Brazoria County DUI & DWI Attorney

What are the Penalties for DUI & DWI Charges in Texas?

Few feelings are more stressful than seeing lights flashing behind you while driving. Being pulled over and asked to submit to field sobriety and chemical testing on suspicion of DUI can be confusing and upsetting, especially if you did nothing wrong. While law enforcement strives to keep drunk drivers off the road, this does not mean they are free of errors. It must be proven that you were over the legal limit to be convicted of a DUI/DWI.

Every DUI/DWI charge has the potential to yield different penalties. For example, a first-time DUI charge is a Class B misdemeanor and has the potential to involve:

• Up to $2,000 in fines
• 72 hours-180 days in jail
• 90-365 days license suspension

However, a 3rd-time DWI is a 3rd-degree felony and could involve:

• Up to $10,000 in fines
• 2-10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• 180 days to 2 years license suspension

If you were charged with DUI, it is important that you seek representation right away. Call our Brazoria County DUI/DWI attorney at the Law Office of Tom & Ann Stickler to investigate your case and aggressively protect your rights.

Defenses Against DUI/DWI Charges

There are many reasons why a police officer may pull you over such as swerving, abruptly or illegally turning, tailgating, or slow response to traffic signals. While these may be signs of drunk driving in their eyes, there are other explanations for this behavior, such as lack of rest or distractions.

Can Police Officers Be Guilt of Unlawful Stops

Yes, police officers are occasionally guilty of unlawful police stops, meaning that they had no valid reason to pull you over. In other cases, field sobriety tests and chemical tests (breathalyzer) may yield inaccurate results. All of the points listed above are possible defense strategies we can use to question the arrest or charges against you.

Every case varies widely and no two outcomes are exactly the same, nor are the penalties you might face. In order to understand your charges and take action, you should speak with an Brazoria County DUI/DWI defense attorney right away. At the Law Office of Tom & Ann Stickler, we have more than 20 years of experience representing clients against criminal charges, including DUI/DWI.