Karnes City, TX DWI Defense Lawyer

Knowledgeable DWI Defense Attorney for Clients in Karnes City, Texas

Charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) should not be taken lightly. If you are accused of this offense, you could face strict punishments, ranging from jail time to the suspension of your driver's license. For that reason, seeking legal representation for a DWI charge is critical. A Karnes City DWI defense lawyer can advocate for you in court and help you fight the charge with a well-reasoned argument.

At Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, we have years of experience representing clients in DWI cases. When you work with our firm, we will not resort to a plea bargain as the first line of defense, instead focusing on how to get the charges dismissed by fighting for your innocence. No matter the case, we will work toward an optimal outcome, keeping your needs in mind.

First-Time DWI in Karnes City

A first-time driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense in Karnes City is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. To secure a conviction, the state must prove that you operated a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, or that your ability to drive safely was impaired due to intoxicating substances in your body. Upon conviction, you face up to 180 days in jail and a potential fine of up to $2,000.

Certain facts can elevate a first-offense DWI into a more serious charge. If your impaired driving causes serious bodily injury, the charge may rise to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

If a death results from your intoxicated operation of a vehicle, you could be charged with intoxication manslaughter—a second-degree felony carrying up to 20 years of confinement. The presence of a child passenger under 15 or a BAC of 0.15 percent or above may also result in enhanced penalties. Regardless of the circumstances behind your arrest, seeking legal representation is critical for protecting your rights.

Charges of Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) in Texas

The state of Texas prohibits operating any watercraft—including personal watercraft, motorboats, and sailboats—while intoxicated. Boating while intoxicated (BWI) uses the same legal standard as a DWI on land, namely, a BAC of at least .08 percent or proof of impairment. A first-time BWI is charged as a Class B misdemeanor, with penalties mirroring those for a first-offense DWI.

Enhanced penalties apply when a BWI incident results in serious bodily injury or death. In such cases, the charge may escalate to a felony, and you could face significant prison time. Texas law also criminalizes leaving the scene of a BWI accident involving injury or death.

Ways to Challenge a DWI Charge

Defending a DWI or BWI requires a detailed examination of every phase of the criminal proceedings, starting from the initial traffic stop:

• Questioning the legality of the traffic or vessel stop, including whether officers had reasonable suspicion
• Contesting field sobriety test administration and accuracy based on environmental or health-related factors
• Reviewing chemical test procedures, maintenance logs, and calibration records for breathalyzers or blood-testing equipment
• Investigating the chain of custody for blood samples and whether medical protocols were followed
• Identifying constitutional violations, such as improper Miranda warnings or unlawful search and seizure

Attorney Sam Lock can work with you from the early stages of your case, reviewing the events leading up to your arrest in detail. By scrutinizing police reports, video recordings, and laboratory documentation, our firm can expose weaknesses in the prosecutor's case and work toward dismissal or reduced charges.

Contact a Karnes City DWI Defense Lawyer Today

If you have been accused of a drunk driving offense, Law Offices of Sam H. Lock can advise you of how to respond to the charge and defend you in court. To arrange your consultation today, call us at 210-226-0965 or contact our Karnes City DWI defense attorney.