Richmond Drunk Driving Attorneys

It’s Hard to Beat a DWI Charge in Texas

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, also known as driving while intoxicated (DWI), is harshly prosecuted in the State of Texas. In some situations, it can be very difficult to keep these offenses from being charged as a felony. This is why having a strong legal advocate on your side is necessary after you’ve been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. At The Law Office of Larry P. McDougal, we do not take a standard approach to DWI defense. Instead, our Richmond DWI lawyers take a close look at the facts of your situation to see what there is to work with and build a strong defense based on your unique circumstances.

With more than 37 years of criminal defense experience, attorneys Larry P. McDougal Sr. and Larry P. McDougal Jr. protect the rights and interests of those arrested on suspicion of DWI in Fort Bend County. For the advice you need about your criminal charges, driver’s license considerations, and other complications of a drunk driving arrest, speak with our Richmond DWI attorney today.

Facing charges for DWI? Call us at (281) 823-9377 to arrange your free, confidential consultation.

Skilled & Vigorous DWI Defense

Larry McDougal Sr. brings unique credentials to your case. He is a former police officer and deputy sheriff who understands the protocol for stopping drivers suspected of driving while intoxicated. He is also a former prosecutor and municipal court judge. For over two decades, he has practiced exclusively in criminal law, drawing on his law enforcement background to advocate effectively for clients in and out of court.

Our firm handles all types of drunk driving cases, including:

• First-time DWI
• Repeat DWI
• Refusal of the breath test
• DUI minor (underage drinking and driving)
• DWI with aggravating factors such as a child in the car
• DWI accidents resulting in injury or death

Defense Solutions

In some cases, our Richmond DWI lawyers can challenge the traffic stop as unsupported by reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing or challenge the arrest for lack of probable cause. More often, we’ll use the evidence developed in your administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing to spot inconsistencies between different versions of the arresting officer’s story.

We can sometimes also use the arresting officer’s video to disprove the details of a field sobriety test or observational report. These approaches together can expand a limited range for plea negotiations or deferred adjudication leading to eventual dismissal.

Felony DWI in Texas

You can be charged with felony DUI/DWI based on any of the following, and more:

• It is a repeat offense
• A serious or fatal accident occurred
• A minor child was in the car at the time of the traffic stop

The Law Office of Larry P. McDougal can advise you about the best ways to protect yourself from the serious risks of a conviction. Our trial defense experience can help you before a jury, but it often makes the best sense, particularly with repeat DWI and felony level charges, to use the leverage developed through sound trial preparation to your advantage in plea negotiations.

Whether your DWI charge is a felony or a misdemeanor, the choice between a plea offer and a trial defense is always yours to make. At the same time, you are entitled to expect your DWI lawyer in Richmond to provide you with sound advice while working toward improving the quality of your choices.

What to Do Immediately After a DWI Arrest in Texas

Generally speaking, you should always fight DWI charges in Texas, even if the evidence seems stacked against you and you are willing to admit that you made a huge mistake. That’s because the consequences of DWI convictions in Texas are extremely severe.

You face jail time, hefty fines, license suspension and a permanent criminal record. You might also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, and your car insurance rates could skyrocket.

It’s not easy to defeat a DWI charge in Texas, and in some cases, it can be difficult to avoid felony charges. However, by working with an experienced DWI lawyer, the opportunity for a favorable plea agreement or eventual dismissal increases dramatically.

With more than 20 years of experience, Richmond DWI lawyer Larry McDougal knows how to examine your traffic stop and arrest to determine if there are any holes in the prosecution’s case. He also knows how to provide you with sound advice so you are prepared to make the right decisions in your case.

When to Call a Richmond DWI Lawyer

It’s important to call an attorney as soon as possible after a DWI arrest. In fact, you must request a administrative license revocation (ALR) hearing within 15 days of your DWI arrest in order to challenge your license suspension.

First-time offenders who refuse a breath or blood test face a license suspension 180 days or more. Second-time offenders face a license suspension of up to a year, or an automatic one year if breath or blood testing was refused. Therefore, if you want to keep your license, you must act quickly.

Talk to an experienced Richmond DWI attorney in your area for more information on the potential consequences that you face and how to reduce the negative impact a DWI conviction could have on your life.

Contact The Law Office of Larry P. McDougal

Worried about the impact of a suspended license? Concerned that a DUI minor charge may jeopardize your child’s future? To learn how you can benefit from our attorneys’ skill and experience, contact our firm online to arrange a free consultation with our Richmond DWI lawyers.

Arrested for DWI? Do not delay – get a strong legal advocate on your side by calling (281) 823-9377 today.