DWI
DWI In Texas, a person can be charged with DWI if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. Just because a person has consumed alcohol does not mean the person is "intoxicated." Many factors are involved in determining if a person is intoxicated. Under Texas law, intoxicated means having a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08 or not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties as a result of the voluntary introduction of alcohol, a drug , or a combination of alcohol and drugs. If you are arrested for DWI, it is important to contact us immediately to preserve your rights and privileges, including your ability to continue operating a motor vehicle.
The Texas Administrative License Revocation Program oversees license suspensions and revocations. If you are arrested for DWI you have (15) calendar days from the date of receiving notice of suspension to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to challenge revocation of your license. If you are successful at the ALR hearing, you will retain your ability to drive. If you are not successful at the ALR hearing, you may still be able to obtain an occupational license to drive to and from work, as well as other essential needs. Remember, time is of the essense. If your are arrested for DWI, call Wells Hammel PLLC as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Possible DWI Penalties under Texas Law
DUI (a person under age 21 driving under the influence), Class C misdemeanor
The financial costs of a DWI can be extreme, including administrative fees, fines, court costs, community service, probation fees, alcohol counseling and increased insurance rates. These are just a few potential costs resulting from a DWI conviction. If you are arrested for any DWI offense, you need an experienced attorney to vehemently represent your rights and interests. Wells Hammel encourages you to contact us for a free consultation to see how we may use our skills and experience to be “Your Key to Justice.”
The Texas Administrative License Revocation Program oversees license suspensions and revocations. If you are arrested for DWI you have (15) calendar days from the date of receiving notice of suspension to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to challenge revocation of your license. If you are successful at the ALR hearing, you will retain your ability to drive. If you are not successful at the ALR hearing, you may still be able to obtain an occupational license to drive to and from work, as well as other essential needs. Remember, time is of the essense. If your are arrested for DWI, call Wells Hammel PLLC as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Possible DWI Penalties under Texas Law
DUI (a person under age 21 driving under the influence), Class C misdemeanor
- Up to $500.00 in fines, loss of driver’s license for up to (1) one year, probation and community service.
- Up to $2000.00 in fines, 180 days in jail, suspension of driver’s license, mandatory alcohol-education classes, community service and probation. (You may qualify for and occupational driver’s license)
- Up to $4000.00 in fines, up to (1) one year in jail, extended suspension of driver’s license, probation, community service for a pre-determined period of time and additional mandatory alcohol related classes. (Under certain circumstances, installation of an ignition interlock device on every car to which an individual has access may be ordered, with requisite monitoring fees).
- Confinement in State Jail for no more than (2) two years and no less than 180 days, and a fine up to $10,000.00.
- Confinement in Texas State Penitentiary for a period of no less than (2) two years and no more than (10) ten years. Up to a $10,000.00 fine, extended driver’s license suspension, probation not to exceed (10) ten years, lengthy community service and installation of an ignition interlock device with required monitoring fees. At its discretion, the court may also order inpatient substance abuse treatment and a mandatory prescription for “Antabuse” (a drug which makes individuals violently ill when alcohol is consumed).
- Confinement in the Penitentiary for a period of no less than (2) two years and no more than (10) ten years, a fine not to exceed $10,000.00 and mandated community service of 160 hours to 600 hours.
- Confinement in the Penitentiary for a period of no less than (2) two years and no more than (20) twenty years, a fine not to exceed $10,000.00 and mandated community service no less than 240 hours and no more than 800 hours.
The financial costs of a DWI can be extreme, including administrative fees, fines, court costs, community service, probation fees, alcohol counseling and increased insurance rates. These are just a few potential costs resulting from a DWI conviction. If you are arrested for any DWI offense, you need an experienced attorney to vehemently represent your rights and interests. Wells Hammel encourages you to contact us for a free consultation to see how we may use our skills and experience to be “Your Key to Justice.”
