Fort Worth, TX Felony DWI Defense Lawyer

Skilled Lawyer for Felony Charges of Driving While Intoxicated in Fort Worth

When a charge of driving while intoxicated rises to the level of a felony, there might be much more at stake in the legal proceedings. If you are convicted of a felony DWI charge, you could be sentenced to years in prison and fined thousands of dollars, along with the revocation of your license. A Fort Worth DWI defense lawyer can represent you in court, arguing to have the felony charge reduced to a lesser offense or even dropped altogether.

Having a skilled defense attorney at your side can make a major difference in your case. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can go over your options to contest a DWI charge, and we will fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.

When Is DWI Charged as a Felony?

A standard DWI charge in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor. However, it may rise to a Class A misdemeanor, a more severe charge, if the driver is caught with an open container of alcohol in the car.

Under certain circumstances, DWI can escalate to a felony charge. These circumstances are known as aggravating factors, and they affect how the crime will be prosecuted and the penalties you may face.

For instance, you can be charged with a state jail felony if you are arrested for drunk driving with a child under 15 in the car. A state jail felony carries a prison sentence of 180 days to two years, along with a possible $10,000 fine. Having multiple DWI convictions on your record may also lead to felony charges, even if there were no other aggravating circumstances.

Intoxication assault is a much more serious DWI-related crime. If you are accused of causing serious bodily harm to another person while drunk driving, you could be charged with a third-degree felony. If you are accused of accidentally killing another person in an act of drunk driving, you could be charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

What to Do in a DWI Traffic Stop

If you have been pulled over for driving while intoxicated, you should try to keep a cool head. If you panic, you risk making costly mistakes that could be used against you in court.

When an officer pulls you over, you may be asked to provide your license, proof of insurance, and registration. You are required by law to supply this information. Additionally, you must comply with any request to step out of the car. However, you are not obligated to answer questions that could implicate you, such as the standard "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

Additionally, you are under no obligation to perform a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test during a traffic stop. This may result in your arrest, but it will also give the prosecution less evidence to work with.

DWI Defense

Defending against a DWI charge, especially felony DWI, requires a thorough examination of the facts behind the case. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we could argue that you were pulled over without reasonable suspicion that you were drunk driving or that the blood testing equipment was improperly calibrated.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, Attorney Edwardo Meza will look out for your best interests, whether it means negotiating for a favorable plea bargain or getting your case dismissed from court.

Meet With a Fort Worth, TX Felony DWI Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a felony drunk driving offense, our Tarrant County DWI defense attorney can help. At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can explore all of your possible options to fight a DWI charge, minimizing the disruption to your life. Call us at 817-732-6392 or contact us online to get started with a free consultation.