The Sugar Land, TX DWI / DUI Lawyer that Cares
Charged with driving under the influence in Sugar Land? Talk to an attorney who can help.
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A DWI in Sugar Land is Stressful. Let Us Help.
It’s very stressful to be arrested for DWI. You need great legal representation by your side.
It’s one of the more frequent offenses in Sugar Land, but DWI can be expensive for those arrested. If you had a BAC of .08% or above, you could be arrested for it.
The state of Texas and the prosecutors in Fort Bend County are very aggressive when pursuing DWI convictions. That’s where Michael & Associates can help you.
Meet your Sugar Land Defense Team
Have You Been Arrested for DWI in Sugar Land?
Just because there are a lot of arrests for DWI in Sugar Land, people sometimes think the penalty for a conviction isn’t steep.
Those people are dead wrong.
Expensive Fines and Jail Time Await Those Convicted
Just because there are a lot of arrests for DWI in Sugar Land, people sometimes think the penalty for a conviction isn’t steep.
Those people are dead wrong.
Here are the sentences that the prosecutor will seek for DWI convictions:
First offense:
As high as a $2,000 fine
From 6 months to 180 days in jail
Driver’s license suspension for up to a year
Second offense:
- A fine as high as $4,000
- Between one and twelve months in jail
- Driver’s license suspension for up to two years
Third+ Offense:
- As high as a $10,000 fine
- From 2 and 10 years in prison
- Suspension of driver’s license for up to two years
- Felony on your record
Driving with underage passengers, or causing property damage before your arrest will trigger a sentence enhancement as well, which means that those cases are ones the prosecutor may fight hard to win.
One Error Shouldn’t Define Your Path Forward
It’s not just the jail sentences and fines either. You can see huge insurance hikes, and the credit checks to find a home rental become harder to pass if you are convicted.
The stakes are quite high, so be sure to choose a great team to have at your side.
There are a lot of pitfalls ahead if you make a misstep. The legal team at Michael and Associates has seen the mistakes that others made, so we can help you avoid them.
Michael & Associates Is in Your Corner
The Michael & Associates legal team has nearly ten full years of experience under our belt, winning cases just like yours. We are problem solvers who help get lives back on track.
With hundreds of cases argued in and around Sugar Land, we possess the experience necessary to secure sentence reductions and even outright dismissals of cases.
Our custom defense is highlighted by the white-glove treatment we give our clients. We look to provide the most comprehensive case review and formulate the best defense strategy possible, which leads to results.
The bloated firms are pushing clients through like tickets at a deli counter. But we offer full access to Ben Michael, our managing partner, who will do everything he can to make the process easy to understand and reduce the huge amounts of stress being placed on your shoulders.
At Michael & Associates, we pride ourselves on this approach. Schedule a free case review today, and let’s start planning your DWI defense strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI in Sugar Land
In Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, and anywhere else in the state of Texas, motor vehicle operators who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be charged with driving while intoxicated. What exactly is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), and why is it so important to know about?
There are many factors that can affect your blood alcohol concentration. The amount of drinks that will put you at a BAC 0.08% depends on several factors, including your sex, weight, and tolerance to alcohol.
In Sugar Land, the penalties vary based on how many offenses you have had.
First Offense
- As much as a $2,000 fine
- As many as six months in jail, with three mandatory days
- Lose your driving privileges for up to one year
Second Offense
- As much as a $4,000 fine
- One month to a year in jail
- Lose your driving privileges for up to 2 years
Third Offense
- A $10,000 fine
- Two to ten years in prison
- Lose your driving privileges for up to two years
Additional fines and sentences apply if driving with a child in the car, which can include:
- Increased fines up to $10,000
- As many as two years in jail
- Six months added to your driver’s license suspension
As soon as you’re pulled over by the police, please pull over. Do not attempt to evade them as you will likely fail to outrun them and will be charged with extra crimes.
Once an officer approaches your vehicle, be polite, honest, and cooperative. The officers will appreciate your cooperating, and they’ll be ten times more likely to return your documents faster. You will most likely also be checked for any outstanding warrants during the stop. This step is fairly quick and only takes an extra few minutes.
Officers might inquire whether you know why they pulled you over. Just let the know you don’t know the reason by saying “No Sir” or “No Ma’am”. The probable cause they want to establish can make the case harder for your lawyer to win, so don’t tell them a reason.
As the officer explains to you what the tests will entail, simply state that you do not wish to participate because you believe you will do poorly. Politely but firmly tell the officer that you would like to speak with your lawyer before you are put through these tests.
You may still be arrested on the grounds of slurred speech, alcohol smell, or bloodshot eyes. Field sobriety tests are designed for police officers to “blur the lines” between being drunk and sober. Police officers have even been known to make arrests even when drivers are under a .08. You should politely decline these tests because breath and blood tests are not always accurate and can lead to license suspensions.
If your test results are above the .08 limit, you can also be charged with DUI. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you challenge the test results and preserve your driving privileges.
The officer may obtain a warrant to force you to take the blood test after you are arrested, but the warrant will take some time to clear.
Never incriminate yourself and be sure to ask for your lawyer at the earliest possible chance.
The worst thing you can do when charged with a DUI is to plead guilty or admit your guilt. Even if you are guilty, there are often ways to craft a defense and get a better outcome.