A DWI in Killeen Can Cost You Big Time.
We're here to help.
Arrested for DWI in Killeen?
Getting arrested for a DWI is stressful and time-consuming. There are very few things that can set you back like an arrest for driving while intoxicated
Anyone stopped for driving a motor vehicle with a BAC at or over .08% in or around Killeen can be charged. It is a very common crime, and one that many people are arrested for each month.
That said, the state of Texas and the Bell County court system isn't going to cut you any breaks. You need to fight to restore your rights. Michael & Associates can help.
DWI Arrests are Costly and Stressful
DWI is so common here in Killeen, but that doesn't mean that the penalties are slight. That might be the perception, but it's not reality.
The price for a DWI conviction is quite high.
Here is what can happen if you are convicted of DWI in Texas:
First Offense:
- As much as a $2000 fine
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Suspension of driver's license for up to a year
Second Offense:
- As much as a $2000 fine
- From one to twelve months in jail
- Suspension of driver's license for as many as two years
Third+ Offense:
- As much as a $10,000 fine
- Between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Suspension of driver's license for as many as two years
- Felony record
Other enhancements are tacked on for property damage, child endangerment, or accidents causing bodily injury to others or passengers.
Don't Let One Error Define Your Fate
You can face car insurance hikes, or even have your job hunt made to be much more difficult. It can be hard to pass background checks after a DWI conviction, and that goes for renting homes as well.
The serious nature of the situation is evident. You have to find the right person to fight for you.
If you were arrested for a DWI, you need to have a fighter by your side. Call us and get your free case review started right away.
Michael & Associates Fights For You
We here at Michael & Associates have been fighting DWI cases for nearly ten years.
We have a long record of fighting, and winning, DWI cases in and around Killeen. Most of the cases we accept wind up reduced up even dismissed.
We like to tell our clients they can look forward to getting a high-touch, white-glove DWI defense. It's the way we process each case on its own, without overloading our firm with too many at once.
The bloated, cheaper firms will treat you like a number. We offer our clients complete contact with Ben Michael - our managing partner - and he will do his level best to help you understand the case, the defense plan, and the potential best outcome.
At Michael & Associates, we fight for you. Our legal team will be by your side making sure you get the outcome you hope for. Contact us today to get started on your custom defense strategy.
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 in Killeen
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Location: Killeen, TX
Allegations: Officers pulled over the client for speeding and they failed sobriety test. This led to the client being arrested for DWI and being taken to the station.
Result: Case dismissed after a motion to suppress the state's illegal evidence.
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 2nd Offense
Location: Killeen, TX
Allegations: The client refused the initial breath test after being stopped. They failed a field sobriety exam and got arrested for their second DWI
Result: Plea agreement reached for reckless driving
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Location: Killeen, TX
Allegations: The client failed a breath exam and was taken to the station for questioning.
Result: Full dismissal of all charges
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Killeen, the average annual cost of car insurance is $708. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,020, an increase of $312.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $744 | $684 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,071 | $985 |
| Increase | $327 | $301 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,044 | $684 | $600 | $624 | $480 | $588 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,503 | $985 | $864 | $899 | $691 | $847 |
| Increase | $459 | $301 | $264 | $275 | $211 | $259 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
Two things set Michael & Associates apart. Our white-glove treatment, and fighting for the best outcome you can get.
Other firms promise you the moon and stars, but when it comes time to deliver they definitely failed to launch. We know that you are in the fight of your life, and when you call us, you get your calls returned right away.
At Michael & Associates, we can focus on one case at a time, because we only accept a set quota of cases each month. We keep that number low, so our customer service can remain high.
We give every client Ben Michael's personal cell number and you can reach out to him day or night with any questions you might have. At the bloated firms, you are lucky if you get the answering service. Forget about having a call returned right away.
our white glove treatment means that Ben will be at your side explaining everything in the process so that it's easy to understand. He makes sure your customized defense strategy is understood and approved before moving forward to fight on your behalf.
Michael & Associates accepts criminal cases of all varieties. We will work with anyone arrested for a misdemeanor or felony that includes (but not limited to):
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
We don't practice:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
We can practice law anywhere in Texas. If you are anywhere in the middle of Austin & San Antonio, give us a call and we can get started right away.
Driving While Intoxicated in Killeen
In Killeen, Bell County, or any other city in Texas, the legal limit for DWI is 0.08% or higher. If you are at or above that number you are likely to be arrested for driving while intoxicated. That acronym, "BAC" measures the percentage of your bloodstream that is alcohol.
The amount of drinks you need to consume to be at 0.08% varies from person to person. Depending on how strong the drinks were, their age, height, weight, and sex, the amount of time that elapsed after stopping will be different for every person.
Sentencing depends on how many prior offenses you have in Killeen, just like any other city in the state of Texas.
1st Offense
- As steep as a $2,000 fine
- As many as six months in jail upon conviction, with three minimum days
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to a year
2nd Offense
- As steep as a $4,000 fine
- One month to a year in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to two years
3rd Offense
- As steep as a $10,000 fine
- As many as 2 to 10 years in prison
- Suspension of your driver's license up to two years
The sentencing guidelines for child endangerment call for an increase in punishment:
- Increased fines as steep as $10,000
- As many as two years in jail
- Six more months of a of driver's license suspension
Always make sure that you stop for the officer immediately. If they think that you were fleeing you could face a much harsher penalty than a simple misdemeanor.
When they come up to the window and ask for your license and insurance, be sure to ask if you can reach for the paperwork before doing so. You don't want to inflame the situation and make things worse for yourself than they already are.
The next thing they ask is often a question meant to trick you into admitting guilt. They will ask if you knew why you were stopped. If you say you know, and give a reason, that reason becomes the probable cause for the stop and you eliminate a typical line of defense.
You can refuse the initial tests, and probably should refuse them if you think you are going to fail. Just be sure to do so politely, since you are on camera and the video will be used as evidence against you. Tell the officer that you aren't comfortable taking a test without being advised to take one by an attorney, and ask to speak to one if they place you under arrest.
You could still be arrested if you have slurred speech, the odor of booze on your breath, or red, swollen eyes. If you are arrested you will probably be ordered to take a breath or blood test. If you refuse that test after you are arrested you will lose your license for a year. The reality is that could have been the outcome anyway, so be sure to ask your lawyer to fight that on your behalf.
You might be ordered to undergo a blood test, but that will take time to perform at the hospital.
Never incriminate yourself, and always ask to speak with your lawyer at the earliest opportunity you have to do so.
Never simply plead guilty to a DWI. If you have been arrested for DWI you need to fight the charges to get your rights restored. Find a lawyer that will stand by your side and advocate on your behalf to regain your freedoms.
Helpful Locations for Killeen Residents
Killeen Courthouse
(254) 501-7850
200 E Avenue D
Killeen, TX 76541
killeentexas.gov
Killeen Police Department
(254) 501-8830
3304 Community Blvd
Killeen, TX 76542
killeentexas.gov
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(254) 434-6764
5200 S W S Young Dr
Killeen, TX 76542
virtuerecoverycenter.com
Department of Motor Vehicles
(254) 616-1800
5100 W Elms Rd
Killeen, TX 76549
dps.texas.gov