Arrested by the police on a drunk driving charge in Fort Worth or surrounding areas in DFW? Charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and want to protect your rights and avoid getting convicted?
Then you need an experienced and skilled Fort Worth DWI lawyer and former Tarrant County prosecutor to provide personal legal representation and give you the best defense in fighting your DWI. All of our DWI lawyers are former DWI prosecutors with extensive legal experience handling DWI charges in Texas. Our lawyers have over 200 combined criminal jury trial cases, including trial experience for every type of DWI offense, from misdemeanor to felony DWI. Our goal is either a dismissal of your charge or a reduced charge after you were arrested for drunk driving.
OUR LAW OFFICE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR DWI DEFENSE:
EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN TEXAS DWI TRIALS
Our criminal defense lawyers have extensive practical experience providing legal representation in DWI trials. Our Fort Worth DWI lawyers have worked hundreds of hours on DWI cases and tried over 100 DWI specific jury trials in Texas, which range from misdemeanor DWI charges (Driving While Intoxicated) to felony DWI charges (DWI Felony Repetition). In addition, we have reviewed and negotiated thousands of DWI charges and related alleged crimes so that our clients avoid getting convicted and fined. Our lawyers have been tested in court and aim to provide the best legal service available.
FORMER PROSECUTORS IN TARRANT, DALLAS, AND HARRIS COUNTY
As former prosecutors in Tarrant, Dallas, and Harris County, our DWI attorneys knows how the State of Texas will attempt to prosecute you on your DWI charge. This knowledge of Texas law is essential as it allows our criminal defense firm to protect your rights and build a strong defense to use in fighting your DWI charge. All our of our DWI defense attorneys are former DWI prosecutors who have handled many different intoxicated driving cases and helped those accused of crimes clear their names. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and determine whether it’s possible to reduce your charges or win a dismissal.
SUPERIOR LEGAL KNOWLEDGE IN DWI EVIDENCE
As former prosecutors and experienced professional criminal defense attorneys, the DWI lawyers in our office provide practical knowledge and experience in every aspect of a DWI charge, from having expertise in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to knowing exactly how the State plans to introduce the breath and blood tests into trial. We know how to negotiate with prosecutors and know what your legal options are. Partner Colin McLaughlin possesses a board certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has personal experience working for the highest criminal court in the State of Texas – the Court of Criminal Appeals. This practical expertise and preparation will make all the difference in your intoxicated driving case. Once called upon, our lawyers will identify and make use of any and all evidence to prove your case. We’ll also communicate with you every step of the way, so that you always know the status of your case.
“PROTECTING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS”
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be search, and the persons or things to be seized.
– 4TH AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
FIGHTING YOUR DWI
OUR LEGAL EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
If you have been arrested for a DWI, DUI, or related alleged crimes in Tarrant County, then you need a Fort Worth DWI attorney who has the practical knowledge, dedication, and trial experience to give you the best representation and DWI defense possible. All of the lawyers in our office are former DWI prosecutors with over 100 combined jury trials specifically related to DWI offenses and know how to communicate with and take care of their clients.
Our Legal Team:
Partner and lead DWI attorney Lindsay Truly is a former Assistant District Attorney (DWI prosecutor) in Tarrant County, Texas. She has tried over 50 DWI jury trials and has handled thousands of DWI-related offenses as a prosecutor and in private practice. She also has extensive experience providing legal service and has helped in a variety of DWI-related matters, including ALR hearings and helping clients obtain an occupational driver’s license so that they might continue to operate a motor vehicle. Lindsay was named a Top Attorney in 2020 by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West Magazine. She was also named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020 and 2021 by Thomson Reuters.
DWI attorney and managing partner Bryan Hoeller is a former Assistant District Attorney (prosecutor) in both the Tarrant and Dallas County District Attorney’s Offices. He spent over 5 years evaluating and prosecuting DWI and DWI related offenses and now brings that experience and service to aid those accused of a DWI offense. He was named a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine and a Super Lawyers Rising Star by Thomson Reuters.
DWI lawyer Dustin Trammel is also a former Assistant District Attorney (DWI prosecutor) in Tarrant County. He has tried over 30 jury trials and is a veteran providing service in the United States Army. He was named a Top Attorney in 2020 by Fort Worth Magazine.
Our team of lawyers at Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC has tried over 100 DWI and DWI-related cases, including jury trials for DWI, DWI-Misdemeanor Repetition (DWI-2nd), DWI-Felony Repetition (DWI-3rd), and DWI w/ Child. In addition to extensive trial experience, our team has also attended numerous DWI related training seminars, including Intoxication Manslaughter Trial Skills School, classes on gas chromatography and the Intoxilyzer 5000 breath test instrument, and DWI case law updates. This means that our legal team works hard to be educated on all laws and procedural techniques that could win the dismissal of your charge. One of our lawyers has also had DWI articles published while he was a prosecutor at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.
