Collin County DWI And Drunk Driving Defense Attorney
If you get arrested for DWI, you are facing a complex legal battle that threatens your freedom, your finances, your career and your future. While the anxiety of this situation can be overwhelming, it is crucial to remember one thing: an arrest is not a conviction.
At Wilton Law Group, we understand the stakes. Our firm is built on a foundation of personal commitment and trusted local experience. When you are facing the power of the state, you need an assertive and knowledgeable Collin County DWI lawyer who will personally champion your case and protect your rights.
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 Ann Wilton, promises: “If you hire me, you get me.”
This is not just 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 associate and 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 here 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 have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request this ALR hearing. Failure to do so results in an automatic license suspension. As your license suspension attorney, one of our first and most urgent actions is to request this hearing to fight for your driving privileges.
Building Your Drinking While Driving 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 defense 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, all evidence that follows could be suppressed.
- Field sobriety tests: These tests are notoriously unreliable and subjective and often administered incorrectly. We know how to expose their flaws.
- 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: Even for a first offense (a Class B Misdemeanor), you face 72 hours to 180 days in jail, fines up to $2,000, and a license suspension of 90 days to one year. As your first-offense DWI lawyer in Dallas, our primary goal is to seek a dismissal, a reduction of the charge, or entry into a diversion program to keep this off your record.
- Second-offense DWI: This is 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): A third DWI is 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 lawyer (a device installed in your car), mandatory alcohol education classes, and court costs.
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 save your license; we must request your ALR hearing within 15 days.
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 eventually have the record sealed through an order of non-disclosure, but only if you successfully complete probation.
Can a first-time DWI charge be reduced or dismissed in Collin County?
Yes. This is always our primary objective. 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?
You will, unless we act fast. The state initiates an automatic license suspension, separate from your criminal case. We must formally request your ALR hearing within 15 days of your arrest to challenge this suspension and fight to keep you on the road.
What are the penalties for refusing a breath or blood test in Texas?
Under Texas’s “implied consent” law, refusing a chemical test triggers an automatic driver’s license suspension (an ALR suspension). This suspension is often longer than the one for failing the test (180 days for a first-time refusal).
Protect Your Rights. Contact Wilton Law Group Today.
The time to build your defense is now. The 15-day ALR deadline is fast-approaching, and the prosecution is already building its case against you.
Contact Wilton Law Group for a confidential consultation by calling 972-587-0071. We are here 24/7 to take your call, listen to your story, and begin the fight to protect your rights and preserve your future.