Saginaw DWI Lawyer

Working with a Saginaw DWI attorney could allow you to put your charges behind you.

If the sobering statistics surrounding drunk driving aren’t enough to dissuade you from hitting the road after a few shots, the fact that you can also be charged with a damaging DWI may serve as motivation to call a cab after a night out.

Should you be hit with a DWI charge, however, there’s no need to give up. To increase your chance of escaping your DWI charge, contact a Saginaw DWI lawyer at the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy today.

Potential DWI Penalties

Drunk driving offenses are no joke in Texas, where penalties vary greatly, often based on whether you’re a first-time offender. Keep in mind that the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Texas is .08, a threshold that different people reach with different amounts of alcohol.

Those charged with a DWI may have to pay a fine and serve jail time, although not all sentences are uniform. First-time offenders, for example, may be dealt a $2,000 fine, anywhere from three to 180 days behind bars, temporary license suspension, and expensive fees to maintain their license once it has been reinstated.

For those with previous offenses, these penalties, along with others, only increase in severity.

We strongly advise you to never drive inebriated with a minor in your car, as this felony can lead to severe penalties, even for first-time offenders. Without a lawyer on your side, getting a DWI in Saginaw with a passenger younger than fifteen in your vehicle may subject you to the following:

• Up to $10,000 in fines
• A two-year prison sentence
• License suspension for up to six months

It’s important to remember that Texas’ open container laws do not permit drivers to have unsealed alcoholic beverage containers in their vehicle at any time.

Viable Defenses

If you’ve been charged with a drunk driving offense, you and your attorney may be able to invoke a legal defense to free you from being convicted. Still, because it’s usually your word against that of the arresting officer, you shouldn’t necessarily expect to have your charge completely dropped.

Nevertheless, it’s always worth a shot, and working with a Saginaw drunk driving lawyer will give you the best possible chance. Examples of defenses you may be able to use include the following:

• Lack of Probable Cause – If a police officer pulled you over without having reason to do so, your chances of having your charges dropped may increase dramatically.

• No Miranda Rights – Many aren’t aware of their right to stay silent and obtain legal representation in any circumstances. That’s why law enforcement officers are obligated to inform you of your Miranda rights.

• Witness Accounts – Being able to prove that your so-called drunk driving was caused by other factors, such as being tired or bickering with another passenger, could at the very least help prove you weren’t driving drunk, even if you receive other, lesser penalties.
• Inaccurate Sobriety Indicators – Not all sobriety tests are conducted under optimal circumstances, which can lead to inaccurate readings. If you believe you’ve been subjected to a faulty sobriety test, you may be able to invoke this as a legal defense.

Reach Out to a Saginaw DWI Attorney

If you’ve been charged with a DWI, navigating the road to clearing your name won’t be easy, but it can be done. To give yourself a good chance of dodging a drunk driving conviction, contact a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy today.

Call us at 817-605-1010 to schedule an appointment with a Saginaw DWI lawyer. If you would prefer to reach out to us online, head to the bottom of this page to fill out the online contact form.