San Antonio DWI

If you're ever in a situation where you get pulled over and/or arrested for a DWI in San Antonio, Texas, then you need to know your rights. The whole scenario can be intimidating and embarrassing and often those accused of DWI simply want the whole ordeal to be over so they comply with every request by the officer when it's simply not in their best interest.

Did you know .08 blood alcohol level (or BAC) is the legal limit in Texas but they can arrest you for less - and even still show you were intoxicated through something called "retrograde extrapolation" or by "proving" the loss of your mental or physical faculties? With this alone in mind, it doesn't make too much since to take field sobriety tests to avoid being arrested.

Also, once you are asked to take the blow test, you're already arrested. It doesn't matter whether you take it or not. So with this in mind, no matter what rationales or reasoning a cop may use to coax you into blowing or other field sobriety tests, they're all geared towards acquiring evidence of your guilt. Police officers don't pull you over and ask you how much you've been drinking for no reason. They already suspect you of drinking and driving.

There are many practical flaws that really do surface everyday in DWI testing. Police officers are not perfect. Machines aren't perfect. The administration of DWI tests aren't perfect. The truth of the matter is even if you're accused of DWI in Texas, it certainly doesn't mean you're guilty of it.

The penalties of DWI are very stiff to deter those who drink and drive. Your first Texas DWI conviction is a class B misdemeanor that usually results in some jail time, DWI class, probation, a conditional driver's license (if you can show you need one), 24 to 100 hours of community services and up to $2,000 in fines (can be more with other types of fines).

Your second DWI in Texas is a class A misdemeanor with up to a possible year of jail. This includes up to $4,000 in fines (as well as other types), at least 84 hours of community service, a 32 hour repeat offender program, and other possible additional penalties.

The third DWI conviction in Texas results in a felony conviction. Fines, mandatory penalties, jail time, and overall loss of liberty all increase.

As you can clearly see, it is in your best interest never to drink and drive. The aforementioned penalties are severe and are detrimental to your life in several regards. With that said, if you are in the San Antonio or South Texas area and are pulled over for Driving While Intoxicated, you should immediately contact a San Antonio DWI Lawyer who can provide you consultation and walk you through the process of being charged with a DWI.

When choosing a San Antonio lawyer to represent you, value qualifications such as experience, candor, and reputation. Also take into account your common sense personal impression of the DWI attorney. Questions you may want to ask include: Does the lawyer have an excellent working knowledge of the law? Will this criminal defense attorney fight as hard as they can for my rights?

As one of the larger cities in Texas, San Antonio is one of the primary areas law enforcement is seeking to crack down on DWI's. The best way to avoid being arrested for DWI is to not drink and drive. However, if you have been arrested for DWI in San Antonio, be aware of your rights and the imperfection of systems in place to measure your level of intoxication.