Dallas DWI Defense Lawyer
DWI Offenses
If you or someone you love has been arrested for drunk driving (DWI / DUI), you need an experienced Dallas DWI Attorney in your corner. Driving While Intoxicated charges carry serious consequences including lengthy jail sentences, years of probation, and thousands of dollars in fees and fines. Moreover, unseen penalties can be even worse. For example, many people don’t expect driver’s license suspensions and a permanent criminal record that often comes with a DWI. Consequently, you need an experienced and skilled Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer fighting for you.
Dallas DWI Lawyer
First and foremost, Dallas criminal defense attorney Mike Howard understands that innocent people get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have someone standing with and fighting for them. As an experienced trial lawyer, he has a reputation for fighting back and delivering fantastic results at trial. Not every client and case needs to go to trial, but when your lawyer has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, it makes all the difference in the world.
If you or someone you love is facing DWI charges in the Dallas-Fort Worth area contact the Law Offices of Mike Howard. Dallas DUI lawyer Mike Howard will not only fight for you and do everything he can to prevent the serious consequences of a conviction, but he will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.
A Different Kind of Lawyer
We approach our clients differently than a lot of lawyers. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of lawyer you’ve come to the right place.
Our Case Process
Listen & Understand
Open Communication
Fight for Justice
DWI Offenses in Dallas
What’s commonly referred to as drunk driving or DUI in other states is called Driving While Intoxicated (or DWI) in Texas. According to Texas Penal Code § 49.04, a person commits a DWI offense when they intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. In Texas, DUI (or driving under the influence) is a separate crime that only applies to minors.
There are many different types of DWI charges in Dallas:
- First DWI (a first-time DWI offense)
- Second DWI (a second DWI offense)
- Third DWI (a third or more DWI offense)
- DWI with Child
- Intoxication Assault
- Intoxication Manslaughter
DWI | DUI | Intoxication Offenses Resource Center
Intoxication offenses like DWI are amongst the most complicated criminal charges in Texas. For DWI definitions and information about DWI testing, DWI-related driver’s license suspensions, and more, see our DWI Resource Center.
Defending DWI Charges in Dallas
First and foremost, DWI charges must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails and you must be found not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented in your defense by a skilled Dallas DWI attorney, it can be a powerful weapon in your defense. Reasonable doubts that commonly arise in a DWI case include:
- Were not actually intoxicated (driving while tired, driving while texting, driving while distracted, etc.)
- Can they rule out that someone else may have been driving?
- Could someone else have been operating a vehicle?
- Can they rule out that the police conducted an improper DWI investigation
- failure to follow proper standardized field sobriety test procedures and protocols
- issues with the breathalyzer, blood draw and or storage, or blood test machine (proper calibration, maintenance, testing, qualified operator)
- failure to follow proper standardized field sobriety test procedures and protocols
Above and beyond all this, illegal traffic stops, illegal seizures, and illegal arrests can all be grounds to get a DWI offense thrown out or dismissed.
Choosing The Right DWI Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for DWI lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
Talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you and answer your questions? Do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises or who don’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly and understandably in a written contract or engagement agreement.
Dallas DWI Lawyer Mike Howard
Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas DWI attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.
Client-Centered
The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals. I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.
Willing to Fight
Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas DWI lawyer has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
A Proven Track Record
Dallas DWI Lawyer
A.M. – DWI 2nd
Our client was a combat veteran with a previous DWI and a history of trauma related to his service. He has completed a prior pretrial diversion program so he wasn’t technically eligible for diversion again. We convinced the prosecutor to make an exception and his case was dismissed.
T.V. – DWI First
We took over our client’s case from another lawyer. He had been set for court many times before and was set for trial even though that’s not what he wanted. After one court setting we got his case reduced and got him deferred probation.
L.G. – DWI 3rd
Our client was facing a felony DWI due to his long record. In spite of his record and pretty bad facts, we took his case to trial and got a not guilty.
M.B. – DWI with Child Passenger
Even though his children were in the car when he got his DWI, we were able to get our client’s case reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor and get him time-served.
V.B. – DWI 1st > 0.15 BAC
Our client’s first DWI was enhanced due to a high blood alcohol score. We were able to get the enhancement dropped and avoid jail time.
Awards and Accolades
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Disclaimer: the information here is not legal advice. Reading this site does not create an attorney-client relationship with Dallas DWI lawyer Mike Howard. If you have a legal problem contact an attorney to get specific legal advice. Nothing on this site is intended to be legal advice or a substitute for legal advice.