Multiple DWI in Texas

A second or third DWI arrest in Texas puts you in a different category with prosecutors. Jail or prison time, long-term license suspension, and steep fines are all on the table, and the state pursues these cases aggressively. Attorney Navid Alband spent five years as a Tarrant County prosecutor before founding his criminal defense practice, and he’s taken over 100 criminal cases to jury trial in the years since. That background gives our firm direct insight into how the state builds repeat-DWI cases, and we use it to challenge evidence and anticipate prosecution strategy on your behalf. If you’re facing a second or third DWI offense, contact us as early as possible. The more time we have, the more options we have to challenge evidence, protect your driving privileges, and seek the best possible outcome.

Attorney Alband holds a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo and is recognized on The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers list and Top 40 Under 40 list. Our firm handles repeat DWI cases throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County, and we build individualized defense strategies for each client rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

If you’ve been charged with a second or third DWI in Fort Worth, don’t wait to get qualified defense counsel in your corner. Call us at (817) 997-4366 to schedule a free consultation.

How We Defend Repeat DWI Charges in Fort Worth

Repeat DWI cases in Tarrant County are tried at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. Attorney Alband has a regular presence there and long-standing professional relationships built over years of practice. His five years as a Tarrant County prosecutor give him a working knowledge of how the state structures its cases, and he applies that insight directly to how we challenge evidence in your case.

Defense strategies in repeat DWI cases may include challenging the legality of the initial traffic stop, disputing the accuracy or administration of breathalyzer or blood tests, contesting field sobriety test procedures, and filing motions to suppress evidence obtained in violation of your constitutional rights. In enhancement cases, prosecutors must prove prior DWI convictions beyond a reasonable doubt. Successfully challenging a prior conviction, including an out-of-state conviction, may significantly reduce the charge level and the penalty range you’re facing.

One deadline applies to every DWI arrest in Texas: you have 15 calendar days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Missing that deadline can result in automatic license suspension. Contact our firm immediately after an arrest so we can move to protect your driving privileges from the start.

Penalties for Second DWI in Texas

A second DWI in Texas is charged as a Class A misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor classification under state law. One detail that catches many people off guard: Texas has no lookback period for DWI offenses. Under Texas Penal Code § 49.09, a prior conviction from any point in your driving history counts as a prior first offense, including convictions from decades ago or from other states. Time isn’t your ally when it comes to enhancement.

Penalties for a second DWI conviction include:

• Fines: Up to $4,000
• Incarceration: 30 days to 1 year in county jail
• Driver’s License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
• Community Service: 80 to 200 hours
• Ignition Interlock Device: Required as a condition of bond for a second offense and as a mandatory condition of probation upon conviction
• Alcohol Education Program: The court may order completion of an alcohol education or intervention program

Penalties for Third DWI in Texas

A third DWI in Texas is automatically charged as a third-degree felony under Texas Penal Code § 49.09, regardless of how much time has passed between offenses. If you have a prior state prison sentence, the charge may be enhanced to a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in prison. Beyond the sentence itself, a felony DWI conviction may carry consequences that follow you for life.

Penalties for a third DWI conviction include:

• Fines: Up to $10,000
• Incarceration: 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (state prison)
• Driver’s License Suspension: 180 days to 2 years
• Community Service: 160 to 600 hours
• Ignition Interlock Device: Required as a condition of bond and any provisional license
• Alcohol Treatment Program: Mandatory completion of an alcohol treatment or intervention program

The collateral consequences may extend well beyond the courtroom. A felony DWI conviction can create a permanent criminal record that appears on background checks, affect your right to possess firearms, and result in the suspension or loss of professional licenses, including nursing, teaching, real estate, and commercial driver’s licenses. A third DWI conviction in Texas cannot be expunged.

Free Consultation for 2nd DUI Attorney in Fort Worth

The Alband Law Firm is dedicated to providing clients in Fort Worth with aggressive, effective defense against all types of DWI charges. We build detailed defenses that expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and seek reduced charges and penalties for our clients whenever the facts and law allow.