McKinney, TX DWI Defense Lawyers

Attorneys for Charges of Driving While Intoxicated in McKinney, Texas

Due to concerns about safety on the road, law enforcement officials take drunk driving very seriously. Police officers in McKinney and the surrounding areas will be watching for signs that drivers are intoxicated, and they may stop anyone who is driving erratically or exhibiting signs of impairment. Based on their observations during a traffic stop, they may choose to arrest a driver and charge them with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Being charged with DWI in Texas can lead to many legal and personal consequences. A conviction may result in a driver's license suspension, steep fines, and even jail time. An arrest will show up on your record, which may affect your employment opportunities and insurance rates. To defend against DWI charges and avoid penalties that could affect your life, you will need an experienced attorney on your side. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., our McKinney DWI lawyers can provide legal guidance and representation, and we will work to minimize the ways your life will be affected.

Common Issues That Can Impact a McKinney DWI Case

There are several legal and procedural issues that may play a role in a criminal case involving DWI charges. Our attorneys can evaluate these factors to determine the best defense strategies to use. We can address issues such as:

Traffic Stops and Law Enforcement Procedures

A DWI case begins with a traffic stop. To perform a legal stop, a law enforcement officer must have reasonable suspicion that a driver has committed a traffic violation or is engaging in illegal activity. Common reasons for DWI stops include speeding, reckless driving, weaving between lanes, running red lights or stop signs, and driving at night with headlights off.

If an officer stopped you without reasonable suspicion of a violation, any evidence gathered during the stop may be challenged in court. Additionally, if you were arrested without probable cause, our lawyers may argue that the arrest was unlawful, which could lead to the case being dismissed.

Field Sobriety Tests and Their Reliability

After an officer pulls a driver over, they may ask the driver to take field sobriety tests (FSTs). These tests will require a driver to step out of their vehicle and perform certain actions, such as walking along a straight line or standing with one foot raised for 30 seconds. Depending on the officer's assessments of how well a driver could follow instructions and complete these activities, FSTs may provide probable cause to perform an arrest.

However, these tests are not always reliable indicators of intoxication. Medical conditions, poor weather conditions, uneven road surfaces, nervousness, or other issues can affect a person's ability to complete these tasks correctly. Our DWI defense lawyers may challenge the validity of these tests and argue that the results were influenced by factors other than intoxication.

Breath and Blood Tests: Accuracy and Legal Challenges

After an officer arrests a driver for DWI, they will typically request that the driver take a breath or blood test to measure their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). While chemical BAC tests are commonly used as evidence in DWI cases, they are not always accurate.

Potential issues that may affect test results include:

• Improper Calibration of a Breathalyzer: Breath test devices must be properly maintained and calibrated to provide accurate readings. If a device is faulty, the results may be unreliable.
• Residual Alcohol in the Mouth: Recent consumption of alcohol, medical conditions, or certain medications can produce falsely high BAC readings.
• Improper Blood Sample Handling: Blood samples must be collected, stored, and tested according to strict protocols. Contamination, fermentation, or improper storage can lead to inaccurate results.

Our attorneys may request access to testing records, maintenance logs, and chain-of-custody reports to determine whether the results can be challenged in court.

Potential Consequences of a DWI Conviction

In Texas, the penalties for DWI offenses may be based on factors such as a driver's BAC level, whether they have any prior convictions, and whether an accident or injury occurred. Possible consequences include:

• First-Offense DWI: Up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $2,000, and a license suspension of up to one year.
• Second-Offense DWI: Up to 12 months in jail, fines up to $4,000, and a license suspension lasting as long as two years.
• Third-Offense DWI: Up to 10 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and a license suspension of up to two years.
• Intoxication Manslaughter: A second-degree felony with a potential penalty of up to 20 years in jail and fines up to $10,000.

Contact Our McKinney DWI Attorneys

If you have been charged with DWI in McKinney, Texas, securing legal representation as soon as possible is critical. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., our DWI lawyers can help you determine the defense strategies that will help you achieve the best possible outcome to your case.

Do not face a DWI charge alone. Contact our attorneys at 214-544-0061 to schedule a free consultation and begin building your defense.