Don't Lie Down if Facing DWI Conviction in Sugar Land
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DWI Arrest in Sugar Land?
It's very stressful to be arrested for DWI. You need great legal representation by your side.
It's one of the more frequent offenses in Sugar Land, but DWI can be expensive for those arrested. If you had a BAC of .08% or above, you can be arrested for it.
The state of Texas and the prosecutors in Fort Bend County are very aggressive when pursuing DWI convictions. That's where Michael & Associates can help you.
Expensive Fines and Jail Time Await Those Convicted
Just because there are a lot of arrests for DWI in Sugar Land, people sometimes think the penalty for a conviction isn't steep.
Those people are dead wrong.
Here are the sentences that the prosecutor will seek for DWI convictions:
First Offense:
- As high as a $2000 fine
- From 6 months to 180 days in jail
- Driver's license suspension for up to a year
Second Offense:
- As high as a $2000 fine
- Between one and twelve months in jail
- Driver's license suspension for up to two years
Third+ Offense:
- As high as a $10,000 fine
- From 2 and 10 years in prison
- Suspension of driver's license for up to two years
- Felony on your record
Driving with underage passengers, or causing property damage prior to your arrest will trigger a sentence enhancement as well, which means that those cases are ones the prosecutor may fight hard to win.
One Error Shouldn't Define Your Path Forward
It's not just the jail sentences and fines either. You can see huge insurance hikes, and the credit checks to find a home rental become harder to pass if you are convicted.
The stakes are quite high, so be sure to choose a great team to have at your side.
There are a lot of pitfalls ahead if you have a misstep. The legal team at Michael and Associates has seen the mistakes that others made, so we can help you avoid them.
Michael & Associates Is in Your Corner
The Michael & Associates legal team has almost ten full years under our belts, winning cases just like yours. We are problem solvers who help get lives back on track.
With hundreds of cases argued in and around Sugar Land, we have the experience needed to get sentence reductions and even outright dismissals of cases.
Our custom defense is highlighted by the white-glove treatment we give our clients. We look to give the most comprehensive case review and formulate the best defense strategy possible, which leads to results.
The bloated firms are pushing clients through like tickets at a deli counter. But we offer full access to Ben Michael - our managing partner - who will do everything he can to make the process easy to understand and reduce the huge amounts of stress being placed on your shoulders.
At Michael & Associates, we pride ourselves on this approach. Schedule a free case review today and let's start planning your DWI 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
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Allegations: After being stopped for weaving in and out of traffic, our client was given a field sobriety test which they failed.
Result: Case dismissed due to illegal evidence
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 2nd Offense
Allegations: The client was stopped and refused to take the breathalyzer exam. They took the field sobriety test and failed it. This was the second arrest for DWI
Result: Reckless driving
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Allegations: The client was pulled over after failure to yield to oncoming traffic. They refused to take the field sobriety test and took a blood test at the station after their arrest.
Result: Case Dismissed
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Sugar Land, the average annual cost of car insurance is $876. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $1,261, an increase of $385.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $900 | $816 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,296 | $1,175 |
| Increase | $396 | $359 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,428 | $816 | $720 | $678 | $636 | $684 |
| With DWI Conviction | $2,056 | $1,175 | $1,037 | $976 | $916 | $985 |
| Increase | $628 | $359 | $317 | $298 | $280 | $301 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
The situation is simple, Michael & Associates offers clients the white glove treatment, and the best outcome they can get.
There are dozens of lawyers out there that will charge you less and promise you the world. However, when you have a question, these are questions that need to be addressed with individualized attention. They're not going to give each case the best effort. They are going to take the easiest route. They are just conveyor belts for the courts.
With Michael & Associates, we limit our caseload to a hard cap. This gives us the freedom to be flexible with the needs of our clients.
Other firms may promise that they'll put you in touch directly with the firm's leaders, but will you actually ever get that chance? With us - not only do you get Ben’s office line, but you also get his personal cell phone. Yes, you can text him or call him day or night. Now that’s service.
Ben is ready to walk you through every step and detail, so you feel comfortable the whole way through. It's our goal not only to get you the best possible outcome, but to also make this as painless as possible.
Michael & Associates accepts clients for misdemeanor and felony cases that include but aren't necessarily limited to the following:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
We aren't practitioners of:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Driving While Intoxicated in Sugar Land
In Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, and anywhere else in the state of Texas, motor vehicle operators who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be charged with driving while intoxicated. What exactly is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), and why is it so important to know about?
There are many factors that can affect your blood alcohol concentration. The amount of drinks that will put you at a BAC 0.08% depends on several factors, including your sex, weight, and tolerance to alcohol.
In Sugar Land, the penalties vary based on how many offenses you have had.
First Offense
- As much as a $2,000 fine
- As many as six months in jail, with three mandatory days
- Lose your driving privileges for up to one year
Second Offense
- As much as a $4,000 fine
- One month to a year in jail
- Lose your driving privileges for up to 2 years
Third Offense
- A $10,000 fine
- Two to ten years in prison
- Lose your driving privileges for up to two years
Additional fines and sentences apply if driving with a child in the car, which can include:
- Increased fines up to $10,000
- As many as two years in jail
- Six months added to your driver's license suspension
As soon as you're pulled over by the police, please pull over. Do not attempt to evade them as you will likely fail to outrun them and will be charged with extra crimes.
Once an officer approaches your vehicle, be polite, honest, and cooperative. The officers will appreciate your cooperating, and they'll be ten times more likely to return your documents faster. You will most likely also be checked for any outstanding warrants during the stop. This step is fairly quick and only takes an extra few minutes.
Officers might inquire whether you know why they pulled you over. Just let the know you don't know the reason by saying "No Sir" or "No Ma'am". The probable cause they want to establish can make the case harder for your lawyer to win, so don't tell them a reason.
As the officer explains to you what the tests will entail, simply state that you do not wish to participate because you believe you will do poorly. Politely but firmly tell the officer that you would like to speak with your lawyer before you are put through these tests.
You may still be arrested on the grounds of slurred speech, alcohol smell, or bloodshot eyes. Field sobriety tests are designed for police officers to “blur the lines” between being drunk and sober. Police officers have even been known to make arrests even when drivers are under a .08. You should politely decline these tests because breath and blood tests are not always accurate and can lead to license suspensions.
If your test results are above the .08 limit, you can also be charged with DUI. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you challenge the test results and preserve your driving privileges.
The officer may obtain a warrant to force you to take the blood test after you are arrested, but the warrant will take some time to clear.
Never incriminate yourself and be sure to ask for your lawyer at the earliest possible chance.
The worst thing you can do when charged with a DUI is plead guilty or admit your guilt. Even if you are guilty, there are often ways to craft a defense and get a better outcome.
Helpful Locations for Sugar Land Residents
Sugar Land Courthouse
(281) 275-2560
1200 Hwy 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
sugarlandtx.gov
Sugar Land Police Department
(281) 275-2500
1200 Hwy 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
sugarlandtx.gov
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(713) 493-0599
1449 Hwy 6 #360
Sugar Land, TX 77478
ariserecoverycenters.com
Department of Motor Vehicles
(713) 219-4100
12220-A, S Gessner Rd
Houston, TX 77071
dps.texas.gov