The Arlington, TX DWI / DUI Lawyer Who Fights For You
Charged with driving under the influence in Arlington? Talk to an attorney who can help.
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Charged with DWI in Arlington? Let Us Help.
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a type of criminal charge for people caught driving drunk. The legal threshold for this charge is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
Common wisdom says to never drive drunk. However, it is one of the more common crimes in Arlington and Tarrant County. Some people do it, because they think they’re sober whereas others don’t treat it as seriously as it should be treated.
DWI charges are no laughing matter. When you show up to your court date, the Travis County court system will not be your friend. They will see you as a possible public danger due to your actions.
This is why Michael & Associates exists. We want to help as many residents as possible in the American Dream City by getting their cases dismissed or charges dropped.
Arlingtonites facing DWIs are in the best of care with Michael & Associates. Contact us for a free case review to find out what we can do to help you in these trying times.
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A DWI Could Land You in Prison
As mentioned before, DWIs are common in Arlington, but neither the Texas government nor the Tarrant County court system will give you a slap on the wrist and send you home. Instead, you will be facing these possible penalties:
For your 1st offense:
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Loss of driver’s license for up to 12 months
For your 2nd offense:
- Up to a $4,000 fine
- Between 1 and 12 months in jail
- Loss of driver’s license for up to 24 months
For your 3rd+ offense:
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Loss of driver’s license for up to 24 months
- A felony on your record
On top of all of this, you will be facing enhanced charges and a much more difficult case if you were caught driving drunk with a child in the car.
Never Give Up – Fight Your DWI
If you are hit with the full force of the law for your DWI conviction, you will be facing more than just legal penalties.
You will have to deal with further financial problems and social stigma. You will have a DWI on your driving record which can result in higher car insurance payments or the loss of your license. You will have a criminal record which will make it much harder to find a good job.
You made one mistake. You shouldn’t throw your life away over it. Put up a fight. Hire a competent attorney with the years of experience and know how to get you the best outcome possible for your case even if it’s your third or fourth charge.
Michael & Associates Is Your Strongest Ally
We at Michael & Associates have been around the block. We’ve been handling – and winning – DWI cases for almost a decade. We’ve handled cases for hundreds of clients over the years. The majority of these have resulted in case dismissal or a reduction in charges. We’ve saved our clients thousands and prevented them from spending time in jail.
Our main goal is to give each of our clients the total package. Not only will they get the best DWI defense in town, but they will also be treated like royalty. Unlike the other firms in town, we don’t take on every case that comes our way – we only take what we can handle while ensuring high-quality services for our clients and a high percentage win rate.
Frequently Asked Questions about DWI and DUI in Arlington
At Michael & Associates, we take pride in offering you the white-glove treatment and the best possible outcome.
There are so many lawyers in Texas who offer clients big promises but deliver scant results. These lawyers aren’t always worth what they charge. Do they give each case 100%? Usually, they don’t. They just try to close a case quickly so they can move on to an easier one.
Ben Michael has a different philosophy. We only take on the cases we can handle personally. By limiting our caseload, we can provide each client with that white-glove treatment.
We give our clients Ben’s direct number. He is available any time of the day to his clients. At other firms, you’re lucky if you can leave a message and get a call back the next day. Usually, it takes days.
Ben Michael is there to see you through the entire process, from beginning to end. We know that our clients are facing one of the worst moments in their lives. At their lowest point, we can step in to help things get back on track. We fight for you.
Michael & Associates will accept felony and misdemeanor criminal cases of all types. We work on cases that include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
We don’t practice:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Our firm is licensed to practice law in every county in Texas. We are accepting new clients across the state, in all major metropolitan areas.
Just like any other city in Texas, when you are stopped in Arlington, or anywhere else in Tarrant County, anyone operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher can be charged with DWI. Your BAC is the number that represents the saturation level of alcohol in your system.
Exactly how many drinks it takes to reach or exceed 0.08% varies from person to person. Your height, weight, and sex are all contributors. It primarily relies on how long it has been since you took a sip of alcohol.
In Arlington, it all comes down to whether or not you have any prior convictions.
First Offense
- A fine as high as $2,000
- Up to 6 months in jail, with 3 days mandatory
- Losing your license for a year
Second Offense
- A fine as high as $4,000
- From 30 to 365 days in jail
- Losing your license for as many as two years
Third Offense
- $10,000 fine
- 2 to 10 years in prison
- Losing your license for as many as two years
Additional penalties that might apply for having an underage passenger in the motor vehicle:
- Increased fines up to $10,000
- Up to two years in jail
- Six additional months of driver’s license suspension
The first thing you should keep in mind is that failure to stop for an officer will send you directly to prison. Do not run from the police. You will make things much worse for yourself, and you will not outrun them.
When the officer approaches the vehicle, make sure both of your hands are visible. The officer will ask for your paperwork and license. When you go to retrieve them, ask first and let the officer know where you are reaching. Always be as polite as possible.
The officer might also ask you if you know the reason they initiated the traffic stop. You should politely tell them you don’t know why you were stopped. They are looking to establish a reason for the stop, and use that probable cause in court. Don’t remove that line of defense from your lawyer’s arsenal.
Keep in mind that you are on bodycam, so always be as respectful as possible. However, you have the right to refuse to take breathalyzer and field sobriety tests. You will lose your license for a year if you refuse to take a breathalyzer, but if convicted of DWI you would lose the license anyway. Your lawyer can help you fight for a good outcome in either case.
If the officer who initiated the stop thinks they notice any slurred speech, alcohol on your breath, or bloodshot eyes, you might be detained for suspicion of DWI. Once arrested, police will ask you to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test. Refusal means suspension of your license.
Officers can (and will) get a warrant to draw blood and force you to submit to the test, but obtaining the warrant will take some time. Once they’ve gotten the warrant, it’s in your best interest to let them draw the blood. Otherwise, they will do it by force, and it will not be pleasant.
Never answer questions without a lawyer present, and ask to have a conversation with your lawyer as soon as possible.
Yes. You should always put up a vigorous defense against a DWI charge. This situation requires you to mount a swift and robust defense. You need a tough lawyer by your side.