A Driving While Intoxicated charge may result in negative consequences for licensing and careers. A DWI lawyer at the Law Office of David Reed is able to offer legal representation for DWI cases. Here is more information about DWI consequences for Texas nurses and CDL holders:
DWI Legal Penalties
The blood alcohol content level in Texas is 0.08, which can be caused by having three drinks in one or two hours. Even if an individual is under the legal limit, they can be arrested if there is evidence of impairment through behavior or field sobriety tests. Texas law allows an individual to be arrested for physical control of the vehicle, even if the car is not moving; this may include sleeping in the car with access to keys.
After an arrest, you have 15 days to schedule an administrative driver’s license hearing; not scheduling the meeting results in an automatic license suspension. First offense DWIs are Class B misdemeanors, which could escalate to Class A depending on the alcohol blood content. First offense penalties include fines up to $2,000 and jail time between 72 hours and 180 days. This can cause long-term career consequences.
Drivers should gather their arrest paperwork and citation and contact a DWI lawyer as soon as possible. A DWI lawyer who works with DWI arrests reviews your case and looks for appropriate defenses. Our team at The Law Office of David Reed keeps you informed about progress, and we determine whether seeking a plea bargain or a dismissal is best for your case.
DWI Mandatory Reports
A conviction for a DWI becomes part of a permanent criminal record, and this can be accessed during background checks for careers. This also impacts professional certifications and licensing, as the conviction appears in licensing databases. CDL holders and healthcare professionals may have their credentials challenged. Nurses, teachers, and commercial drivers are often legally required to report arrests or convictions to their licensing board, resulting in not being eligible for required licenses in their field. A DWI conviction can cause travel difficulties for positions requiring residency; some countries have entry restrictions for DWI convictions. Our law office is able to help you with long-term career consequences by providing legal support in accurately interpreting and applying DWI laws.
Other DWI penalties can also include a suspension or a revocation of a driver’s license. First-time offenses result in a one-year suspension, while second to third offenses are up to two years. This can make it more difficult to maintain employment. A lawyer helps you petition the court for an Occupational Driver’s License; this allows you to drive for work.
DWI Appeals and Record Sealing
Individuals have the right to appeal convictions, which can lead to the court dismissing or reducing the charges; an appeal provides the argument that mistakes occurred during the original arrest. A DWI lawyer is able to help identify errors at the trial level, specifying legal grounds for the appeal to proceed. These include procedural errors during arrest and evidence that should not have been admitted during the trial. Insufficient evidence is another source for an appeal.
DWI lawyers review the steps of the case from the traffic stop to the sobriety test; this enables them to determine whether your rights were violated during the arrest. The steps of an appeal include filing a notice and submitting a brief with the details of why the conviction should be overturned. The court is then able to review the record.
Criminal records are able to be expunged if you meet the conditions, completely removing the charge from your record. This includes not having any charges filed against you, having the charges dropped or dismissed, being acquitted of charges, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturning your conviction. Having records expunged means that employees will not see arrest records; nurses and CDL holders will be able to qualify for professional licenses. This also protects your privacy, as your arrest records will not be found in public databases.
Other options include having your records sealed. An Order of Nondisclosure can protect an individual’s privacy and career; it seals DWI records from background checks. This helps protect professional reputation. A lawyer will review whether the driver is eligible for this exception.
Contact a DWI Lawyer
Your lawyer works to protect your future after a DWI arrest, and having charges dismissed or erased can help you maintain a career in healthcare or retain your commercial driver’s license. A DWI case might last up to two years, and we will work to expedite the process. The Law Office of David Reed is able to represent you in court. We also have a deep understanding of record sealing and expungement requirements. If you have received a DWI, contact our DWI lawyer today to begin receiving legal representation.