OUR LEGAL STRATEGY & APPROACH TO DWI DEFENSE CASES
Our lawyers and legal consultants take a multi-step approach to DWI defense so that you keep your rights and don’t get convicted for a driving while intoxicated offense. This approach includes analyzing each part of your case from the moment you were pulled over in your vehicle and arrested and then formulating the best strategy for the legal defense against the alleged crimes you’ve been charged with. Here is an idea of what our approach looks like and several of the questions our legal consultants ask when analyzing your case and any potential consequences you might face:
Step 1 – Did the officers violate the U.S. Constitution and/or the laws of the State of Texas during your DWI arrest?
Did the DWI officer have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to pull you over in your vehicle or make contact with you?
Was the stop, search of your vehicle, or DWI investigation illegal under the U.S. Constitution?
Is there a suppression issue in your case that would throw out the DWI arrest, breath, and/or blood test?
Was the DIC-24 Statutory Warnings properly communicated or was your consent to give blood or breath coerced, therefore making the search illegal under the U.S. Constitution?
If there was a search warrant to get your breath/blood, did the search warrant meet the requirements set out under Chapter 18 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure?
Step 2 – Were all the tests performed by police done correctly?
Did the police officer follow the proper NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) guidelines and police procedures when conducting his or her DWI investigation?
Is there a reason why the DWI Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST’s) should not have been administered to you due to a previous injury, medical issue, or accident?
Did the officer administer either the HGN, Walk and Turn, or the One Leg Stand test correctly?
If breath or blood was drawn, were the law enforcement forensic tests conducted according to their respective forensic guidelines?
Step 3- Can the State of Texas PROVE the case beyond a reasonable doubt?
To make a DWI arrest, all the officer needs to establish is “probable cause” for the offense. “Probable cause” is a standard that is less than 50% certainty and one of the lowest burdens of proof in any type of law. On the other hand, the standard of proof the court will require at a criminal defense trial is “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.” The “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” standard is the highest individual burden is any area of law and is a much higher burden of proof than “probable cause.” This requires our lawyers to look at the facts of the case to determine if the State of Texas can meet this high burden. This is what your DWI lawyer will look at when they investigate the accusation against you:
What are the driving facts? Bad driving? Good driving, but pulled over in your vehicle for a technical violation (no front license plate)? Accident?
How do you “look” on video? Good Balance? Clear speech? Nervous? How did you perform on the tests and what was the outcome? Refusal to submit to any of the sobriety tests? Any aggravating circumstances when you were arrested or questioned?
Any admissions of crimes or offense committed when questioned? How much did you admit drinking to the police? Did you admit that you were intoxicated? Under what circumstance? Deny drinking or doing drugs?
Any witnesses? What is their history? Any credibility issues? Any inconsistencies in their stories when questioned?
If your blood or breath alcohol concentration tested over the legal limit, can the State of Texas prove your alcohol concentration was over at the time you were driving (we are looking at retrograde extrapolation, uncertainty of measure that is built in with the tests, and error rates)?
Finally, when choosing the right law firm for assistance with your DWI defense, make sure to ask about the firm’s experience and outcomes on the cases they handle. This can be the difference between winning a dismissal of charges and getting convicted and fined. It’s important to remember that each case is unique and we cannot guarantee a particular result on a case. The results our lawyers achieve vary depending on the facts and information involved in each particular case and the punishable offense involved. Nevertheless, our recent success shows what our law firm is capable of achieving for our clients on a DWI. Whether it’s a reduction, a not guilty verdict, a minimal sentence, or probate to community supervision, our goal is to provide the best outcome possible for your case. You don’t want to unnecessarily lose your rights, face legal penalties, get fined, or deal with a license suspension for years to come.
Tarrant County DWI Repetition (2021) – Offense dismissed due to lack of probable cause for the initial traffic stop (will be eligible to be expunged).
Tarrant County DWI (2021) – DWI – Charge dismissed due to State unable to prove intoxication (will be eligible to be expunged).
Tarrant County DWI (2021) – DWI – Charge dismissed due to lack of probable cause for the initial traffic stop (will be eligible to be expunged).
Tarrant County DWI (2021) – DWI – Charge dismissed due to an illegal stop (will be eligible to be expunged).
Tarrant County DWI (2021) – DWI offense reduced to an Obstruction due to issue with proving “intoxication” at trial.
Tarrant County DWI (2020) – DWI -Open Container (with accident and 0.09 BAC) – reduced to an Obstruction (18 months Deferred).
Tarrant County DWI (2020) – DWI offense reduced to an Obstruction (12 months Deferred) due to issue with proving “intoxication” at trial.
Tarrant County DWI (2020) – DWI offense reduced to an Obstruction (14 months Deferred) due to issues with proving “operation” at trial.
Tarrant County DWI Repetition (2020): Reduced to an Obstruction – Client received Deferred Adjudication (Eligible to be Dismissed).
Tarrant County DWI (2020): Case Dismissed after presenting evidence & legal issues to the State of Texas.
