A DWI in Schertz Can Destroy Your Finances.
We're here to assist you.
In Schertz and charged with a DWI?
No one enjoys being charged with a DWI. Many people say it's one of the most stressful events in their life.
DWI means driving while intoxicated. When a driver has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above, they can be charged with a DWI. It might surprise you to find out it's one of the more common crimes in Schertz.
While it is common enough, it can carry severe penalties, and both the government of Texas and the court system of Guadalupe County can make life difficult for those with DWI charges. This is why Michael & Associates exists.
A DWI Can Cost You A Lot in Fines and Land You Behind Bars
Just because DWIs are common in Schertz doesn't mean you'll get a slap on the wrist.
The penalties are actually quite severe.
Here are the penalties for DWI convictions in Schertz:
1st Offense:
- Up to a $2000 fine
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Loss of your driver's license for up to a year
2nd Offense:
- Up to a $2000 fine
- Between 1 and 12 months in jail
- Loss of your driver's license for up to two years
3rd+ Offense:
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Loss of your driver's license for up to two years
- A felony charge on your criminal record
While this list is bad enough, it doesn't even include the multitude of enhanced charges that can be added when driving with a child onboard or in similar situations.
Don't Let One Mistake Ruin Your Entire Life
Not only could the DWI result in criminal penalties, it can also lead to the loss of your driver's license, make it more difficult to find employment, and raise your car insurance payments.
Your life isn't worth throwing away over one fairly common mistake. You owe it to yourself to get the best help possible in your defense in all of Schertz.
If you're looking at DWI charges, don't show up in court alone. Hire an experienced and competent attorney for yourself that has the time to treat your case as if it were their own.
Michael & Associates Will Help You Out
We here at Michael & Associates have been fighting DWI cases for almost a decade.
We've gone to court with our clients for hundreds of DWI cases in Texas, and we've gotten most of these cases either dismissed or the charges reduced.
Our mission is to give our clients first-class treatment. We treat each case on an individual basis and fight as hard as possible to ensure our clients get the best outcome possible for their case. We earn our high win rate.
Unlike the other firms in Schertz- the larger, cheaper, and less personal ones - we don't treat you like Joe Schmoe. You will get full access to our managing partner, Ben Michael, himself. Not only that, but we'll walk you through every step of the journey to saving your finances and reputation.
You're taken care of at Michael & Associates. Be sure to schedule a free case review with us, and we'll start planning your defense immediately.
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 Schertz
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Location: Schertz, TX
Allegations: Police pulled our client over under the assumption that he was intoxicated while driving. Our client failed the field test for sobriety and was escorted to the police station in the back of a squad car.
Result: Case was thrown out after filing a motion to suppress illegally obtained evidence.
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 2nd Offense
Location: Schertz, TX
Allegations: After being pulled over, the client refused a breathalyzer test and opted for another one. She failed that test and was arrested on her second DWI offense.
Result: Case Was Pleaded Down to Reckless Driving
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Location: Schertz, TX
Allegations: Client made an illegal u-turn in front of a police officer. A blood test and breathalyzer test were both administered.
Result: Case Dismissed Completely
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Schertz, the average annual cost of car insurance is $720. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,037, an increase of $317.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $744 | $708 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,071 | $1,020 |
| Increase | $327 | $312 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,248 | $588 | $588 | $552 | $516 | $516 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,797 | $847 | $847 | $795 | $743 | $743 |
| Increase | $549 | $259 | $259 | $243 | $227 | $227 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
In short, Michael & Associates treats you like a VIP and will help you get the best outcome possible for your case.
There are dozens of lawyers all around the Schertz area that will charge you less money and promise you better results. However, you'll be disappointed to find out their promises were empty. They won't return your calls for days, they'll only speak to you through their secretary, and they'll treat your case like it's one of the other fifty cases they have on their plate at their large firm. They won't put up the fight that we will.
At Michael & Associates, we don't take on nearly as many cases. Why? Simply put, we would rather earn your payment by helping you win instead of taking your cash and putting in minimal effort.
What do we mean by treating you like a VIP? You get Ben Michael's personal - not work - number. We encourage you to call him, day or night, on his cell. The other guys? You're lucky if their secretary passes your message along.
Ben himself will be the one who walks you through each step of the case. He will ensure your comfort throughout the entire journey, because he knows this is a stressful time and wants to ease your pain as he gets your case dismissed or charges dropped.
Michael & Associates tackles the majority of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, including these:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
To ensure our best efforts in the cases above, we do not handle:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
We're licensed to practice throughout the entirety of Texas. We're currently handling cases for all counties between San Antonio and Austin.
Driving While Intoxicated in Schertz
In Schertz, Guadalupe County, and the rest of Texas, anyone who is driving a vehicle and caught with a BAC of 0.08% or higher can face a DWI charge. BAC is a measurement of the percentage of your blood that is currently made up of alcohol.
There is no magic formula for ensuring that your BAC stays low which is why DWI cases are so common. It can depend on your weight, height, how many drinks you've had, and how strong each of those drinks were among other factors.
In Schertz, the penalties for driving while intoxicated vary based on how many offenses you have had in your past.
First Offense
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- Up to 180 days in jail with three being mandatory
- Loss of driver's license for up to a year
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
Third Offense
- A $10,000 fine
- Two to ten years in prison
- Loss of driver's license up to two years
Further penalties apply if driving with a child passenger or if faced with another enhanced charge, which include:
- Additional fines up to $10,000
- Up to two years in jail
- Additional 180 days of driver's license suspension
Your first course of action is to pull over as soon as you can in the safest way possible. Never run from the police as they will catch you, and you will face even worse charges.
After the officer comes to your vehicle, act as polite and courteous as possible. You will be asked to present the officer with your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Inform the officer of their location in a polite manner and slowly retrieve them.
Most officers will ask you if you know why you have been pulled over, because they must justify pulling you over in court. Never admit to the officer why they've pulled you over even if you know. Simply reply with "no sir" or "no ma'am."
Know your rights. You can refuse both a preliminary breathalyzer test as well as the field sobriety test. It is best to refuse these if you even think you'll fail them. All you need to do is state that you're not comfortable doing these tests at the moment and that you would prefer to speak with your attorney before doing so. It is best to assume you're always on video, so maintain a polite attitude.
Depending on if you show other signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or smelling strongly of alcohol, you can still be arrested. If you are arrested, you will probably be asked to take a blood or breathalyzer test to establish your BAC. Be careful rejecting these requests as this can result in a license suspension. Be aware, though, that if these tests are failed, it can also result in a license suspension. No matter what, your lawyer will fight for you.
If the tests are refused, an officer may be able to obtain a warrant to force you to take them, but this can be a timely process in some cases.
Remain silent throughout the entirety of questioning and get in touch with your lawyer as soon as you possibly can. Protect yourself.
Yes, yes, yes. Never plead guilty or give up when you're facing DWI charges. Even if you are charged and it shows up on your record, fighting it will result in less severe consequences in the majority of cases.
Helpful Locations for Schertz Residents
Schertz Courthouse
(210) 619-1500
1400 Schertz Pkwy
Schertz, TX 78154
schertz.com
Schertz Police Department
(210) 619-1200
1400 Schertz Pkwy #6
Schertz, TX 78154
schertz.com
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(210) 692-0001
7400 Blanco Rd #129
San Antonio, TX 78216
lahacienda.com
Department of Motor Vehicles
(210) 731-2130
15150 Nacogdoches Rd Ste. 100
San Antonio, TX 78247
txdmv.gov