DWI/DUI

A Personal Commitment To Your Defense

In the overwhelming Collin County/DFW legal market, it is easy to become just another case number at a large firm, passed off to an associate you’ve never met.

Wilton Law Group was founded on a different principle.

As our founding attorney, Sallye Wilton, promises: “If you hire me, you get me.”

This is not a slogan; it is our core operational philosophy. When you retain our firm, you get the full benefit of Ms. Wilton’s experience, backed by our dedicated support team. We believe proactive communication is essential. We will explain the process, answer your questions, and ensure you are an active participant in your own defense.

You Have Two Fights: The Criminal Charge And Your Driver’s License

Immediately following a DWI arrest, you are facing two separate and simultaneous legal battles, each with its own timeline and serious consequences.

• The criminal case: This is the charge of “driving while intoxicated” (DWI). It is handled in a criminal court in Dallas, Collin or another DFW county. The penalties involve potential jail time, significant fines, probation and a permanent mark on your criminal record.
• The administrative case: This is a civil case brought by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to suspend your driver’s license. This is known as the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing.

You generally have fifteen days after service of a suspension notice to request an ALR hearing. For a mailed notice after blood-test results, DPS gives twenty days from mailing. Missing the applicable deadline allows the suspension to take effect. Reviewing your notice and requesting any available hearing is an urgent step in protecting your driving privileges.

• Texas DPS: Administrative License Revocation
• Occupational licenses and other license matters

Building Your DWI Defense In Collin County

Our firm’s mission is to protect your rights and preserve your future. We achieve this by meticulously investigating every fact of your case to build a powerful defense. We are not a plea-mill firm; we prepare every case as if it is going to trial.

If you have been accused of driving while intoxicated in Dallas, our defense strategy may include challenging:

• The stop: Did the officer have reasonable suspicion to pull you over in the first place? If the stop was illegal, evidence that follows may be subject to suppression, depending on the facts and applicable exceptions.
• Field sobriety tests: These tests depend on their administration and interpretation. We review how they were performed and look for errors or other factors affecting the results.
• BAC test results: Whether you took a breath or blood test for blood alcohol content (BAC), there are strict protocols that must be followed. As an experienced BAC test attorney in Texas who deals with BAC tests on a regular basis, Sallye Wilton investigates machine calibration records, the qualifications of the person who drew your blood, and the chain of custody.

DWI Penalties In Texas

The consequences for a guilty verdict for a DWI charge in Texas are severe and escalate with each offense.

• First-offense DWI: A first offense is generally a Class B misdemeanor, with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. An open container raises the minimum jail term to six days; an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more makes the offense a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction-related license suspension can range from 90 days to one year, subject to statutory exceptions. As your first-offense DWI lawyer in Dallas, our primary goal is to seek a dismissal, a reduction of the charge, or an eligible alternative resolution. Diversion depends on the county and program; Collin County’s published general guidelines exclude DWI, with exceptions requiring approval.
• Second-offense DWI: With one qualifying prior conviction, this is generally a Class A misdemeanor with penalties including 30 days to one year in jail, fines up to $4,000, and a longer license suspension.
• Felony DWI (third or more): With two qualifying prior convictions, a DWI is generally a third-degree felony, carrying a sentence of two to 10 years in state prison, and fines up to $10,000.

You may also face requirements for an ignition interlock device installed in your car, mandatory alcohol education classes, and court costs. Additional statutory traffic fines may apply, subject to an indigency waiver. A child passenger, a school crossing zone during reduced-speed hours, injury or other circumstances can change the charge; prior convictions can increase punishment.

• Texas Penal Code: intoxication offenses

Why Our Collin County And DFW Experience Matters

The legal landscape is not the same in every courthouse. The local rules, the prosecutors’ tendencies, and the judges’ preferences vary significantly between Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall and Kaufman counties.

Our team possesses deep, local knowledge of the DFW and surrounding county court systems. We have spent years building relationships and cultivating a reputation for being prepared, professional and tough. This insight allows us to build a drunk driving defense that is not just based on the code books, but on the practical realities of the courtroom you are in.

Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Defense

Maneuvering the justice system can be intimidating when you are facing DWI charges. Here, we answer some of the questions we often get from clients.

What should I do immediately after a DWI arrest in Collin County?

First, remain silent. You have the right to not answer questions that could incriminate you. Second, contact the Wilton Law Group immediately — day or night. Third, write down every detail you can remember about the arrest. Finally, be prepared to act quickly to protect your license; check your suspension notice and the applicable ALR deadline described above.

How long will a DWI stay on my record in Texas?

Without successful legal intervention, a DWI conviction stays on your criminal record forever. For some first-time offenders, it may be possible to limit public disclosure through an order of nondisclosure after completing probation or a sentence. Eligibility and waiting periods depend on the disposition, alcohol concentration, prior record, any collision and other statutory conditions. Nondisclosure does not erase the record.

• Expunction and nondisclosure

Can a first-time DWI charge be reduced or dismissed in Collin County?

A reduction or dismissal is possible and is our primary objective; it cannot be promised. A reduction (e.g., to “Obstruction of Highway”) or a full dismissal is possible if we can successfully challenge the evidence, such as an illegal stop, an improperly administered BAC test, or lack of evidence.

Will I lose my driver’s license after a DWI in Texas?

A DWI arrest does not by itself mean you will lose your license. A failed or refused test can lead to a separate ALR suspension, and a conviction may have its own license consequences. Check the notice-based deadline described above. Requesting a hearing lets you contest the proposed suspension; it does not guarantee the outcome.

What are the penalties for refusing a breath or blood test in Texas?

Under Texas’s “implied consent” law, refusing a requested breath or blood specimen can lead to an ALR suspension of 180 days, or two years with a qualifying enforcement contact in the preceding 10 years. A timely hearing request allows a challenge. Refusal does not necessarily prevent testing under a warrant.

Protect Your Rights. Contact Wilton Law Group Today.

The time to build your defense is now. The applicable ALR deadline may be fast-approaching, and the prosecution is already building its case against you.

Contact Wilton Law Group for a consultation by calling (972) 914-9115. The answering service takes calls day or night; the firm can discuss the next steps to protect your rights and preserve your future.