DWI cases usually start with a routine traffic stop. But when a police officer suspects there may be more than just a normal traffic violation, the officer may detain the driver to conduct further investigation. From a legal standpoint, such detentions are permissible so long as they further a “legitimate law enforcement purpose.” That is […]
In most cases, a first-time DWI is a misdemeanor under Texas law. But if there was a child–i.e., a person under the age of 15–in your vehicle at the time of your arrest, prosecutors can charge you with felony DWI. Specifically, a state jail felony, which can lead to a jail term of up to […]
Not all drunk driving cases are treated the same under Texas law. For instance, if you are charged with a first-offense DWI, that is by default a Class B misdemeanor. However, if the evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that your blood-alcohol concentration was 0.15 percent or more, you can be charged, tried, and convicted […]
In some cases, you may be able to get a drunk driving arrest removed or “expunged” from your record. Expunction is an option if you are acquitted of the DWI charge. But an acquittal does not guarantee expunction. The court will refuse to clear your record if the DWI arrest was part of a “criminal […]
It may surprise you to learn that the offense of driving while intoxicated does not necessarily require proof that you were either (a) driving or (b) intoxicated. To elaborate more on this, Texas law states a person commits misdemeanor DWI if they are “intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.” This does […]
In Texas, a drunk driving conviction often leads to the suspension of the defendant’s Texas Driver License. The terms and conditions of this suspension will vary based on the circumstances of a particular case. And while the suspension is mandatory in many cases, there are scenarios where a first-time offender can avoid a suspension if […]
A first-time DWI offense in Texas is normally a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. Keep in mind, the legal standard for DWI is that a person is found “operating” a motor vehicle while under the influence. And while you might think “operating” means “actually […]
A first-time arrest for DWI is normally a simple misdemeanor in Texas. This means that if tried and convicted, the defendant faces a penalty no harsher than 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a one-year suspension of their driver’s license. But even a misdemeanor DWI arrest can lead to substantially more serious consequences […]
Although Houston has a booming economy and a bright economic future, individuals with criminal records may experience a limited realization of their career goals due to the hindrances caused by the appearance an arrest or conviction for a criminal offense on their background. In the business world, individuals who are convicted of the most minor […]
Don’t let a DWI hurt your economic future! Call DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson at 713-489-7373 Any time a person is convicted of a criminal offense, and there’s the appearance of a criminal conviction present during background checks, it hurts their career options. DWI convictions are no different, but include a different set of potential […]