EXPERIENCED AND EFFECTIVE DWI DEFENSE

Experienced San Antonio DWI Lawyer

Client-Centered Legal Advocacy For The San Antonio Area

ABOUT ME AND MY LAW FIRM

Aggressive DWI Defense That Gets You Successful Results

Driving While Intoxicated or DWI is a serious offense, especially in Texas. The stakes are high if you are charged with a DWI in San Antonio, even if it is your first offense. DWI cases have strict deadlines with real-world consequences. It is critical to fight the suspension of your driver’s license, assert your constitutional rights, and do everything possible to avoid a final conviction — and you can’t do it by yourself.

When you employ the services of a San Antonio DWI lawyer at the Law Firm of Joseph Lassen, you can be confident that you will receive one of the best DWI defenses possible, and that you have one of the best San Antonio DWI lawyer who is also willing to work tirelessly to reduce the consequences and penalties you currently are facing.

Putting Your Trust In One Of The Best DWI Lawyer San Antonio

Keep Your Driving Privileges And Clean Record After A DWI Arrest

In the state of Texas, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle if you have:

  • A blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08%
  • Lost use of physical facilities as a result of alcohol or drug consumption
  • Lost use of mental faculties as a result of alcohol or drug consumption

Drivers under the age of 21 are also prohibited from driving with ANY detectable amount of alcohol in their system. They can be charged with “DUI,” or driving under the influence if they are suspected of having alcohol in their system. Drivers under the age of 21 may also be charged with DWI depending on the circumstances.

We represent both adults and minors accused of drunk driving at The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen. The goal in every case is to keep your driving privileges and, if possible, avoid a criminal conviction.

San Antonio car accident lawyer

A Relentless DUI Lawyer In San Antonio, Texas

A minor driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a serious offense. When it comes to alcohol, all Texas drivers under the age of 21 are subject to a Zero Tolerance policy. Minors who violate this policy may be cited or arrested. If this is the case for you or a loved one, it is best to contact a DUI lawyer and receive help immediately.

Protecting You Against The Flaws Of Blood Alcohol Content Testing

To determine BAC levels, police officers conduct a variety of tests such as:

  • Breath tests
  • Blood tests
  • Field sobriety tests

Because studies have shown that these can be administered incorrectly or produce inaccurate results, an experienced San Antonio DWI lawyer can help you defend against this evidence. Remember, that being arrested for DWI in San Antonio simply means that charges have been filed against you. At this point, you are not guilty.

It is your right to defend yourself against these charges and hiring a competent and experienced San Antonio DWI lawyer from The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen can protect your rights and, in some cases, reduce or even dismiss your charges and fines.

Finding The Best DWI Lawyer San Antonio

Why It’s A Must To Get The Right Legal Representation In Texas

If you have been charged with a DWI or DUI in San Antonio, you must immediately retain the services of a San Antonio DWI attorney. Unfortunately, DWIs and DUIs in Texas can result in steep court fines, court costs, probation, mandatory jail time, and endless classes and fees. If you are convicted of a DWI or DUI, any additional charges can and will carry severe penalties, including state jail or prison time. You may also be barred from entering any restaurant or bar that serves alcohol.

The best way to defend against DWI charges is to hire a San Antonio DWI lawyer who is familiar with the process and can best defend your rights. In addition to dealing with the criminal aspects of your case, you have only 15 days to request an ALR (administrative license revocation) hearing. If you do not, your license will be revoked on the 40th day following your DWI arrest.

This is why it is critical to contact a reputable DWI lawyer in San Antonio who is experienced in handling DWI cases. As a former prosecutor and long-term criminal defense attorney, the San Antonio DWI lawyer at the Law Firm of Joseph Lassen knows what to expect and how to best defend your DWI case.

If you are convicted of your first DWI, you will be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. You could face a fine of up to $2000, three to 180 days in jail, and a driver’s license suspension of 90 to 365 days. Additional DWI circumstances – prior convictions, other offenses included in the DWI charge, accidents, speeding, bodily harm, and other factors – will necessitate additional mitigation strategies. A first offense necessitates the careful attention of an experienced San Antonio DWI attorney.

A second DWI carries harsher penalties, court costs, jail time, and all of the fees listed above. A second DWI conviction is a Class A misdemeanor. You could be fined up to $4,000, imprisoned for at least 30 days and up to one year, and have your driver’s license suspended for 180 days and up to two years. If you get a second DWI, you will almost certainly be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. To best defend against a second DWI conviction and minimize potential damages, you should hire an experienced San Antonio DWI attorney who can assist you in mitigating your situation.

A third DWI, as well as any subsequent offenses, is a felony in Texas. You could face a $10,000 fine, two to ten years in prison, and your driver’s license could be suspended for 180 days to two years.

It is critical to have legal representation from the beginning of the case. Whatever you are accused of, please remember that these are only charges leveled against you. At this point, you are not guilty of anything. You give yourself the best chance to mitigate your circumstances and reduce damages if you hire an experienced San Antonio DWI lawyer right away.

Get Helpful Answers From Our San Antonio DWI Lawyer

It is frightening to face DWI charges. You require the services of an experienced San Antonio DWI attorney who can provide tenacious representation. When facing a DWI charge, the Law Firm of Joseph Lassen can provide the skilled legal counsel and assertive advocacy you require.

“DWI” stands for “driving while intoxicated.” According to Texas law, intoxication is defined as “not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties due to 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; OR (b) having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.”

