when requested by the police. Find somewhere safe to do so and slowly pull to the side as soon as you can. The officer will approach your car and ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Let him or her know where they are, then slowly fetch the documents. After this process is over, you'll likely be asked if you know why you've been pulled over. Reply with a simple "no, sir" or "no, ma'am." Even if you know why, it'll only hurt your chances in court if you say yes and explain why.
It is within your rights to refuse both the initial breathalyzer and the field sobriety tests. Let the officer know you don't wish to take them without first consulting your lawyer.
You might be taken into the police station anyway, especially if you seem drunk to the arresting officer. At this point, things might seem a little serious, but don't fret. No matter what happens, your lawyer can help you.
The police at the station might try and administer a blood or breathalyzer test to establish your BAC. You may still refuse this test, but it's at the risk of your license being suspended. If you take the test and fail, your license will still be suspended.
If you've refused every test up until this point and the officers are persistent, you might be forced to take a test by way of a warrant. If this happens, you must listen to the officers and take the test.
Even if you fail a test, you shouldn't give up. Having the right lawyer by your side will help you win in the long run.
Yes, you'd be making a mistake not to. If you fight, the worst case scenario is you lose. If you don't fight, you lose no matter what. At least you have a chance of having the charges reduced or case dismissed if you make the courts work for the charges.
Helpful Locations for Katy Residents
Katy Courthouse
(281) 391-4810
5432 Franz Rd
Katy, TX 77493
cityofkaty.com
Katy Police Department
(281) 391-4848
5456 Franz Rd
Katy, TX 77493
cityofkaty.com
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(281) 740-7563
Serene Beans, 1933 East Avenue
Katy, TX 77493
joanneketch.com
Department of Motor Vehicles
(713) 219-4100
12220-A, S Gessner Rd
Houston, TX 77071
dps.texas.gov