If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated in Grapevine, you should contact our team of defense attorneys as soon as possible. We are highly skilled at defending DWI offenses in Grapevine. We have helped hundreds of people in similar situations and we can help you, too.
How Do Courts Treat First-Time DWI Charges?
Grapevine DWI charges are handled by Tarrant County prosecutors who take driving while intoxicated and first-time DWI charges very seriously. It’s important not to exacerbate your situation while waiting for your DWI to get resolved. The worst thing that could happen if you are charged with a DWI is to pick up another DWI, or worse, an intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter case.
While you are on bond, the judge is going to order you to refrain from drinking alcohol. If your blood alcohol concentration is .15 or greater, the judge will almost certainly order you to have an interlock on your vehicle. You may also be asked to give random urine specimens to show you have not been drinking.
If you violate any of your bond conditions, you bond could be held insufficient and a warrant could be issued for your arrest, resulting in time behind bars.
It is extremely important while you are free on bond for a first-time DWI to follow the judge’s orders entirely. Follow your bond conditions to the letter. Don’t give anyone any reason to cast you in a bad light.
To help you put your best foot forward, our team of experienced DWI lawyers are likely going to ask you to take classes and perform community service while your case is pending in an effort to show the prosecutors and judge that you are responsible and taking this charge seriously.
What are the Penalties for a First Offense?
A first-time regular DWI in Grapevine is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by three to 180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. If the blood alcohol concentration is at 0.15 or greater, it changes it from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Either a Class A or Class B misdemeanor could also get up to two years of probation.
If you were charged with a first-time DWI and had a child passenger in the car, you are facing a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a fine up to $10,000.
Impact on Driver’s License
What happens to your driver’s license after a first-time Grapevine DWI arrest depends on whether or not you provided a breath or blood specimen at the officer’s request. If you declined, then your license is going to be suspended for a period of 180 days. If the person provides a sample and it is determined that their blood alcohol concentration was at 0.08 or greater, their license is going to be suspended for a period of 90 days.
It’s also important to understand that, if you are convicted the judge could also order your license suspended for up to two years.
Contesting a License Suspension
If your license has been suspended, our lawyers can contest the license suspension through the administrative license revocation hearings, sometimes called ALR hearings. We will also help you obtain an occupational license so that you are able legally drive after you license has been suspended.
Most judges who grant occupational licenses are going to require that you have an interlock device installed on your vehicle which requires you to blow into it before and while driving the car to make sure that there is no alcohol on your breath. You may also be required to have an SR-22 policy, which is not an insurance policy, but a certificate that tells the court you have insurance. It is something you will have to pay for on top of their insurance. Additionally, you would have to keep a logbook of where you are going and where you are coming from while operating your car. As long as you are willing to live by those conditions, you would likely be able to get an occupational license after being charged with a DWI.
Discuss First-Time DWI Charges in Grapevine with Our Team
Being charged with a DWI is very frightening, but it’s important to realize you are not alone. Our team will do everything in our power to obtain the most favorable outcome possible. Not only will we point out weaknesses in the case, but we will present all the positive things you have done since your arrest to put you in the best position. If you are facing a first-time DWI offense in Grapevine, call the office of Varghese Summersett for your best chance at success. Collectively, our lawyers have over 100 years of experience that we are prepared to help you.
