Facing a DWI charge in Harris County often means stress about your driving privileges and uncertainty about work. It can also create pressure at home while you figure out what happens next. Your Harris County DWI attorney at Walter J. Pink & Associates, PC can take a closer look at your arrest and explain what defenses may fit your case.
A Houston criminal defense lawyer with our team can walk you through the process step by step so you are not left guessing. If you or someone you love has been taken into custody for DWI, contact our team today to talk with someone who can guide you through your options and start protecting your future.
Penalties You Could Face After a DWI Conviction in Harris County
The consequences of a DWI conviction in Harris County depend on your record and the details of the arrest. Penalties grow more severe when you have prior convictions or aggravating factors such as high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels or a child in the car. Here are some of the most common outcomes:
- License suspension
- Jail time
- Installation of an ignition interlock device to maintain your driving privileges
- Probation
- Community service
- Mandatory alcohol classes
- Fines
- Higher insurance rates
- Permanent criminal record
- Loss of certain professional licenses
For first-time misdemeanors, penalties may involve fines or probation. In some cases, short jail terms are also possible. Under Texas law, repeat convictions carry much harsher outcomes that may include lengthy incarceration. Certain penalties, such as license suspensions or higher insurance costs, can continue affecting you long after the court process is finished.
Arrest and Testing Procedures in Harris County DWI Cases
Most DWI arrests in Harris County start with a traffic stop. Officers often say they noticed unusual driving, such as drifting between lanes or sudden changes in speed. Your Harris County DWI lawyer with Walter J. Pink & Associates, PC is here to help you understand why these early observations can have such an influence on the rest of your case.
How Harris County Law Enforcement Handles DWI Arrests
Drivers are often pulled over after police report weaving or rolling through stop signs. Officers may also stop someone for speeding late at night. Once the stop occurs, questions about drinking usually follow, along with requests for field sobriety tests.
The Texas Penal Code § 49.04 makes it a crime to operate a vehicle while intoxicated, but officers must still rely on their own interpretation during the stop. That judgment is not always precise, and mistakes in how the test is explained or recorded can affect the evidence. Knowing these details is important if you want to challenge the arrest.
What Happens After a Failed Breath or Blood Test
If the officer believes you are intoxicated, the next step is often a chemical test. Breath or blood samples are used to estimate your blood alcohol concentration, but lab equipment is not flawless and errors can lead to questionable results. The process also may require additional testing if officers suspect drug charges alongside alcohol.
Under Texas Transportation Code § 724.015, drivers give implied consent to testing when they get behind the wheel. Refusing the test can bring consequences including immediate license suspension. A failed test gives the state evidence, but the way samples are taken and handled can still be reviewed and questioned in court.
Call a DWI Lawyer in Harris County Today
Your DWI attorney in Harris County from Walter J. Pink & Associates, PC can answer questions and walk you through what happens after an arrest. Please contact us when you are ready to discuss your options for keeping your license and addressing fines that may come with a conviction.
Schedule your initial consultation today to begin working with a legal advocate who has in-depth knowledge of how DWI cases are handled in Harris County courts.