Dilley, Texas DWI Defense Lawyer

Experienced Drunk Driving Defense Attorney for Residents of Dilley

The potential ramifications of a drunk driving charge can have a drastic effect on your life. If you have been accused of this offense, you risk having your license suspended in addition to the threat of incarceration. To protect your rights, consider reaching out to a Dilley, Texas DWI defense lawyer for legal assistance and guidance during this stressful period.

At Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, we prioritize our clients' best interests in every case we handle. When you work with our firm, we will fight to prove your innocence instead of immediately pursuing a plea bargain, working toward the best outcome through a strategy of aggressive advocacy.

The Basics of a DWI Charge

In Texas, you can be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) whenever you operate a motor vehicle in public while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Intoxication may be proven by a breath or blood test showing a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, or through evidence of impaired driving behavior, such as ignoring traffic signals or swerving between lanes.

A first-time DWI is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Upon conviction, you face up to 180 days in county jail, a maximum fine of $2,000, and license suspension. These penalties can disrupt your personal and professional life long after any jail time ends. Our DWI defense lawyer can challenge the validity of the traffic stop, question whether field sobriety tests were properly administered, and review chemical test procedures for calibration or chain-of-custody errors. By attacking weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, we can fight for reduced charges or an outright dismissal in court.

Aggravating Factors in a DWI Charge

Certain circumstances elevate a standard DWI into a more serious offense or bring harsher penalties. Driving with a child passenger under the age of 15, for example, turns a Class B misdemeanor into a state jail felony, raising potential jail time and fines. Repeat DWI offenses follow an escalating scale, as a second conviction is a Class A misdemeanor, and a third becomes a third-degree felony.

When intoxication results in serious bodily injury to another person, the charge is intoxication assault—a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison. If a DWI results in a death, the offense becomes intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony with penalties of two to 20 years behind bars. In each of these scenarios, skilled defense counsel can investigate police procedure, medical records, and accident reconstruction reports to identify gaps in proof or constitutional missteps.

Penalties for Underage DUI in Texas

The state of Texas enforces strict zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21. Any detectable amount of alcohol in an underage driver's system can result in an underage DUI charge. A DUI is typically a Class C misdemeanor, carrying a fine and automatic reporting to the Department of Public Safety, which may trigger an administrative license action. For anyone 17 or older, driving with a BAC of .08 percent or above will result in the same penalties for an adult DWI.

Even without reaching the 0.08 percent BAC threshold for adults, underage drivers risk fines, community service, and a notation on their driving record that can affect insurance rates and future employment. Defense strategies often focus on whether the police had legal grounds to stop the vehicle, whether the breath-testing device was properly administered, and whether the results were reliable. Our firm will mount a vigorous defense on your behalf to protect your rights, considering all possible avenues of defense.

Meet With a Dilley, TX DWI Defense Attorney

At Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, we can fight a drunk driving charge with an aggressive defense strategy. To arrange your initial consultation, contact our Dilley DWI defense lawyer or call our offices at 210-226-0965.