Frequently Asked Questions

Q. DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE FIELD SOBRIETY TEST OR CAN I REFUSE?

A. You can, in fact, refuse to take the FST, but officers are not required to let you know that you can refuse if the matter came to a trial. 

Q. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE PENTALTIES FOR BEING CONVICTED OF A DWI?

A. 90 days – 1 year of license suspension for 1st offense
1 year or more for 2nd offense
No less than 3 days in jail
$2,000 fine, alcohol education classes, community service, probation and court costs.
$1,000 – $2,000/year for three years collected by Department of Public Safety

Q. IF I AM UNDER 21 CAN I STILL GET CHARGED FOR A DWI?

A. Yes, it is still possible for you to be convicted of a DWI if the officer who arrests you feels as though you were intoxicated beyond the point of .08 BAC. Most minors, however, get charged with a Driving Under the Influence  (DUI) violation.

 

Testimonials

“Thank you so much for your descriptions how to prepare my Austin DWI defense and hire a strong DWI attorney.  I was pulled over three months ago and arrested and to spend a few days in Travis County Jail, and, because the officer didn’t show up, I wasn’t convicted in court!”

-John H.

“I had no idea until I came to your site that the Field Sobriety Test can be refused.  A cop pulled me over on 15th street two weeks ago and asked me to take the test.  When I refused he even tried to persuade me into doing a demonstration of the test with myself as the subject.  Thanks for your help!”

- Ashley Y.

“Hey guys. Thanks for your help letting me know what the true penalties that result from a DWI conviction can be. It helped me get my defense quick!"

- Sam B.

“Thanks for the info on your site! My lawyer tried to make a big deal of the fact that he got the prosecutor to “allow me to plead no contest.” When I called him out on the fact that there is no actual difference between pleading no contest and not guilty in a case where no one was injured, he started putting actual time into getting a defense prepared for my case.  In the end I only received deferred adjudication from the Judge because of the great work my defense attorney did for me"

- Brian W.

“I made sure I learned about the facts of my case and Texas DWI laws BEFORE searched for a local defense attorney as you advised.  It really helped me make an educated choice on which lawyer to choose.”

- Cindy S.

“Wow.  Who knew that the Department of Public Safety was REQUIRED by new Texas laws to collect that surcharge?  That is $6,000 I didn’t have to spend because I pleaded not guilty and had the case dismissed. Thanks for your help!"

- Caitlin H