DWI Mistakes to Avoid
Call Houston DWI Lawyer Clyde W. Burleson at ☎ 713-628-1503 For a Free Consultation
1. Assuming you will lose your DWI case.
The most common DWI mistake is that many believe they cannot beat a DWI charge. However, the case against you may not be as solid as you think. For instance, did you know that many factors can affect the accuracy of both breath and blood tests? Similarly, scientific testing has shown that a false positive can result from:
- Work conditions, such as volatile-chemical exposure.
- Extensive dental work.
- Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder (G.E.R.D.).
- Airbag deployment.
- Fever.
Breath & blood tests must adhere to strict guidelines. Failure to comply with those guidelines makes the results of a field sobriety test questionable and can result in evidence being thrown out. Lab analysts are people and people make mistakes. Above all, It takes an experienced DWI attorney to spot these issues and use them for your benefit.
2. Not taking your DWI seriously is a huge DWI mistake.
DWI is serious and the penalties should not be taken lightly. You will face prosecution. You will face license suspension even if you request an ALR hearing. Further, you face probation, jail, fines, increases in your insurance rates, loss of job and other collateral consequences.
3. Not hiring a DWI attorney.
DWI is not a simple criminal case and the DWI legal process is not easy to navigate. You are facing potential jail time and thousands of dollars in fines, court costs and surcharges. Without a knowledgeable, experienced DWI attorney on your side, your ultimate fate is predictable. You will lose! An expert DWI lawyer can offer you the most choices for the best disposition of your case by creating a DWI defense that looks at your situation, potential DWI mistakes made by police, and more.
4. Not fighting license suspension.
Without your driver’s license, it can be difficult to drive back and forth from work, school, the grocery store, the doctor’s office, and any other place to your home. Under Texas law, you have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing to save your driver’s license. Failure to ask for this hearing will result in the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. Not only does an administrative license suspension hearing enable you to protect your driving privileges, but also help you and your attorney discover the evidence law enforcement has against you. Additionally, driving on a suspended license can result in additional penalties on top of ones you face for DWI.
5. Driving with a suspended license.
Driving during any suspension is a crime. As a result, you will face additional prosecution.
6. Negotiating a quick plea bargain with the prosecutor is THE rookie DWI mistake.
Accepting a plea is an admission of guilt and a waiver of your constitutional rights. It could lead to jail time and suspension of your license. You could lose your job, get behind on bills, and face thousands of dollars in state fees just so that you can drive again. It could lead to probation, so you will have to attend DWI education classes, perform community service, report monthly to a probation officer, pay thousands of dollars in fines and court costs and state fees. Probation is a serious disruption of your life. In addition, a probation violation will result
7. Choosing an attorney based on cost.
Texas has unlimited resources to prosecute you. While DWI lawyer costs vary, the DWI costs can be extreme. DWI charges require a proven Houston DWI lawyer. Do not leave anything to chance or in the hands of an overworked public defender. DWI is a serious crime and a conviction comes with harsh penalties. A DWI defense must include elements that only an experienced DWI lawyer will know. If you choose the best price, you will probably receive the worst results.
8. Failing to appear in court.
Harris County judges take their jobs seriously, so they expect you to live up to every term and condition of your bail bond. If you fail to appear in Court on time, your bond can be forfeited, meaning you will lose the entire amount of the bond and will be jailed until a new bond is posted or until the time of your plea or trial.
9. Talking to anyone but a DWI lawyer about your case.
You friends, family or even social media are not the places to seek out information. This is a common and unfortunate DWI mistake. Additionally, anything you say to them can be used against you in a court of law.
10. Not calling Clyde Burleson is the #1 DWI Mistake
Call Clyde today at 713-628-1503 to get help in requesting an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing. He’ll assist you in taking the required actions at no charge or obligation to you and help you avoid these common DWI mistakes.
