Fort Worth DWI Lawyer

Charged With a DWI in Fort Worth? Call the Top-Rated Fort Worth DWI Defense Lawyers at Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys today.

Charged with a DWI in Fort Worth, Texas / Tarrant County? Call a Top-Rated DWI Defense Lawyer Today


Are you or someone you know facing a driving while intoxicated charge (DWI) in Fort Worth or a nearby city? If so, you need an experienced Fort Worth DWI Lawyer to fight on your behalf.

The Fort Worth DWI defense attorneys at Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys have tried dozens of DWI jury trials, and we have successfully handled numerous bench trials before several judges. We have also handled hundreds of plea bargains and convinced courts and prosecutors to drop charges in many others.

When you face an intoxicated driving charge in Fort Worth, hire a Fort Worth DWI Lawyer with trial experience and successful outcomes. Hire Fulgham Law.

We Take Texas DWI Charges Seriously

Under Texas law, a person commits a driving while intoxicated offense if they operate a motor vehicle in a public place while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Our lawyers understand the devastating results a DWI conviction can cause.

In addition to DWI defense cases, our law firm handles other alcohol-related offenses, including:

  • Driving While Intoxicated second offense
  • Driving While Intoxicated third or more (felony DWI)
  • Intoxication Assault
  • Public Intoxication
  • Minor in possession of alcohol

5 Ways To Beat A DWI Case : A Former Prosecutor Explains! (2021)

Texas DWI Statistics At a Glance

gavel and car key on tableTexas drunk driving laws are the 13th strictest in the nation. Individuals facing DWI charges are facing Texas-tough penalties. Additionally, this state punishes subsequent DWI offenses more severely.

Penalties for a First DWI Offense Are Already Steep

If you face a first DWI charge in Texas, the law allows the following penalties:

    • A maximum fine of $2,000.
  • A maximum of one year in jail
  • Suspension of your driver’s license for up to one year
  • An annual fee of $1,000 or $2,000 over a three-year period to retain your driver’s license.

A Second DWI Offense Doubles the Fine and License Suspension Time

If you already have a DWI conviction on your criminal record, you are subject to these possible penalties:

  • A fine up to a maximum of $4,000.
  • One month to a maximum of one year in jail
  • Suspension of your driver’s license for up to two years
  • An annual fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 over a three-year period to retain your driver’s license.

Those Convicted of a Third DWI Pay Five Times the Fine of a First-time Offender

Accused drivers who already have two DWI convictions on their record will face:

  • A $10,000 fine
  • A maximum of ten years in prison
  • Suspension of their driver’s license for up to two years
  • An annual fee of $1,000, or $2,000 over a three-year period to retain their driver’s license.

Furthermore, two or more DWI convictions within a five-year period require the installation of a special ignition switch that prevents the vehicle from being operated if it detects alcohol consumption.

Chemical tests of blood alcohol concentration: Did you submit to a blood or breath test following a Fort Worth DWI arrest?

If a police officer in Fort Worth or the surrounding areas arrests you on suspicion of DWI, the officer will usually ask you to submit to a chemical test of blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

While either BAC chemical test may be used, the officer may exercise discretion regarding which type of DWI test to administer. Breath tests are the most common option because portable breath testing devices can be used at the scene of the traffic stop, and a more sophisticated device is usually located at the jail.

When the officer elects to administer a blood test, you usually will be transported to a local hospital to have a blood specimen extracted by qualified medical professionals. When the blood test is performed by qualified technicians in compliance with the applicable procedures and protocols, blood tests are the more accurate measure of BAC level.

Can I refuse to consent to chemical testing of my blood or breath if police arrest me for DWI?

Texas law generally prohibits an officer from forcibly extracting a sample if a motorist refuses to provide a sample. However, the driver will face consequences under the Texas implied consent law if they refuse a BAC test. A few exceptions apply to this rule.

Texas’s implied consent law essentially states that any driver who applies for a driver’s license consents to a BAC chemical test of blood or breath when arrested for DWI. Refusal to comply with the implied consent law could result in an administrative suspension of your driver’s license for 180 days. Also, even if you do not consent to chemical testing of your blood or breath, you may still face prosecution for a DWI.

What if the officer wants to take my blood despite my refusal to give consent?

Even if you refuse to voluntarily provide a blood sample for chemical testing of your BAC level, the officer may seek a warrant to extract blood for such testing. A magistrate may grant the warrant if the officer has probable cause to suspect you drive while intoxicated.

Because extracting a sample of your blood without your consent constitutes a search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment, the officer must comply with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in obtaining the warrant based on an affidavit that provides sufficient evidence to constitute probable cause to believe you drove while intoxicated.

DWI Field Sobriety Tests? Should You Ever Take Them? A Former Prosecutor Explains! (2021)

Will the court throw out blood test results obtained without my consent or a warrant?

The general rule is that an officer must have a warrant based on probable cause and signed by a magistrate to forcibly extract your blood for a BAC chemical test.

However, Texas law provides a number of exceptions to this general rule, for example, when drivers:

  • Have at least two prior convictions for DWI
  • Were in an accident where someone was seriously injured or died
  • Have a prior conviction for DWI, and they were transporting a child under 15

Those arrested for DWI who are forced to provide a blood specimen for testing should speak to an experienced Fort Worth DWI attorney. If you have any questions regarding chemical testing of blood or DWI, we invite you to call the Fort Worth DWI lawyers at Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys at (817) 877-3030 to discuss your case.

How much could a Texas DWI charge cost you?

DWI charges do not cost the same for everyone—but in Texas, they are always expensive. Let’s break down the potential costs and explain what the law says.

