Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is an offense that can result in significant penalties. In Texas, you are legally intoxicated when your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or more. However, you break the law as soon as drugs or alcohol affect your driving abilities, regardless of your BAC level.
If you are charged with a DWI, you can work with an attorney to potentially evade conviction or reduce the penalties associated with a conviction if it isn’t possible to avoid responsibility completely. However, some mistakes may make achieving a favorable outcome in your case challenging. Examples include:
Not taking your case seriously
Not treating a DWI case with the seriousness it deserves is a mistake. This charge risks significant fines, jail terms and loss of driver’s license. Besides, a DWI conviction goes on record, and it can stay on it permanently. For this reason, you should learn more about your legal rights and get necessary help building a strong defense.
Talking to the police
You can answer simple yes or no questions from the police when they stop you for a DWI or when you are charged. However, telling them about the incident and trying to prove your innocence may worsen matters. What you say can incriminate you. You can politely decline to answer questions until you have a professional present when speaking to the police.
Not fighting back
Pleading guilty, paying fines and moving on with life seems like the simple way out. However, the conviction will go on your permanent record. This can increase your insurance premiums significantly. You may also miss out on employment opportunities that involve driving.
Thus, it’s crucial to fight a DWI charge. You potentially can challenge a breathalyzer or field sobriety tests. You can also potentially argue that the stop was illegal.
If you are charged with a DWI, obtain more information about your legal rights to determine the best defenses to use to protect your freedom and your record.