Highland Park and University Park DWI Arrest Defense

Two small cities sit entirely inside Dallas, and each one runs its own police force. Highland Park is patrolled by the Highland Park Department of Public Safety, and University Park, home to SMU, Snider Plaza and the stretch of Hillcrest Avenue along campus, has the University Park Police Department. Officers in both places know their streets block by block, and residents often say patrol cars seem to be everywhere on Mockingbird Lane and Preston Road. Dallas DWI Lawyers represents people arrested for DWI in the Park Cities, and our attorneys understand that a case here comes with its own worries about reputation, career and family. Even though the arrest is https://pixabay.com/users/58616363/ made by a local department, a DWI in the Park Cities is still a Texas Penal Code 49.04 charge filed in Dallas County. Misdemeanor cases are heard in the County Criminal Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, and felony cases go to the District Courts in the same building. The local agency's paperwork, video and testing records become the evidence in that case, so we request them early. We look at whether the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop the car, whether the arrest was based on probable cause, and whether the field sobriety tests and breath or blood testing followed accepted procedure.

Dallas DWI Lawyers | 325 North St Paul Street, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201 | (945) 403-4331

University Park also has a large student population, and that brings underage cases. Texas uses a zero tolerance rule for drivers under 21, so any detectable amount of alcohol can lead to a DUI by a minor charge, and a DWI charge can be filed as well if the officer believes the driver was intoxicated. For adult first offenses, the outcome many Park Cities clients care about most is what shows up on a background check. Since 2019, deferred adjudication can be available for some first DWI cases, though not when the test result is 0.15 or higher or the driver holds a commercial license. Nondisclosure may be possible for some first-offense cases, while expunction is generally limited to dismissals, acquittals and no-bills. Gary L. Medlin, our founder and managing attorney, has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1989 and is a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. He and the rest of the team prepare every file as though it is headed for trial. Getting to our office from the Park Cities is simple. The DART Red and Blue lines run from Mockingbird Station straight to the St. Paul station near our building, or you can take Central Expressway south for a few miles. A DWI defense attorney can also help with the separate ALR license case, which must be requested within 15 days. Call or text (945) 403-4331 24/7 for a free case evaluation at our St Paul Street office downtown.

Dallas DWI Lawyers Address: 325 North St Paul Street, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (945) 403-4331 FAQ About DWI Defense Attorney in Dallas How much is a DWI lawyer in Texas? Fees depend on whether the case is a first offense misdemeanor or a felony, whether there is an ALR hearing to fight, and whether the case goes to trial. Dallas DWI Lawyers starts with a free case evaluation so you can hear what your specific case involves before you commit to anything. Call or text (945) 403-4331 to set one up. What happens after a DWI arrest in Dallas? Most people arrested in Dallas are booked at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center and released on bond, often with conditions such as an ignition interlock. Misdemeanor DWI cases then move through the County Criminal Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, while a separate license suspension case starts with DPS. The team at Dallas DWI Lawyers deals with both tracks from the first call. How long do I have to request an ALR hearing in Texas? The request must be made within 15 days of receiving notice of the license suspension, which is usually the day of the arrest. Missing that window means the suspension can take effect without a hearing. Dallas DWI Lawyers files ALR requests and represents drivers at the hearing, so call (945) 403-4331 as early as you can. Is a first DWI a felony in Texas? A standard first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours and up to 180 days in jail, and a fine of up to $2,000. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if a test shows 0.15 or more, and it can be a state jail felony if a passenger under 15 was in the car. Our downtown Dallas office on St Paul Street handles every level of these charges. Can a DWI be dismissed in Texas? Dismissals do happen, usually when the stop lacked reasonable suspicion, the arrest lacked probable cause, or the breath or blood evidence has problems. No lawyer can promise a dismissal, but Dallas DWI Lawyers prepares each case as if it is going to trial and reviews the video, reports and lab records for weak points. Should I refuse a breath test in Texas? Texas is an implied consent state, so a refusal can bring a license suspension of at least 180 days and can be mentioned at trial. Officers can also get a blood warrant, especially during Dallas County no refusal weekends. Every situation is different, so talk to a DWI defense attorney about how a refusal affects your own case. Can I still drive after a DWI arrest in Dallas? Usually yes, at least for a short time, because the suspension does not start right away and a timely ALR request can hold it off until the hearing. If a suspension does take effect, an occupational license may let you drive to work, school and essential errands. Dallas DWI Lawyers helps with both, starting with a call to (945) 403-4331. How long does a DWI stay on your record in Texas? A DWI conviction stays on your Texas criminal record permanently unless the law gives you a way to seal or clear it. Some first-offense cases may qualify for nondisclosure, and expunction is generally limited to dismissals, acquittals and no-bills. The firm can review your eligibility during a free case evaluation. What makes a DWI a felony in Texas? A DWI becomes a felony with two prior intoxication convictions, a passenger under 15, a serious injury (intoxication assault) or a death (intoxication manslaughter). These carry prison ranges from 180 days in a state jail up to 20 years. Managing Attorney Gary L. Medlin has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1989. Do I need a lawyer for a first DWI in Texas? You are not required to have one, but a first DWI can still mean jail time, fines, a license suspension and a permanent record. A lawyer can challenge the stop and the testing, and may be able to pursue options such as deferred adjudication where the law allows it. Dallas DWI Lawyers answers calls and texts 24/7 at (945) 403-4331. Can a DWI be reduced to a lesser charge in Texas? In some cases, problems with the evidence lead prosecutors to offer a reduced charge such as obstructing a highway or reckless driving. Whether that is possible depends on the facts, the test results and your history. Attorneys at Dallas DWI Lawyers include former prosecutors who understand how those decisions get made in Dallas County. What is the difference between a DWI and a DUI in Texas? In Texas, DWI is the charge for adults who are intoxicated while driving, while DUI is a Class C charge for drivers under 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol. A young driver can face either charge depending on the evidence. Dallas DWI Lawyers defends underage drivers from SMU, University Park and across Dallas.