DWI Attorney in Williamson County

Attorney Ryan Deck and his team provide experienced defense for all types of DWI cases, including:

• Misdemeanor DWI
• Felony DWI
• Repeat offender DWI
• Drug DWI
• “Wet Reckless” cases
• Ignition interlock device DWI

What are the potential consequences of a DUI conviction?

The state of Texas does not treat DUI / DWI offenses lightly. The penalties associated with a DUI will range case-by-case, and can be enhanced depending on certain factors, such as the BAC level, or if there were any injuries or deaths associated with an accident caused by a drunk driver.

Even first-time offenders could be facing lengthy jail time sentences, extensive legal fees, and revocation of a driver's license. In some instances, an individual who has been convicted of DUI will need to complete Alcohol Treatment Programs, may need to install an ignition interlock device, or may suffer increased insurance premiums.

License Suspensions for DWI in Williamson County

When a person has been arrested for driving while intoxicated, usually one of his first concerns is the status of his driver's license.

It is never advisable to voluntarily take a breath or blood test. However, it is important to realize that the Texas Department of Public Safety will suspend your driver's license for 180 days for refusing either of these tests. If you take a breath or blood test and fail (i.e. your BAC level is higher than the legal limit of 0.08), your driver's license will be suspended for 90 days. Although a refusal actually results in a longer driver's license suspension, one should always refuse these tests. Defending DWIs is much more difficult, though certainly not impossible, when there is a breath or blood test involved.

After your arrest, the officer will give you a temporary driving permit. This will act as your license, allowing you to drive, for 40 days from the date of the arrest. After that 40 days, the license will be suspended (90 days for a test failure or 180 days for a refusal). A person is entitled to request a live or telephonic hearing to contest the license suspension. This request must be done within 15 days of the arrest. If a hearing request has been made, the 40 days no longer apply, and instead, the license will not be suspended until after the hearing has been held (if the person loses at the hearing).

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that a person can typically get an occupational license during the suspension period. An occupational license allows you to drive to limited important locations such as school or work.