A while back, a TxDOT billboard near Austin proclaimed that a DWI in Texas costs $17,000.

The link on the billboard told the story of a woman who was arrested for DWI, lost her driver’s license, spent half a day in jail, and was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and two years of probation. She also had to take alcohol education classes as part of her sentencing.

In this story, the woman also pays attorney fees, court costs, vehicle towing services, and bail bonds.

An independent research team looked into it and discovered that the woman’s story is fiction.

Although the research determined that the story was made up, it also revealed that the $17,000 figure was based on a 2006 study commissioned by TxDOT. The study included 30 interviews of DWI offenders, county clerks, defense attorneys, and prosecutors in 15 different Texas counties.

The report from these interviews showed that first-time DWI offenders can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $24,000 in total costs and that the average cost is somewhere around $13,000. The figure does not include loss of income, the cost of alternate transportation while your license is revoked, higher insurance rates, and counseling fees.

DWI With Child Passenger: A Former Prosecutor Breaks Down The Defense! (2022)

What is the actual cost of a DWI in Texas?

Unfortunately, you cannot know exactly what you will pay for your DWI until your case is resolved. However, we can gather some basic numbers from official sources.

The Cost of a First Conviction for DWI in Texas

A first conviction for DWI will cause you to lose your license for up to one year. You may need to spend between three and 180 days in jail and pay a fine of $2,000. To retain your driver’s license, you must pay an annual fee of $1,000 to $2,000 for three years.

Basic Cost: $5,000 to $8,000

The Cost of a Second DWI Conviction in Texas

A second conviction for DWI will cause you to lose your license for up to two years. You may need to spend between one month and one year in jail and pay a fine of $4,000. To retain your driver’s license, you must pay an annual fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 for three years.

Basic Cost: $7,000 to $10,000

The Cost of a Third DWI Conviction in Texas

A third conviction for DWI will cause you to lose your license for up to two years. You may need to spend between two to 10 years in prison and pay a fine of up to $10,000. To retain your driver’s license, you must pay an annual fee between $1,000 and $2,000 for three years. 

If you have two or more DWI convictions within a five-year period, you must install an ignition interlock device that allows you to drive only if your BAC does not reach a set limit.

Basic Cost: $13,000 to $16,000

Why You Should Seek Legal Counsel for a Texas DWI Charge

These big numbers probably make you feel a little anxious. You may be surprised to learn that hiring a skilled DWI attorney can actually reduce your out-of-pocket costs. In fact, the amount you pay for legal representation will likely be less than the amount you’ll pay if you try to resolve your case on your own. Especially if you wind up with a conviction.

Remember that a DWI charge is different from a conviction. When you speak with an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense attorney, they will review your case and lay out your options, including whether they can help you avoid a costly conviction.

A skilled DWI lawyer can also help you build the strongest possible defense, enabling you to minimize costs while providing you with the best chance to reduce, drop, or dismiss your charges.

[/expander_maker]

WHEN IS DWI A FELONY? A Former Prosecutor Breaks Down The Law! (2021)

Contacting the Experienced and Tenacious Fort Worth DWI Lawyers at Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys Is the Only Call You Need to Make

A driving while intoxicated conviction in Fort Worth can affect the rest of your life. You need an aggressive and knowledgeable Fort Worth criminal lawyer to fight for your rights. Whether authorities charged you with your first or subsequent DWI, a conviction could bring jail time, fines, and other devastating consequences.

At Fulgham Law Firm P.C., our Fort Worth DWI law practice is focused on passionately defending the accused. Contact our Fort Worth office now at (817) 877-3030 for a confidential consultation with our experienced Fort Worth DWI attorneys.

When You Need a Fort Worth DWI Attorney That Gets Results, Turn to Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys

Attorney Brandon Fulgham

Fort Worth DWI Attorney, Brandon Fulgham

If you are currently facing DWI charges, you already have a criminal record. This doesn’t mean you should just give up and accept a conviction and whatever consequences the prosecutor demands.

Call us right now to get help

(817) 877-3030

We’ve helped hundreds of people in Texas, and we can help you, too. Contact our legal team to discuss your pending DWI case. We can explain your options and help you make the best decisions possible. Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys serves the Fort Worth and Tarrant County areas.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Worth Criminal Lawyer

Former Prosecutors

Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys legal team approach provides you 4 Former Prosecutors with expertise in matters ranging from Theft to Murder. We know how prosecutors think and what they will do on your case.

Years Experience

Our legal team of criminal lawyers has over 70+ years of criminal law experience and over 300+ jury trials in Texas. Our criminal lawyers have a proactive approach that provides a track record of dismissals, no-bills and not guilty verdicts.

Fort Worth Criminal Defense

Customized Defense

Our team of criminal lawyers will analyze your case and give you a clear plan of defense to protect your future. We work with our clients to analyze the evidence and determine the most effect plan of action to help put your criminal case behind you.

Contact Fulgham Law Firm

Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys

Phone: 817-877-3030
Fax: 817-877-3032
HQ Address: 4354 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Address: 500 Main St #640, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Contact Us

These people really helped me when literally no one else would. Brandon was very responsive and ready to help.

Jessica G.

They are so professional and nice there and the lawyer is so nice and will listen to you the process was so smooth ????????????

Tyler K.

They worked for us

Stephen D.

Listened to me. Honest with me. Cared about what I had to say. Called back after 5pm and almost immediately.

Joshua S.

Very responsive - dont waste any time getting things taken care of.. im very appreciative of the work these guys did

Dominic G.
View Our Reviews on Google

Contact Us for a Free Case Review

 

CALL 24/7

(817) 877-3030

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.