First Offense DWI The Law Office of R.C. Pate was built on a solid foundation of knowledge, developing solutions that take into account our clients' unique situations, and a willingness to fight aggressively and think creatively to defend our clients' rights as quickly and efficiently as possible.

San Antonio First Offense DWI Lawyer

Being pulled over for the first time in a DWI is commonly a scary, humiliating, and stressful experience. You may know little about the law, the procedures you will face, your legal rights, or how to best protect yourself in the court system. As someone new to the DWI process, your best action to take is to seek the help of a trusted and experienced DWI defense lawyer in your area.

At The Law Office of RC Pate, you can turn to an attorney who is a leader in this field in defending clients of first offenses as well as subsequent offenses. Attorney RC Page is not only a former prosecutor who prosecuted DWI charges, he has spent most of his career defending them. His knowledge and skills are well-known and respected because of his many successes and accomplishments, including his Lawyer-Scientist designation by the American Chemical Society, a rare achievement. This means that he has an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the blood science involved in DWI charges that few others have.

Ready to discuss your case with our San Antonio first offense DWI attorney for advice and guidance? Contact The Law Office of RC Pate at (210) 757-4373 or online to set up an appointment.

DWI/DUI

First Offense DWI Charges in San Antonio

DWI, which stands for “driving while intoxicated” has been established under Texas Penal Code Chapter 49 that defines it in the following ways:

“Not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body.”
Having an alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher.

Thus, you can be arrested and charged for driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Furthermore, an arrest can occur if you were not actually driving your vehicle down the roadway. The definition of DWI applies to “operating” a vehicle which can be viewed very broadly; it can mean anything that has to do with enabling vehicle use. Based on the first definition, if you show signs of intoxication or impairment even if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is under .08, you could still be arrested and charged.

First Offense Penalties

The penalties for a first-offense DWI conviction depend on the circumstances of your case. However, the general guidelines include:

72 hours up to six months of jail time
Fines of up to $2,000
License suspension of 90 days to a year

If your BAC measured .15 percent or higher, you would face stiffer penalties, such as up to a year in jail and fines enhanced up to $4,000. Penalties will also likely increase if you were driving with a child under the age of 15 or if you caused a serious injury.

In many cases, you may apply for a restricted license while your license is suspended. This is also known as an occupational license that allows you to drive to and from vital places such as work or school.

Deferred Adjudication in Texas

You can plea bargain in DWI cases for lesser charges. For example, as a first offender, you may be able to defer the charge by completing all requirements of your probation. The requirements will generally include using an ignition interlock device and meeting other conditions as ordered by the court. This deferred adjudication can lead to your case being dismissed. However, it is not available to those arrested with a BAC of .15 percent or higher.

Ready to Get Started?

Ensure you have the best possible defense with help from our capable and experienced DWI lawyer. Find out how The Law Office of RC Pate can help you fight charges by contacting us today.

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