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Weatherford, Texas DWI Defense Lawyer

DWI Defense Lawyer | Weatherford, Parker County

Aggressive Defense of Drunk Driving Charges in Texas

An arrest and conviction for drinking and driving in Texas can dramatically change your life. Your driving privileges will likely be suspended, and you could face jail time. There are potentially significant fines, and a conviction can have an impact on auto insurance rates, employment options, housing, educational opportunities, child custody, and your right to own or possess firearms. When you’ve been pulled over and charged with any type of drunk driving offense, you want an aggressive, knowledgeable and proven DWI defense lawyer to protect your rights. You want The Loftin Firm.

About The Loftin Firm

Attorney Loftin brings more than 25 years of high-level criminal law experience to individuals in Weatherford and across Parker County who are under investigation for or have been charged with a crime, including driving while intoxicated (DWI). The Loftin Firm has also represented countless defendants in criminal proceedings throughout the greater Fort Worth area.

A former prosecutor and district court judge, attorney Loftin has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the criminal laws and procedures in Texas. As a prosecutor, he handled all types of criminal trials, from drug crimes to homicide, never losing a felony prosecution. In his criminal defense practice, he has successfully represented clients charged with almost every type of crime, from DWI to sex offenses, assault, drug charges, theft offenses, gun crimes, murder, and other violent offenses.

Because Attorney Loftin has been both a prosecutor and a district court judge, he knows how to anticipate the tactics the state will employ, as well as how the judge will respond to certain types of arguments or strategies.

At The Loftin Firm, every potential criminal defense client is entitled to a free initial consultation. To arrange a meeting, call 817-441-8933 or contact me by email.

Understanding DWI in Texas

Unlike many other states, Texas makes a legal distinction between the charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI):

  • What Is DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Texas?— In Texas, a person may be charged with driving while intoxicated if they are found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher while operating a vehicle in public. A DWI is typically prosecuted as a Class B misdemeanor but can be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor if the BAC is .15% or higher. Both adults and minors can be charged with DWI.
  • What Is DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in Texas?— Driving under the influence is a lesser offense in Texas, commonly prosecuted as a Class C misdemeanor. A person may be charged with a DUI only if they are under the age of 21. However, a minor may be charged with driving under the influence if there is any level of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Why Do You Need a DWI Lawyer in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas?

A DWI prosecution can be complex and confusing, with hearings to determine both the status of your driver’s license and the potential penalties for a conviction. An experienced Weatherford DWI defense attorney will know the potential consequences, as well as the ways you may either have the charges thrown out or plea bargain to a lesser offense.

What Are the Potential DWI Penalties and Punishments in Weatherford, Parker County?

The legal consequences of a conviction for driving while intoxicated vary, based on a number of factors, including how many times you have been convicted and whether there were complicating circumstances:

  • Your first offense— Even if you’ve never been convicted before, you could still face serious sanctions, including a fine of up to $2,000, 180 days of incarceration, and the loss of your driving privileges for up to a year.
  • Second DWI— The fine for a second conviction has the potential to double (up to $4,000). You could lose your drivers’ license for up to 24 months, and you may be sentenced to anywhere from a month to a year in jail.
  • Third (and subsequent) DWI— After a third conviction, you can expect fines of up to $10,000, the loss of your driving privileges for two years, and anywhere from two to ten years in prison
  • Intoxication assault or manslaughter— In Texas, you can be charged with “intoxication assault” if you cause serious bodily injury to another person while operating a motor vehicle, boat, plane, or amusement ride while intoxicated. The penalties include a potential $10,000 fine, up to ten years of incarceration, and the loss of driving privileges for up to two years. If you cause the death of another person, you may be charged with intoxication manslaughter, with similar fines and loss of driving privileges, but up to 20 years in prison.
  • DWI with a child passenger— In Texas, you can be charged with this crime if you are operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with anyone younger than 15 in your car. You’ll face the loss of your driver’s license for 6 months, a potential jail term of two years, and a potential fine of $10,000.

How The Loftin Firm Can Help You in a DWI Case?

The Loftin Firm will carefully investigate your case to help determine whether you should seek a plea bargain or take your case to trial. Attorney Loftin can be at your side for all interrogations and will prepare and file all documents necessary to protect your constitutional rights. He’ll carefully review the facts and circumstances of the traffic stop to ensure that law enforcement officers had probable cause to pull you over. If there are irregularities or violations of your rights, he’ll either ask the court to throw out any tainted evidence or dismiss the charges, if appropriate. He’ll be your advocate at all hearings or proceedings, including the administrative hearings to determine the status of your driving privileges.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

There’s no secret to getting good results in a criminal prosecution. It takes knowledge, experience, skill, and hard work. That’s the Loftin advantage.

To schedule an appointment, call The Loftin Firm at 817-441-8933 or contact attorney Loftin online. Your first consultation is free.

Effective Advocacy for Clients Across Parker County, Texas, Including Weatherford,
Willow Park, Aledo, and Annetta, and Throughout Fort Worth

Frequently Asked Questions About DWI in Texas

What are the penalties for DWI offenders in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas?

The potential penalties for conviction on DWI charges will depend, in part, on the severity of the offense and whether you have any prior convictions:

  • For a first offense, you can, in the worst-case scenario, be fined up to $2,000 and sentenced to up to 180 days in jail. Your driver’s license may also be suspended for up to a year.
  • For a second DWI conviction, regardless of how long it’s been since your first conviction, the potential penalties are substantially higher—up to $4,000 in fines and up to one year in jail, as well as the loss of driving privileges for up to 24 months.
  • With any subsequent DWI convictions, you risk a potential $10,000 fine, the loss of your driver’s license for up to two years, and up to 10 years in prison
  • Texas also has specific sentencing guidelines for two other drunk-driving charges.
    • If you cause serious injury or death while driving drunk, you can face either intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter charges. Intoxication assault is a 3rd degree felony, with fines of up to $10,000, up to 10 years in prison and up to two years suspension of your license. You may also be ordered to have an ignition interlock device on your car, to attend alcohol education or DWI classes, or to perform community service. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony, with a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, fines of up to $10,000, and loss of your driver’s license for two years.
    • If there’s a person under the age of 15 in your car at the time you are arrested, you can be charged with “DWI with a child passenger.” This crime carries potential sanctions of up to 2 years of incarceration, a $10,000 fine, and loss of your driver’s license for six months.

How much does a lawyer charge to defend a DWI in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas?

The total legal costs for legal representation when you face DWI charges in Parker County will vary, typically based on the amount of time your lawyer must spend defending you. While some attorneys may charge a flat fee to handle a DWI, most bill by the hour. You will, however, usually spend at least $2,500 and can spend $10,000 or more.

Will I lose my driver’s license after a DWI arrest in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas?

You don’t generally lose your license automatically when you are arrested for driving while intoxicated. Typically, the police officer will take your license but give you a “notice of suspension” sheet that substitutes for your license until your hearing (up to 40 days). You have 15 days to request a hearing regarding your driving privileges. If you don’t request a hearing, your license will be suspended after 40 days.

How can a DWI lawyer help me in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas?

An experienced attorney can be your advocate throughout the process, accompanying you during all legal proceedings, as well as any interrogations. Your lawyer can ensure that you don’t say or do anything that will jeopardize your defense. In addition, your attorney will prepare and file all necessary documents, gather and preserve relevant evidence, and be your voice in all hearings, meetings, or proceedings.