When you are stopped and arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Texas, it is essential to remember that you have rights under state and federal law.
You cannot be stopped without reasonable suspicion, and you cannot be required to submit to a chemical test or a search of your vehicle unless a law enforcement has probable cause.
Furthermore, you have a right to seek help from a lawyer, and to avoid incriminating yourself in ways that could harm your DWI or drunk driving defense. Yet many Texans do not realize that they have certain rights, or the disorientation and anxiety of an arrest leads to mistakes that can ultimately affect a person’s ability to successfully defend against DWI charges.
The following are common mistakes that you should avoid after a DWI or drunk driving arrest in Houston.
Mistake #1: Providing Too Much Information
When you are stopped on suspicion of a DWI in Texas, providing too much information to the police who stop you can be a big mistake and can hurt your defense later on.
While you will need to provide your driver’s license and your registration, you should provide additional information about how many drinks you had, what types of medications you are taking, or whether you believe you may be intoxicated. Such information can be used against you when you take steps to defend against the charges you are facing.
Mistake #2: Refusing a Breathalyzer
After you have been arrested for a DWI, you have already given implied consent under Texas law to a chemical test merely by driving on public roads in Texas. Accordingly, if you refuse a breathalyzer test, you will face serious consequences.
Regardless of the results the breathalyzer test would have shown, you will face a driver’s license suspension of at least 180 days, and you could face a license suspension for two years if you have a prior DWI on your record or a prior breathalyzer refusal.
Mistake #3: Assuming You Will Be Convicted
Do not assume you will be convicted and avoid taking any steps to prepare for your defense. An arrest is not a conviction, and it may be possible to beat the charges you are facing.
Mistake #4: Failing to Consider Defenses
Do not make the mistake of failing to consider the best defense strategies based on the facts surrounding your arrest.
Mistake #5: Forgetting to Hire a Lawyer As Soon As Possible
Finally, you should not make the mistake of forgetting to hire an experienced Texas DWI defense attorney as soon as possible. With help from a defense lawyer, you can begin tailoring a defense strategy to the facts of your case and working to avoid a DWI conviction.
Contact a Houston DWI Defense Attorney
It is important to do everything you can to avoid making mistakes after a DWI arrest that could harm your defense. Do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the experienced Texas DWI defense lawyers at our firm.
We can begin working on your case today.
Contact Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson to learn more about the services we provide to clients facing DWI and drunk driving charges in Texas.
