Repeat Offenses

Have You Had a Previous DWI?

Aggressive Defense for Drunk Driving Repeat Offenders

Texas law takes a dim view of those who are arrested more than once for driving while intoxicated. While the penalties for a first-time offender are not lenient, they become much harsher for the repeat offender.

Because of the major criminal and civil consequences, you may have no choice but to fight the charges. The DWI, Texas law lawyers of Christopher N. Hoover, P.C. have an extensive record of success in getting charges dismissed to avoid a trial or securing acquittals at trial. Criminal defense attorney Chris Hoover is a veteran of over 400 jury trials in Dallas County, and Collin County.

High Stakes: Penalties for Conviction

Recent changes in the law allow Texas courts to reach far into your past to enhance the penalties for a current charge of DWI. If you had any DWI conviction in the past, you will be charged with a DWI, Second Offense - a Class A misdemeanor.

If this is your third DWI, you will face a charge of DWI, Third Offense - a third degree felony. Under a new lifetime "lookback" provision, the state can also consider all prior DWI/DUI convictions if even one of them occurred within the last 10 years. (In other words, that DWI as a teen or young adult could come into play, even if it was 20 or 30 years ago!)

• Incarceration
  A second DWI carries a minimum of 5 days in jail, up to one year.
  A third (or fourth) DWI carries a prison term of 2 to 10 years
• Fines and Surcharges
  A second offense will cost $4,500 minimum to more than $8,000
  A third offense will cost $4,500 to more than to $14,000
• License Suspension
  Repeat offenders will lose their license for a minimum of 180 days up to two years on conviction. Refusal of chemical testing on a second or third DWI could be as much as a two-year suspension. In addition, individuals who have more than one DWI in 5 years cannot get an occupations drivers license, there is a 1 year waiting period to legally drive.

NOTE: Texas law now mandates that all repeat offenders - as a condition of release from jail - must have a deep lung air device (ignition interlock) installed on their vehicle during their probation term. This mechanism requires a clean breath sample to start the car, and at periodic intervals while traveling visible embarrassing.

Fighting a Repeat DWI and Softening the Blow

Texas varies county by county on allowing DWI defendants to plead guilty to a lesser offense such as reckless driving. If this option is not available in the jurisdiction where you are charged, you must be proactive and your attorney must be aggressive.

At Christopher N. Hoover, P.C., our skilled lawyers handle only DWI cases, and we explore all viable strategies to (a) get charges dismissed, (b) to get physical evidence or police observations excluded, or (c) create reasonable doubt for a jury, (d) best possible punishment.

We also address whether our clients have an alcohol problem. Without making any moral judgments, we try to steer those people to treatment. This can greatly help your legal case as well by demonstrating to the judge that you have acknowledged a possible problem and sought help while your DWI is pending.

Nothing can be gained by simply pleading guilty. Contact a firm with proven results in beating serious DWI charges or lessening the prison, jail, probation, revocation, and other penalties.

We offer a free initial consultation at 1-888-252-4DWI. We accept credit cards and we can discuss payment terms to enable you to pay for your defense.