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DWI

San Antonio DWI Lawyer

Drunk driving defense is a very specialized area that requires an expert, not just a general criminal practitioner. The Law Offices of Kevin L. Collins feature the services of DWI attorney Kevin L. Collins. Mr. Collins, a San Antonio DWI lawyer, is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has handled hundreds of DWI cases in Texas, including many successful jury trials.

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) will be treated by Texas Courts as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the circumstances of the DWI case and the prior record of the citizen accused.

Drunk driving or DWI, when a first offense in Texas, is a Class B misdemeanor. The Texas Penal Code reads that “A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.”

Jury trials are guaranteed by the Texas Constitution in Texas DWI trials. DWI convictions are obtainable only if the prosecution can convince all jurors that the Defendant is guilty of driving under the influence beyond a reasonable doubt.

DWI Definitions

The elements that must be proven are the following:

The Defendant, on or about a particular date, was:

  1. Operating a motor vehicle
  2. In a public place (street, highway, parking lot, beach, etc.)
  3. Intoxicated (either or both alcohol and drugs)
  4. In a particular county

The Texas DWI Law then defines the term intoxication in two ways:

  1. Not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of these substances, or any other substance into the body; or
  2. Having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

Types of DWI/DUI Cases

As an expert DWI defense attorney, Kevin Collins has had success with such case types as:

  • Intoxicated Manslaughter
  • Intoxicated Assault
  • Texas Open Container Violations
  • Teenage Drunk Driving
  • Ignition Interlock Violations

Punishment Classification and Ranges

Most persons convicted of a DWI first offense are granted probation. The general length of DWI probation is two years. There are many conditions of DWI probation including Drug/Alcohol Evaluations, Alcohol Education Course, and attendance at a MADD victim impact panel. Additional conditions of probation may be ordered if the case presents unusual facts such as an accident, an extremely high breath alcohol content, or a bad driving record. These conditions include jail time and the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Enhanced penalties apply if it is shown that a person has been previously convicted of DWI. The offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor, DWI-2nd, and the penalties increase accordingly, including potentially one year in county jail. Third and subsequent offenses are felonies, and carry up to a possible 10 years imprisonment.

Texas DWI and Administrative License Suspension

A DWI arrest in Texas creates two cases — the criminal charge and also a civil proceeding against the motorist’s driving privileges. This is called an Administrative License Revocation (ALR).

An ALR proceeding is initiated against a driver arrested for DWI or DUI when he or she refuses to submit to blood or Breathalyzer® testing, or fails a blood or Breathalyzer test.

These proceedings are automatic, and will result in a period of license suspension on the 41st day after the arrest unless a hearing is requested within 15 days of the arrest! Failure to make a timely request will result in a suspension of at least 90 days, and often longer, based on past alcohol and/or drug contacts against the accused driver, and whether the suspension is based on a refusal or a failure.

Mr. Collins, a San Antonio DWI lawyer, requests these hearings for his DWI and DUI clients, and often times can prevail and prevent license suspension. The ALR hearing is also an excellent way to obtain discovery, including police reports and cross-examination of the arresting officer. These evidentiary findings can later play a significant role in defending the criminal DWI case.

Recent interview – in the news

CLICK HERE –>  Second chances’ law could make job hunt easier for low-level offenders

Contact Kevin L. Collins, P.C. in San Antonio, TX

Contact Kevin Collins when you need a DWI attorney.

COVID-19 Notice
We are here to help and support you through these generally challenging times with your specific legal issues. You will be able to reach me or my staff through our main telephone numbers, and of course by email: [email protected]. Phone conferences for existing and potential clients are available, as is the video conference feature through the Zoom app. Zoom may present some privacy challenges so phone conferences are preferred. Please take care of your health by following the measures recommended by the CDC, and by state and local authorities.
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Client Reviews
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    5.0/5.0

    Kevin Collins is an exceptional attorney. Mr. Collins has an outstanding reputation and came highly recommended by multiple attorneys. With the effort and professionalism he and his team dedicated to properly represent me, it is easy to understand wh...

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    M Webb

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    5.0/5.0

    Mr. Collins and his staff did a fantastic job with not only my case, but also putting up with my constant questions. This was my first time every dealing with something like this, so I had no idea what to expect. Mr. Collins always made time to reply...

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    Jordan Petrovich

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    5.0/5.0

    Helped me tremendously at a great price!

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    Krista Hicks

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    5.0/5.0

    Top tier professionalism and extremely knowledgeable of the ins and outs of the legal system. If you need a power house for an attorney, Kevin Collins is your man.

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    Abdallah Abdelaziz

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    5.0/5.0

    If you are facing any criminal charge you want Kevin to be your lawyer. He has a great staff that will keep you informed at every step of the process. Please listen to and follow his advice and you will have the best outcome possible.

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    Christian Oliver

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