Tarrant County DWI (2019): Jury Trial – Jury found our Client NOT GUILTY of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). No penalties assessed.
Tarrant County DWI & UCW (Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon)(2019). Both cases were dismissed after being set on the trial docket.
Johnson County DWI (2019): Dismissal of case after presenting evidence of an insufficient legal basis for the stop.
Tarrant County DWI (2018). Negative Finding at ALR Hearing (License not suspended) due to issues with the legality of the traffic stop.
Tarrant County Felony DWI (2018): Felony DWI offense reduced to misdemeanor. Client was a Military Veteran and took a very proactive approach to the case and getting the necessary treatment.
Tarrant County DWI-Rep Dismissed (2018): DWI > 0.15 dismissed due to a technical legal problem (Statute of Limitations).
Tarrant County DWI Dismissed (2018): Defendant was accepted and completed the Veteran’s Court program. No penalties assessed.
Tarrant County DWI (2018): Client was charged with DWI > 0.15 (B.A.C. over a 0.25). Result was a 1 day time served offer and minimum fine.
Johnson County DWI (2018): Negative Finding at ALR Hearing (License not suspended). DWI Dismissed.
Wise County Felony DWI Repetition (2018): DWI charged rejected by the DA’s office for insufficient evidence of DWI operation by Client.
Parker County DWI > 0.15 (2018): DWI > 0.15 reduced to an obstruction.
DWI NON-DISCLOSURES (TEXAS STATE LAW CHANGED IN 2017 & 2019)
Any time you are arrested for a DWI, that arrest goes on your personal “record” for a background check (It gets reported to the TCIC and NCIC, the Texas and National Crime Information Center). For first-time DWI offenders, dependent on whether they meet certain criteria (no accident, alcohol concentration below a 0.15, no criminal history, for example), they may be able to get their DWI arrest sealed (non-disclosed) from public view. Texas law will provide for the possibility of a non-disclosure when cases involve the following: 1.) DWI convictions (Law changed in 2017 to allow for certain low level DWI convictions to be eligible for a non-disclosure), or 2. DWI Deferred Adjudication that results in a Dismissal (Law changed on September 1, 2019 to allow for deferred adjudication on certain first time DWI arrests). Get more information about DWI Non-Disclosures.
DWI OFFENSES WE OFFER CRIMINAL DEFENSE:
DWI
BWI (BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED)
DWI WITH BAC > 0.15
DWI-MISDEMEANOR REPETITION
DWI-FELONY REPETITION
DWI WITH CHILD PASSENGER
INTOXICATION ASSAULT
INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER
DWI RELATED ISSUES OUR FIRM HANDLES:
DWI PLEA BARGAINS
DUI & DWI MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS
DWI TRIALS (JURY OR JUDGE)
ALR HEARINGS
OCCUPATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSES
HELP WITH DWI CONDITIONS (INTERLOCK, REQUIRED CLASSES)
To help give our clients the best possible defense, our office has experience in the following DWI law enforcement forensic testing:
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST’s): HGN (Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand
Portable Breath Testing (PBT)
Intoxilyzer 5000 and the science behind the breath testing instrument
Blood Toxicology & Gas Chromatography
Accident Reconstruction
DON’T LOSE YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE
If you have been arrested for DWI, then you are likely facing a driver’s license suspension by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In order to try and save your license, it’s important you request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing from DPS within 15 days from the date of your DWI arrest (thereno exceptions). This hearing will give you an opportunity to avoid a driver’s license suspension. It will also give our office an opportunity to cross examine the arresting officer before your criminal case goes to court.
In the event your driver’s license gets suspended, our DWI lawyer can help you apply for an occupational driver’s license that will allow you to continue to drive.
FORT WORTH DWI DEFENSE BLOG
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT OUR DWI LAW BLOG:
DWI penalties in Texas can be harsh, and the fines devastating. This is especially true for second DWI cases. If you are facing a DWI in Texas 2nd offense, it’s important to tread carefully. You could end up in jail for months — with no driver’s license for years. And if there are complicating factors that add to the...
Joe is sitting at home on Saturday afternoon; he just returned from making a beer run. His game plan is to stay home and watch a football game. The game is deep into the first half, and Joe gets a call from his boss. Joe is a truck driver and his boss told him that...
For people under the age of twenty-one years, there are valid defenses for driving while intoxicated. However, “I only had a couple of beers”, “I only blew a .03 on the breath test”, “my dad always has a couple of beers and then goes driving’, or the famous “everybody does it” excuses will not help...
Set up a consultation today with one of our experienced criminal defense or DWI attorneys on a new pending charge. We have offices in Fort Worth and Colleyville, Texas.
CALL TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AT 817-334-7900 OR MESSAGE US NOW
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FORT WORTH OFFICE
HOELLER MCLAUGHLIN PLLC MALLICK TOWER 101 SUMMIT AVENUE, SUITE 101 FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102