A DWI charge in Texas carries serious consequences, including fines up to $2,000 for a first offense, up to 180 days in jail, and license suspension for up to a year. Repeat offenses lead to steeper penalties, with fines up to $10,000, longer jail sentences, and mandatory ignition interlock devices (IIDs).
Beyond legal penalties, a DWI can impact your career, reputation, and daily life. Weatherford sees many DWI cases, reflecting strict enforcement and determined prosecution. With cases moving quickly, having skilled legal support is essential.
Our firm has successfully defended DWI cases in Weatherford and across Texas. Known for our client-focused approach, we’ve helped clients avoid convictions, reduce charges, and keep their licenses.
We understand the fear and uncertainty of a DWI charge and are committed to guiding you through this challenging time with compassion and determination.
Don’t Delay in Consulting Our Weatherford DWI Lawyers to Protect Your Rights
In Texas, you have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. This hearing determines whether your driver’s license will be suspended, independent of your criminal case.
Missing this deadline means automatic suspension, affecting your ability to work, run errands, and take care of daily responsibilities. Our attorneys will request the ALR hearing, present evidence on your behalf, and challenge the suspension, helping you keep your license.
Quick action also allows us to build a stronger defense. We move fast to gather key evidence, including:
- Police reports to identify procedural errors.
- Breathalyzer and blood test results to challenge accuracy and reliability.
- Dashcam and bodycam footage to uncover inconsistencies.
- Witness statements that may support your case.
Without legal guidance, many individuals unknowingly harm their case by making statements to law enforcement or missing important deadlines. Our attorneys ensure you understand your rights, advise you on what to say and do, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your situation.
What to Do After a DWI Arrest in Weatherford
Getting arrested for DWI is overwhelming, but your actions in the following moments can significantly impact your case’s outcome. Knowing your rights and taking the right steps can help you avoid a DWI conviction and other legal issues.
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- Stay calm and composed. Panicking can lead to mistakes that may hurt your case. Remaining calm during the traffic stop helps you avoid actions that law enforcement may interpret as probable cause or reasonable suspicion for further investigation, such as field sobriety tests or a blood alcohol test.
- Exercise your right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you in court. For example, admitting to having “just one drink” might seem harmless, but prosecutors can use it to suggest impairment, especially during a first DWI offense. Politely decline to answer questions until you have our defense attorney present.
- Request legal representation immediately. Contacting criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible increases your chances of securing the best possible outcome. Our experienced defense attorney will help suppress evidence gathered during a traffic stop if your rights were violated, potentially leading to a dismissal of charges.
- Preserve evidence and details. Write down everything you remember as soon as possible: where you were, what you drank when you were stopped, and what the officer said and did. Include details about sobriety tests, such as field sobriety tests or breathalyzer tests, and whether law enforcement had probable cause or reasonable suspicion to pull you over. These details can help your legal team challenge the evidence presented by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Avoid discussing your case. Do not share details about your arrest with anyone besides our attorney. Statements made to friends, family, or online can be used against you in court, increasing the risk of a criminal conviction.
| 💡 Mindful Driving: Be patient, follow the speed limits, and avoid multitasking—driving is about focus and precision. |
How Our Weatherford DWI Attorneys Can Help
With years of combined experience, our skilled Weatherford attorneys know how to build a strong defense and help you get the best possible outcome in your case. Here is how we can help:
- Immediate Legal Guidance. The first hours after your arrest are critical. Speaking to our DWI defense attorney immediately helps prevent statements that could lead to a DWI conviction in Texas. For example, admitting to drinking or agreeing to chemical testing without knowing your rights may harm your case. Our proactive approach ensures you avoid common missteps that can affect the outcome.
- Protecting Your Rights. Police must have probable cause to arrest you and follow strict procedures during a traffic stop. If officers lack probable cause or violate your constitutional rights, evidence may be suppressed, which may help your case. Our attorneys will carefully review your arrest to challenge any violations and fight for the best outcome.
- Gathering Evidence and Case Assessment. We examine blood alcohol content (BAC) results, field sobriety tests, and police reports, looking for errors that can weaken the prosecution’s case. Faulty testing devices or procedural mistakes may help you beat a DWI, especially for first-time offenders.
- Tailored Defense and Court Representation. Every case is unique, so we create a defense tailored to your situation. Our attorneys will negotiate for reduced charges or dismissal if you face a first DWI or risk driver’s license suspension. With a former prosecutor on our team, we know how to challenge the prosecution’s case and fight for a positive resolution.
Why Choose Our Weatherford DWI Lawyer?
Here’s why clients throughout Weatherford and beyond trust our law firm to guide them through this difficult time:
- Local Expertise. We know the courts, judges, and law enforcement in Weatherford and surrounding areas. This local knowledge often makes a big difference. For example, knowing how specific judges approach first-time DWI cases can help us build a defense that aligns with what they’re more likely to consider for reduced penalties or dismissal.