Criminal Law
Criminal Law - The sixth amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to every person accused of a crime to be represented by legal counsel. If you have been charged with a crime, you have a right to a criminal defense attorney. Wells Hammel, PLLC has the experience and skill to defend you in your pending criminal case, and will fight to get you the results you deserve.
Whether the facts of your case call for either negotiating a plea agreement or taking it to trial, Wells Hammel PLLC is here to assist you. Many criminal defense attorneys are often more than willing to enter into unfavorable plea agreements for their clients so that they can move onto their next case. When an attorney is reluctant to take a case to trial, a prosecutor usually has little incentive to meaningfully negotiate or make a reasonable offer to resolve a case that is favorable to the defendant. We are former prosecutors and seasoned trial attorneys. Although plea agreements should always be on the table as an option, the attorneys at Wells Hammel PLLC are more than willing to take a case to trial if necessary to get you the results you deserve.
Our criminal practice includes the defense of DWI and other alcohol related offenses, drug crimes, assault and battery, weapons charges, theft, juvenile crimes, domestic violence cases, protective orders, and many other legal issues. From arraignment and pretrial motions to trial, we will fight for you at every stage of your case. We represent individuals (including juveniles) facing criminal charges including:
Drug Cases: Drug charges include simple possession of illegal drugs to manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs. It is important to initially determine whether a person's constitutional rights of search and seizure have been violated in preparing a defense to drug charges.
Family Violence: Simply defined, Family Violence is any act done by a member or family member of a household intended to physically harm another member. If a person is convicted of family violence, he or she may lose important rights, including the ability to own a firearm.
Assault: Assault charges are classified by the amount of bodily injury inflicted and/or whether a weapon was used during the alleged assault. An assault may occur by the threat of bodily injury alone, even if no physical contact is made.
Theft: Theft charges vary according to the dollar amount of alleged theft and include shoplifting, writing bad checks, among others.
If you have been charged with a crime, it is important that you call our offices and meet with an attorney to discuss your case. Give us a call today to review your options. If you have an issue that is not listed above, please contact us to determine if we may be of assistance to you.
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is provided for general purposes, not to provide specific legal advice. You should contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation. Contacting us or using this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Whether the facts of your case call for either negotiating a plea agreement or taking it to trial, Wells Hammel PLLC is here to assist you. Many criminal defense attorneys are often more than willing to enter into unfavorable plea agreements for their clients so that they can move onto their next case. When an attorney is reluctant to take a case to trial, a prosecutor usually has little incentive to meaningfully negotiate or make a reasonable offer to resolve a case that is favorable to the defendant. We are former prosecutors and seasoned trial attorneys. Although plea agreements should always be on the table as an option, the attorneys at Wells Hammel PLLC are more than willing to take a case to trial if necessary to get you the results you deserve.
Our criminal practice includes the defense of DWI and other alcohol related offenses, drug crimes, assault and battery, weapons charges, theft, juvenile crimes, domestic violence cases, protective orders, and many other legal issues. From arraignment and pretrial motions to trial, we will fight for you at every stage of your case. We represent individuals (including juveniles) facing criminal charges including:
Drug Cases: Drug charges include simple possession of illegal drugs to manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs. It is important to initially determine whether a person's constitutional rights of search and seizure have been violated in preparing a defense to drug charges.
Family Violence: Simply defined, Family Violence is any act done by a member or family member of a household intended to physically harm another member. If a person is convicted of family violence, he or she may lose important rights, including the ability to own a firearm.
Assault: Assault charges are classified by the amount of bodily injury inflicted and/or whether a weapon was used during the alleged assault. An assault may occur by the threat of bodily injury alone, even if no physical contact is made.
Theft: Theft charges vary according to the dollar amount of alleged theft and include shoplifting, writing bad checks, among others.
If you have been charged with a crime, it is important that you call our offices and meet with an attorney to discuss your case. Give us a call today to review your options. If you have an issue that is not listed above, please contact us to determine if we may be of assistance to you.
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is provided for general purposes, not to provide specific legal advice. You should contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation. Contacting us or using this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.