Plano Multiple DWI Attorneys

Trial-Ready Lawyers Serving Collin & Denton Counties

Multiple DWI charges are extremely serious, as the penalties in Texas for DWI are enhanced when an individual is convicted of multiple DWI charges. If you have previously been convicted of two or more related offenses over the past ten years, you may be facing serious legal trouble. When convicted of a third DWI offense, an individual will face a third-degree felony offense, which carries heavily increased penalties.

Bring in Zen Law Firm’s team of multiple DWI lawyers in Plano when you are facing these serious charges. Call (469) 361-8561 or fill out our online contact form to get started.

Charged with Your Second DWI?

One of the main differences between a first and a second DWI conviction is the installation of an ignition interlock device. If a person commits a DWI within five years of their first offense, then the court will require that they have this device installed at their own cost. The amount of time this device will need to remain in the vehicle depends on the court. Any individual who does not have this device installed or drives a vehicle other than the one equipped with this breath device can be held in contempt of court. The more prior DWI convictions you have on your record, the more serious the consequences will be if you are convicted of a subsequent drunk driving crime. 

The punishments for a second DWI include the following:

• Up to a year in jail
• Up to $4000 in fines
• Community service
• Probation
• 2-year license suspension
• Class A misdemeanor charge

Second Offenses & Your License

A second drunk driving conviction within five years of your first offense will make it more difficult to have your driving privileges reinstated. You can still request an ALR hearing to contest your license suspension, but it may prove more difficult to contest the evidence with prior offenses of this nature on your record. In order to get your license reinstated or to serve as a punishment for a conviction, a driver who has been convicted of their second DWI may be required to attend an Alcohol Education Program as part of their probation. Provided that you have met all of the other necessary requirements for reinstatement, you will still have to pay a fee, provide proof of insurance, and provide proof of completion of a “Repeat Offender DWI Education Program” to the Department of Public Safety before your suspension period ends.

Penalties for a Third DWI in Texas

Even if you have been arrested for your third DWI offense, you are still entitled to the best legal defense. A third, fourth, or subsequent drunk driving charge is no doubt more serious than a first or second DWI, but a charge of this nature still does not mean that conviction is imminent.

In Texas, you may face the following penalties upon conviction of your third DWI:

• Up to 10 years in prison
• Up to $10,000 in fines
• Community service
• Probation
• 3rd degree felony charge
• 2-year license suspension

It is important to remember that a third DWI conviction within a 10-year period of your first conviction will be considered a felony. This is called a “lookback period,” and it applies to third and subsequent DWIs. Typically, a DWI charge is only a felony if it involves the injury or death of another, but in cases where there are multiple DWIs, then it will also be considered a felony offense.

Can You Get Probation For a 3rd DWI?

While the penalties for a 3rd DWI in Texas are quite clear in terms of prison time minimums it is important to note that you may qualify for probation given a plea bargain. With the approval of the judge an individual may be given probation requiring them to complete 600 hours of community service, attend substance abuse counseling and/or classes regularly, and take part in a DWI intervention program.

Can I Fight a License Suspension?

As far as your civil proceedings are concerned, the same 15-day rule will apply for third DWI cases. From the time of your arrest, you will have 15 days in which you can request an ALR Hearing. This hearing can be requested by submitting the appropriate form to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). If the driver does not submit this form within the 15-day window, their license suspension will be made permanent. This will go into effect 41 days after the notice of suspension was received. If a driver makes this request within the 15-day window, but their hearing is scheduled more than 41 days later, their temporary driving permit will be extended.

DWI Plea Bargains

Plea bargains are rare in cases of DWI offenses, but they are not impossible. A plea bargain is a type of arrangement between the defendant and the court. In these scenarios, the defendant will plead “guilty” in order to receive a lesser conviction and punishment. For example, it may be possible in some DWI cases to plead guilty in order to have the DWI charge reduced to the lesser charge of reckless driving. This is a possible option to discuss with your attorney. Your attorney will have your best interests in mind and will only suggest this method if it proves to be in your best interests.

Call Zen Law Firm Today

Knowledgeable legal counsel may be able to challenge any evidence being used against you, including the results of a field sobriety test and/or a breath test that was administered at the time of your arrest. 

If you are hoping to avoid the increased penalties of a second or third DWI conviction, it is highly recommended that you contact a qualified criminal defense attorney at (469) 361-8561 as soon as you have been arrested.