Repeat and Felony DWI Attorney

Effective Defense Strategies for the Most Serious Texas DWI Charges

Felony DWI Charges | Repeat DWI Charges Lawyer

If you face severe penalties related to drunk driving in Collin County or elsewhere in North Texas, it is advisable to work with an experienced defense lawyer who knows how to minimize your exposure to punishment. Recent legislation makes the penalties for repeat DWI more serious in Texas than ever before, and felony charges can now be filed if the defendant has two prior drunk driving convictions, no matter how old they are.

For the advice of seasoned defense attorneys who know how to attack the most serious DWI charges while working toward the lightest possible penalties under the circumstances of the case, contact Gibbs Nolte Robison Rose, PLLC, in McKinney. Our own law enforcement, prosecution and judicial experience gives us valuable insight into the preparation and proof of the most serious DWI cases and helps us find the most effective defense strategies in a wide variety of situations.

Call 972-725-1307 for Advice about Repeat DWI Defense

Texas DWI, or driving while intoxicated, is a criminal offense that requires the prosecution to prove driving without the normal use of physical faculties or mental faculties due to alcohol or drug use, or proof of a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher. In other words, a DWI conviction can be based on a lower concentration of alcohol than .08 percent, provided that the prosecution can prove that the driver did not have the normal use of physical or mental faculties.

The severity of the punishment for DWI is based on a number of factors, with prior convictions playing a major role in escalating the penalties. Here’s a rundown of the basic penalties for DWI in Texas as they increase with prior convictions:

• First offense: Class B misdemeanor, fine up to $2,000 and/or 72 hours to 180 days of jail
• Second offense: Class A misdemeanor, fine up to $4,000 and jail of not less than 30 days or more than one year
• Third or subsequent offense: Third-degree felony, fine up to $10,000 and confinement in prison of not less than two years or more than 10 years

Although the defendant might qualify for serving the mandatory jail time on weekends over time on a second DWI conviction, you can see that the minimum jail or prison penalties for repeat offenses are both harsh and inflexible.

To give yourself the best chance of defeating a charge of repeat or felony DWI, it makes sense to work with lawyers who know how to win difficult cases. We take a comprehensive approach to DWI defense that relies on our ability to investigate the facts and expose weaknesses in the evidence while at the same time working toward gaining the greatest possible advantage on issues related to charging decisions and sentencing.

Given the high stakes involved with a conviction, you will need accurate and clear advice about the choice between accepting a plea offer with sentencing recommendations and taking your defense to trial. Our experience can guide you through this difficult decision. The fact that our attorneys are well known as effective courtroom advocates can help improve your bargaining leverage as well.

Resolving Criminal Charges Related to Drunk Driving Accidents:
Contact a Skilled McKinney, Texas DWI Defense Lawyer Today

Felony DWI charges can also be filed in cases of intoxication assault or manslaughter. These charges are brought in Texas drunk driving accident cases when someone in either vehicle is seriously injured or killed. The statutory penalties for alcohol-related accident cases are the same as those provided for third or subsequent DWI convictions, but no prior convictions of drunk driving are necessary to support felony charges in accident cases involving injury or death.

At Gibbs Nolte Robison Rose, our personalized and fully committed client service approach can help protect your interests from the earliest stages of the case, like the initial charging decisions, to trial preparation, trial and sentencing. To learn more about the ways you can benefit from our experience with the toughest Texas drunk driving charges, contact us in McKinney for a free consultation.