This is referred to as a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) or simply blood alcohol level. It measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s system. To determine a person’s BAC, states typically use breathalyzers and/or blood tests.

Currently, each state has set the criminal blood alcohol level at or above 0.08%.

The reliability of a DWI test is always a factor. The amount of time between the “offense” and when the test is administered is one factor to consider. The number of tests given and the time between each test must also be considered. It is also necessary to consider the defendant’s characteristics. Some people are said to exhibit behaviors or mannerisms that could be misinterpreted as signs of intoxication.

Characteristics and general behaviors include but are not limited to:

  • Weight and gender
  • Drinking pattern
  • Alcohol tolerance
  • How much the person drank that day
  • What the person drank
  • The duration of drinking time
  • The last time the person had a drink
  • Any food the person consumed before, during, or after the drinking

Texas uses what is called a standardized field sobriety test, or SFST, which is composed of three different tests. These tests include:

  • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test
  • One-leg Stand (OLS) test
  • Walk and Turn (WAT) test

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developed the three tests that comprise the SFST in the 1970s, and law enforcement began using them in 1981. It was determined that this was the most effective method of determining the intoxication of a driver with a BAC of 0.10 or higher. The officer administering the test determines the validity of this method of testing. If the test is administered correctly, the accuracy of each test is as follows:

  • HGN – 77%
  • WAT – 68%
  • OLS – 65%

Of course, this is cause for concern. Even in a laboratory setting, each test was incorrect at least 23% of the time. You must have a San Antonio DWI lawyer who understands how to read these tests and analyze the circumstances surrounding the tests. Joseph Lassen worked for the New York Police Department for over 20 years and has seen his fair share of intoxicated drivers and field sobriety tests. Allow The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen’s experience and knowledge to defend you.

Yes. However, due to the implied consent law, the state may attempt to revoke your driver’s license if you refuse these tests. Some argue that because the prosecution lacks actual evidence to use against you at trial, it is more difficult for the prosecution to convict you of DWI.

A DWI checkpoint, also known as a sobriety checkpoint, is a designated location where law enforcement officers stop and check drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. DWI checkpoint laws differ from state to state. To learn more about the legality and use of DWI checkpoints, contact the Department of Public Safety or Joseph Lassen.

The exact legal process will vary depending on your jurisdiction’s laws and your specific situation. However, after an officer has pulled you over and determined you’re driving under the influence (generally using field sobriety tests, chemical tests, or both), you can expect to:

  • Have your vehicle impounded
  • Be taken into custody
  • Be charged for driving while intoxicated
  • See variation in the length of custody. Sometimes, it’s until you can get a ride or sober up; other times, it’s until you can go before a judicial officer such as a magistrate and have an arraignment.
  • Pay a bail or bond before being released
  • Have your license temporarily suspended or receive temporary driving privileges
  • Have your official trial scheduled
  • Be assigned a court-appointed attorney (also known as a public defender) or hire your private DWI lawyer
  • Attend your official hearing and receive your judgment and any associated penalties

No. To arrest you for DWI, an officer only needs probable cause. This is not a finding of guilt, but rather the officer’s opinion. To convict you of an offense, a judge or jury must have proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Call The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen to receive a thorough analysis of your case and to determine the best way to protect you from further harm.

It is conceivable. To save your license, you have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing. This is why if you are searching for a “DWI attorney near me” in San Antonio, it is critical that you contact our law firm and request a consultation with our experienced San Antonio DWI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

A common DWI penalty is license suspension or revocation. Depending on the facts of your case, the severity of the offense, and prior convictions, The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen can reduce or even dismiss your charges.

The nature of your DWI conviction will determine whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanor charges are the most common type of DWI charges. In general, a misdemeanor conviction occurs when:

  • Your BAC isn’t too much over the legal limit
  • There was no personal injury or death involved
  • You don’t have prior convictions

On the other hand, felony DWI often involves:

  • High BAC
  • A child passenger
  • A personal injury or death
  • Prior convictions
  • Driving while your license is already suspended or revoked

Needless to say, a felony DWI conviction carries much harsher penalties than does a misdemeanor charge.

Yes. Driving under the influence is a criminal offense, and it will appear on your criminal record. You may be able to have your record expunged depending on the specific circumstances.

Yes, in most cases; however, it depends on how thorough the background check is and how far back the check extends. Remember that criminal background checks — which are more focused on criminal convictions than regular background checks — may always reveal your DWI conviction (unless your record has been expunged).

Yes. If you are convicted of driving under the influence, your car insurance provider will consider you a “high risk” driver and will either raise your rates or refuse to renew your policy. You may also be required to file SR-22 or FR-44 forms. An SR-22 form verifies that you have met your state’s car insurance requirements and that you will maintain coverage for a specified period of time. An FR-44 form requires you to purchase car insurance limits that are higher than the minimum requirements in your state. Please call or email The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen at +1-210-625-6540 for a free consultation.

Request A Consultation With Our DWI Lawyer San Antonio TX

If you are searching for a “DWI attorney near me” in San Antonio who you can handle your case effectively, there’s no need to look elsewhere. At the Law Firm Joseph Lassen, our San Antonio DWI attorney, and his legal staff can provide you with the defense you need based off your unique situation. 

To reach our San Antonio offices, call +1-210-625-6540 or send an email message to The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen. With the help of our dedicated legal team, our San Antonio DWI lawyer will vigorously defend your rights. Contact our law firm today and set up a consultation appointment to get more information about your specific DWI or DUI charges.