If a defendant pleads guilty or no contest to a DWI case – there
will always be a conviction on a criminal record (no such thing as a deferred
adjudication on DWI cases).
If there was an accident involved – there can be great financial
differences between a no contest and a guilty plea or finding.
If a defendant does not request a hearing within 15 days from the date
of either an alleged breath/blood test refusal or an alleged breath/blood
test failure, ones driver’s license is automatically suspended even
if the case is not subsequently prosecuted (if proper notice of suspension
was given to the defendant).
If your license is suspended, you still may be able to legally drive to
and from work, for the essential needs of your employment and for the
essential needs of your household activities up to 12 hours per day.
Judges and magistrates may require an ignition interlock as part of a condition
of bond (even prior to a conviction or before a defendant is formally charged).
A second DWI conviction can result in a driver’s license suspension
for up to 730 days.
A DWI (FIRST OFFENSE) CARRIES A MINIMUM PUNISHMENT OF 72 HOURS IN JAIL
(IF THERE IS A CONVICTION) – The maximum punishment for a first
offense is up to 180 days in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $2000.00
Field sobriety tests (if conducted properly) are usually only approximately
77% – 86 % accurate.
The Intoxilyzer 5000 machine (the breath test machine used in Texas) result
is not always admissible in Court. If you took a test and allegedly failed
, can the State "prove-up" your breath test ??