Austin Felony DWI Lawyer

When you're facing a felony drunk driving charge, there's a lot at stake. Defend yourself and protect your future by working with an Austin felony DWI attorney.

If you already have previous driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions on your record, you're probably aware that the penalties for DWI get more serious with each one. Once you reach your third offense, the charge becomes a felony, and you could be facing some serious legal consequences.

If this is the situation you find yourself in, you should know that you aren't automatically doomed to a conviction. While it's true that you're less likely to receive leniency, it's still possible to fight a felony DWI and win.

To successfully challenge your third or higher DWI, work with an Austin felony DWI lawyer from Hines & Holub.

Texas Penalties for a Third or Subsequent DWI

While the first and second DWI offenses are misdemeanors, Texas treats a third or subsequent DWI as a felony charge. Once you reach this point, you have to do everything you legally can to avoid a conviction, because the punishments are harsh:

• • Third-degree felony

• • Fine up to $10,000

• • Between two and ten years in prison

• • Two-year drivers license suspension

• • Annual fee of $1,000-$2,000 to retain license after suspension expires

• • Ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle if you have at least two DWIs within five years

 

This isn't the only felony you can receive that's related to drinking and driving, however. If you had a child passenger in the vehicle when you were arrested, you can be charged with a state jail felony-and this can be assessed on your first or second DWI, as well.

Other Repercussions of a Third Driving While Intoxicated Conviction

These consequences are serious, but they don't even touch on the cost to your personal and professional lives. As a third DWI is a felony charge, a conviction means that you'll now be a convicted felon, a label that will follow you around for the rest of your life.

Getting a job, applying for a loan, renting a house or an apartment . . . all of these things get much harder when you have a criminal record. You might not have to experience any of this if you work with an Austin felony DWI attorney who knows how to build a proper defense, however.

The Defense You Need to Beat a Third DWI

No DWI arrest is guaranteed to end in a conviction-no matter how cut-and-dry it might seem. Even if the evidence seems insurmountable, the police may have committed a procedural error or violation of your rights that gets the evidence dismissed.

If there isn't any evidence, there isn't a case against you.

It's also important to keep in mind that no sobriety test is without its flaws. Field tests can be affected by environmental factors and are often up to the officer's judgment. Breathalyzers don't give correct readings every single time, either.