The San Antonio, TX DWI / DUI Lawyer that Cares
Charged with driving while intoxicated? Michael & Associates has been fighting DWIs in San Antonio for years.
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A DWI in San Antonio is Costly. Let Us Help.
A DWI charge can be extremely stressful.
In Texas, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 or higher. This crime is unfortunately quite common in the San Antonio area.
The state of Texas takes DWI violations very seriously. If you have been charged with a DWI, it is crucial that you hire a competent and experienced attorney.
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The Consequences of a DWI Conviction
Many people think that because DWI is so common, the penalties are not severe. This is not the case. The penalties for a DWI conviction are as follows:
1st offense:
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Loss of driver’s license for up to a year
2nd offense:
- Up to a $4,000 fine
- Between 1 and 12 months in jail
- Loss of driver’s license for up to two years
3rd+ offense:
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Loss of driver’s license for up to two years
- A Felony on your record
There are also various enhanced charges that can be added on, such as driving with a child onboard.
Fight for Your Future
In addition to the criminal penalties, a DWI can cause you to lose your license, make it harder to find a job, and raise your insurance rates.
Hiring an experienced DWI attorney is crucial if you have been charged with a DWI. At Michael & Associates, we have been fighting DWI cases for nearly a decade. We have successfully handled numerous DWI cases in and around San Antonio.
Our goal is to provide high-quality DWI defense. We treat each case individually and work diligently to get you a great outcome.
Unlike many larger firms, we do not treat our clients like numbers. You will have full access to your senior attorney. We will take the time to explain everything to you and answer any questions you may have.
Schedule a free case review today so we can start working on your DWI defense strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions about DWI/DUI in San Antonio
At Michael & Associates, we take pride in offering you the white-glove treatment, and the best outcome you can hope for.
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 offer that white-glove treatment to each client.
We give our clients Ben’s direct number. He is available any time of the day to his clients. At other firms, you are 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 Texas county. 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 San Antonio, or anywhere else in Bexar 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 requires to be at or above .08% is different for everyone. Your height, weight, and sex are all contributors. It mostly relies on how long it has been since you took a sip of alcohol.
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.