By Jeff Kennedy
Fort Worth DWI Lawyer With 20 Years Of Experience
Were you arrested for a DWI? Are you terrified and concerned about what’s going to happen next? Contact me today if you want aggressive defense.
If you’ve recently found yourself facing a DWI charge in Fort Worth, TX, it’s vital to understand the gravity of the situation ahead. This isn’t just a legal hiccup; it’s a serious offense that can ripple through your life for years to come. From fines and license suspension to a tarnished record, the consequences of a DWI conviction in Texas are significant and far-reaching.
DWI Representation: You Need the Best DWI Defense
You don’t have to face this alone. You have options, and the first step is securing a qualified DWI defense attorney like Jeff C. Kennedy.
He has been helping people fight DWI charges for more than twenty years. He’s Texas-educated and has a proven track record of success—and he’s ready to help you fight your DWI charges and win.
Hire A DWI Attorney That Fights For You
Facing a DWI charge is daunting, but with Jeff by your side, you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost care and expertise. He’ll challenge evidence, explore every legal avenue, and ensure that your rights are fiercely defended every step of the way.
Strategies for Beating DWI Charges
Strategies for a DWI charge requires a thorough and deep understanding of the law. DWI defense lawyer Jeff C. Kennedy has this experience, and has handled hundreds of DWI charges in Fort Worth and surrounding counties.
He has a proven track record with DWI cases being dismissed, acquitted, or reduced. Every case is different, but there are some common strategies that can be employed.
- Challenging the officer’s reasonable suspicion for the stop.
- Questioning the officer’s probable cause for the arrest.
- Scrutinizing the administration of field sobriety tests.
- Contesting the validity of breath or blood tests.
- Highlighting any inaccuracies or false information in search warrants.
- Leveraging expert testimony to challenge intoxication timing.
- Asserting lack of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
GET A FREE STRATEGY SESSION WITH DWI ATTORNEY JEFF C. KENNEDY
Consequences Of A DWI Charge In Fort Worth Texas
DWI offenses consequences can include probation, suspension of a driver’s license, hefty fines, alcohol education programs, or jail time. Your best option is to find an attorney that is familiar with the county court systems. This attorney will have the experience you need to understand what penalties, fines or jail time you might be facing in the county where you were charged.
Below we have listed out the fines, jail time and penalties for DWI charges in the state of Texas. These will be based on the specifics of your case, and your blood alcohol level at the time of arrest, including previous DWI’s on your record or if you had an accident.
- 1st Offense DWI: Your first Texas DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $4,000 fine. Your license will also be suspended for a year, and you will have to pay a three-year license retention fee of up to $2,000.
- Classification: Class B Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 3-180 days in jail, up to a $2,000 fine.
- 1st Offense DWI with an Open Container:
- Classification: Class B Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 6-180 days in jail, up to a $2,000 fine.
- 1st Offense DWI with a BAC .15 or Higher:
- Classification: Class A Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 0-365 days in jail, up to a $4,000 fine.
- 2nd Offense DWI (Repeat Offender): Your second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, punished by up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine. Your license will be suspended for two years, and you may have to pay a three-year license retention fee of up to $2,000.
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- Classification: Class A Misdemeanor
- Punishment: 30-365 days in jail, up to a $4,000 fine.
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- DWI with a Child Passenger:
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- Classification: State Jail Felony
- Punishment: 180 days – 24 months in state jail, up to a $10,000 fine.
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- 3rd or more Felony Repetition: Your third or subsequent DWI will likely be classified as a third-degree felony. The penalty is between two and ten years in prison, as well as a fine of no more than $10,000. Your license will be suspended for two years, and you may have to pay a three-year license retention fee of as much as $2,000.
- Classification: 3rd Degree Felony
- Punishment: 2 – 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division (penitentiary), up to a $10,000 fine. Despite similar circumstances, Felony Repetition is notably different from a misdemeanor DWI.
If your DWI includes an injury, fatality or accident, the state can add additional charges.
- Failure to Leave Information (ranging from a class C to a Class A misdemeanor)
- Failure to Stop and Render Aid (2nd or 3rd degree felony)
- Intoxicated Assault (3rd degree felony)
- Intoxicated Manslaughter (2nd degree felony)
- Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (2nd degree felony)
Top 3 Reasons You Need An Attorney To Fight a DWI Charge!
If you are thinking, “it’s just a DWI,” you will be shocked to find out how serious a DWI conviction can be on your life. Here are 3 reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney that has experience defending DWI charges.
- Severe Legal Penalties: The legal consequences for a guilty verdict can be substantial, depending on the circumstances of your case. We’re talking about substantial fines, jail or prison time, license revocation, installation of an ignition interlock device, completion of a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, and other penalties.
- Damage to Your Driving Record: Even if you are fortunate to get through your legal penalties relatively unscathed, your driving record will reflect your conviction for years to come. That means increased car insurance premiums difficulty obtaining employment.
- A Criminal Record That Haunts You: A DWI conviction will likley remain on your criminal record indefinitely. This can influence your ability to find work, housing, and obtain financial assistance for educational opportunities, as your conviction will be readily available to anyone who may need to perform a background check on you.
Schedule Your DWI Case Review With Jeff C. Kennedy Today
Jeff has the experience to achieve the best outcome for your specific case. More importantly, he has handled DWI Cases for decades in the Fort Worth and surrounding areas in Tarrant County. He knows the law, and he knows the court systems. Call today for a free case evaluation.
Schedule your consultation by calling 817-605-1010 today.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS WE ARE ASKED ABOUT DWI CHARGES
Whether this is the first time you have been arrested for a DWI or you are a habitual offender, you likely have questions about what’s going to happen next. Check out the quick FAQ below to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions former DWI clients have had.
Am I going to jail for a first time DWI in Texas?
Do I have to be driving to get a DWI?
What is the legal definition of a DWI in Fort Worth, Texas?
Texas Penal Code 49.04 Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- (a) A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.
- (b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.
- (c) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person operating the motor vehicle had an open container of alcohol in the person's immediate possession, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of six days.
- (d) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that an analysis of a specimen of the person's blood, breath, or urine showed an alcohol concentration level of 0.15 or more at the time the analysis was performed, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