- Commitment to Client Success. Every client’s situation is unique, and we are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome. Whether it is getting charges reduced to avoid a criminal record or preventing driver’s license suspension, we focus on securing results that make a real difference in your life. One client, arrested after failing field sobriety tests, avoided jail time and kept their license because we successfully challenged the probable cause for the traffic stop.
We proudly serve clients in:
- Weatherford
- Dallas
- Collin
- Frisco
- Parker
- Tarrant
When your future is on the line, you deserve our defense attorney who puts your needs first.
Contact our Weatherford DWI lawyers today for a free consultation, and let us help you move forward.
Types of DWI Offenses We Handle in Weatherford
Our skilled and experienced Weatherford attorneys handle many DWI cases, helping clients protect their futures and avoid the harsh penalties for a DWI conviction.
Here is how we can help throughout the legal process:
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- First, Second, and Subsequent Offenses. A first DWI might seem like a minor bump in the road, but it can still lead to fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Repeat offenders face steeper consequences, including years in prison. Our attorneys will carefully examine police reports, testing methods, and other evidence to challenge any mistakes, aiming to prevent a permanent criminal record.
- Aggravated & Felony DWI. When factors like a high blood alcohol content or previous offenses are involved, a DWI in Texas can escalate to a felony. The penalties are more severe, but a strong defense can help reduce or dismiss the charges. We assess whether law enforcement followed proper procedures and find grounds to challenge the evidence.
- DWI with a Minor Passenger. Driving under the influence with a child passenger is treated like driving with a ticking time bomb—Texas law views it as a serious offense, often leading to felony charges. Our defense focuses on protecting clients’ constitutional rights while minimizing the long-term impact on their lives.
- Boating While Intoxicated (BWI). Like driving a car, operating a boat under the influence can result in steep fines, license suspension, and jail time. We help clients challenge the evidence, such as field sobriety tests that may have been affected by the boat’s motion.
- Commercial Vehicle DWI. For commercial drivers, a DWI can sink a career. Even a first offense can result in a suspended commercial driver’s license and job loss. Our attorneys understand the difficult legal regulations for commercial drivers and work to help clients keep their livelihoods.
- Intoxication Assault & Manslaughter. These are among the most serious DWI charges, carrying the potential for years in prison. We approach these cases with a detailed investigation of the crash scene, police reports, and chemical tests, looking for evidence to help reduce or dismiss the charges.
- Drug-Related DWI. Driving under the influence of drugs—whether prescription or illegal—comes with many of the same penalties as alcohol-related DWI. We scrutinize the methods used to test for impairment, often challenging unreliable or improperly obtained results.
- Underage DWI. Texas has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21, meaning any detectable alcohol can result in a DWI charge. For young offenders, the goal is often to avoid a permanent criminal record that could limit future opportunities. We focus on minimizing penalties and exploring options like deferred adjudication.
| ⚠️ If you receive a notice of revocation for your driver’s license, don’t act without consulting an attorney. Legal missteps could make matters worse. Call our DWI defense lawyer right away for defense strategies. |
Understanding DWI Charges in Weatherford
Knowing the legal limits and potential penalties can help you understand what is at stake.
- Legal BAC Limits. In Texas, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.08% for most drivers. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%. For drivers under 21, Texas has a zero-tolerance policy—any detectable alcohol can result in a DWI charge. Even if your BAC is below the legal limit, you can still be charged if law enforcement believes your driving was impaired.
- Potential Penalties. The penalties for a DWI depend on factors like your BAC level, prior offenses, and whether there were aggravating factors. A first DWI can lead to fines up to $2,000, up to 180 days in jail, and a license suspension of up to one year. A second DWI increases penalties up to $4,000, with jail time ranging from 30 days to one year. For a third DWI, fines can reach $10,000, with two to ten years in prison and a license suspension of up to two years. Additional penalties may apply if a child passenger was present or if your BAC was 0.15% or higher.
- Long-Term Impacts. A DWI conviction can follow you long after you have paid your fines or served jail time. It can limit your job opportunities, especially if your career involves driving or requires a clean criminal record. Employers may hesitate to hire someone with a DWI; background checks for housing or professional licenses can reveal the conviction. Even a first-time offense can create hurdles that are difficult to overcome.
How would a DWI affect your future job prospects or personal goals? Can you afford to risk a criminal record that could limit your opportunities?
If you are facing a DWI charge, contact our experienced DWI attorneys today.
Contact Our Weatherford DWI Attorneys Today!
Waiting to seek legal help can lead to missed deadlines, lost evidence, and a harder path to defending your case. The sooner you act, the better your chances are to reduce penalties, protect your license, and avoid a criminal record.
Our skilled and experienced Weatherford attorneys are ready to help you through this difficult time. We understand the stress and uncertainty you’re feeling, and we’re here to provide the guidance and defense you need.
Contact us today for a free consultation:
Phone: Call us at (972) 528-0116
Contact Page: Fill out our form on our contact page.
Email: Email us at info@mcconathylaw.com