Driving While Intoxicated FACTS (DWI) in Texas

Dallas DWI/DUI Lawyer | Chad A. West, PLLC

Learn about Field Sobriety Tests and their flaws

DWI FACT:

Approximately 1.4 million drivers were arrested in 2003 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 135 licensed drivers in the United States.

DWI FACT:

If you are trying to get a friend or loved one out the Dallas County Jail in Dallas, Texas please call (214) 509-7555 immediately for assistance. We answer our phones 24 hours a day. Our bondsman will go to the Dallas County Jail and process the necessary paperwork to get your friend or loved one out of jail. Our fees are affordable and you will find my office very helpful through this difficult time.

DWI FACT:

You have fifteen (15) days after a police officer, in Texas, arrests you for Driving While Intoxicated in which to request an Administrative License Revocation Hearing (ALR) from the Texas Department of Public Safety in order to try to save your driving privileges. If you do not request a hearing within the fifteen (15) day time period your driver’s license will be suspended on the fortieth (40th) day following your arrest.

DWI FACT:

You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. You should never answer the officer’s questions regarding your impairment or the amount you had to drink.

DWI FACT:

In Texas, field sobriety testing is voluntary. You do not have to take any field sobriety tests whether roadside or at the police station.

DWI FACT:

The Intoxilyzer machine is a large machine and is housed at the police station. If the officer pulls out a handheld device, commonly referred to as a “Portable Breath Test” device or “PBT”, you are not required to blow in the device nor will your driver’s license be suspended for refusing to blow into the device. In fact, in Texas, the actual results of this test are not admissible in Court at your trial.

DWI FACT:

In Texas the sampling of blood, breath and urine are the three ways law enforcement officers measure the alcohol content in an individual’s body. In most situations you do not have to submit to any of these tests, unless you are under a direct court order.

DWI FACT:

If you are interviewing an attorney about your DWI case and the attorney does not mention or discuss representing you at the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing as part of his or her representation of you in the DWI case then you are not talking with an experienced DWI lawyer.

DWI FACT:

If you plead guilty you will be giving up many important rights. Do not do it unless directly advised to do so by a lawyer representing you and your best interests.

If you are facing any DUI/DWI charge in Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding communities, please call or email now to speak to Dallas DWI lawyer Chad West. 214-509-7555, chad@chadwestlaw.com