Pleasanton, TX DWI Defense Lawyer

Knowledgeable DWI Defense Attorney for Clients in Pleasanton, Texas

If you are accused of drunk driving in Texas, you could be arrested and formally charged with a crime. The fast-moving legal proceedings can be overwhelming, and without proper representation, you could face jail time, fines, and other punishments. A Pleasanton DWI defense lawyer can help protect your rights and help you prepare a strong legal strategy.

At Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, we are equipped to handle a wide range of drunk driving charges, from DWI to intoxication manslaughter. With decades of legal experience, Attorney Sam H. Lock has the requisite knowledge and skills to put up a confident defense in a DWI case, pursuing the best possible result through unrelenting advocacy.

What Is DWI?

Under Texas law, a person is considered intoxicated if blood or breath tests show a blood‐alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, or if the individual's mental or physical faculties are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. General signs of impairment include erratic steering, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, delayed reaction time, and unsteady balance.

DWI charges apply not only to alcohol, but also to controlled substances and prescription medications when they impair driving ability. A first DWI offense is usually classified as a misdemeanor, carrying potential fines and county jail time. Aside from these criminal penalties, your license could also be suspended after a DWI arrest for months at a time.

Subsequent DWI offenses carry increasingly severe consequences, with higher fines, longer jail terms, and the possibility of felony classification for multiple DWIs. Seeking immediate legal representation after an arrest is key to minimizing the long-term impact of a DWI.

Should I Blow Into a Roadside Breathalyzer?

At a DWI traffic stop, the police officer may ask you to blow into a portable breathalyzer to determine your BAC. It is important to understand that you are under no obligation to submit to a roadside breathalyzer, and it may be beneficial to your case to refuse a portable breath test. If you are arrested for DWI, however, you must submit to a formal chemical test or face a lengthy license suspension under the state's implied consent laws.

Additionally, field sobriety tests that require you to stand on one leg, walk in a straight line, or track an object with your eye cannot always be treated as accurate measures of drunkenness. Outside factors can skew your performance on these tests, and the officer's subjective observations are not always reliable. By declining these preliminary tests, you can deny police and prosecutors evidence that could later be used against you in court.

What Should I Do After a DWI Arrest?

After a DWI arrest, every word you speak can be used against you. While in police custody, you should exercise your right to remain silent and ask for legal counsel immediately. Consulting a skilled DWI defense lawyer as soon as possible is vital to safeguard your interests. Your attorney can go over different defense strategies with you, such as:

• Scrutinizing the validity of the traffic stop and arrest procedures
• Challenging the administration and calibration of chemical tests
• Contesting the admissibility of field sobriety results on grounds of improper instructions or environmental factors
• Asserting medical conditions that may skew BAC readings

Our firm is highly familiar with how DWI cases are prosecuted, and we can help you strategize to reach the best possible outcome.

Meet With a Pleasanton DWI Defense Attorney

At Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, we can provide you with a robust defense and clear legal advice to challenge allegations of drunk driving. To schedule an initial consultation today, call our offices at 210-226-0965 or contact our Pleasanton, Texas DWI defense lawyer.