DWI Arrests in Abilene are Costly
Let us step in for you.
Charged with a DWI in Abilene?
Being charged with a DWI can be one of the most stressful things that you go through.
Defined as driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of above 0.08, driving while intoxicated is one of the more common crimes around Abilene.
Unfortunately, the government of Texas and the Travis County court system does not look friendly upon DWI violators. That's why Michael & Associates exists.
A DWI Can Cost You Fines and Land You In Jail
You may think because DWI is so common here in Abilene that the penalties aren't so stiff.
Think again.
Here are the penalties for DWI convictions:
1st Offense:
- Up to a $2000 fine
- Between 3 and 180 days in jail
- Loss of driver's license for up to a year
2nd Offense:
- Up to a $2000 fine
- Between 1 and 12 months in jail
- Loss of driver's license for up to two years
3rd+ Offense:
- Up to a $10,000 fine
- Between 2 and 10 years in prison
- Loss of driver's license for up to two years
- A Felony on your record
And that doesn't even include various enhanced charges, such as driving with a child onboard.
Don't Risk Your Future For One Mistake
In addition to the criminal penalties, a DWI can cause loss of license, make it tougher to find a job, and raise your insurance rates.
It's no laughing matter, and you owe it to yourself to get the best defense possible.
If you've been faced with a DWI, don't go at it alone. Make sure you hire yourself a competent, experienced attorney that will give your case the attention it deserves.
Michael & Associates Has Your Back
We have 10 years of experience fighting DWI cases. In the bulk of those cases we were able to get a sentence reduction, reduced charges, or even an outright dismissal of the case itself.
We limit our caseload to a set number of clients, which allows us to offer you white-glove treatment. That's a full case review, and a sitdown with our managing partner to go over the details of your customized defense strategy.
We see each case as unique and give you full access to the entire team. From the top partners to the evidence specialists, we have a full team to review your case with you and help you understand the process and details of the defense.
At Michael & Associates we fight for you. Set up a free DWI case review and see what a relief it is to have a fighter in your corner, looking out for you.
GET A FREE CASE REVIEW
If you've been charged with a DWI, you have 15 days before you lose your license. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch in a few minutes.
Recent DWI Cases
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Allegations: After being pulled over for weaving in traffic, the client was given a field sobriety exam which they failed. They were taken downtown and booked for DWI.
Result: We got a dismissal after moving to suppress illegal evidence.
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 2nd Offense
Allegations: After being pulled over and refusing both field and breath tests, the client was booked for their second DWI arrest
Result: Plea bargain was reached for reckless driving.
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Allegations: After running a stop sign, the client was taken out of the car and had the car searched. They failed a field sobriety test and got taken to the station where blood was drawn.
Result: Full case dismissal
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Abilene, the average annual cost of car insurance is $624. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $899, an increase of $275.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $648 | $600 |
| With DWI Conviction | $933 | $864 |
| Increase | $285 | $264 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $1,020 | $600 | $516 | $468 | $420 | $504 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,469 | $864 | $743 | $674 | $605 | $726 |
| Increase | $449 | $264 | $227 | $206 | $185 | $222 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
Michael & Associates gives you a couple of things the other firms don't The best outcome you can possibly get and the white-glove treatment.
Other firms are out there, but they are so bloated that they specialize mainly in overpromising and underdelivering. They offer you the moon and stars, but then switch that out at the last minute with a disappearing act.
At Michael and Associates, we treat every case as a unique case. We look at you as family and give the case the same attention we would give to our sister's DWI case.
We give you Ben Michael's cell number and ask that you text him directly if you have a pressing question. Other firms pass you off to the answering service, and you are lucky if they even return that call by the end of the week.
We know that you deserve better service than that, and what to be there by your side. We walk you through the whole process, to reduce the huge amounts of stress you are under, and get the best outcome we can.
Michael & Associates specializes in criminal law and accepts felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, including but not limited to:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
Types of law we don't practice:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Driving While Intoxicated in Abilene
In Abilene, Travis County, and the rest of Texas, any driver caught with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be charged with driving while intoxicated. BAC is a measure of what percent of your blood is made up of alcohol.
The number of drinks that will put you at a BAC of 0.08% depends on a number of factors, including the strength of the drinks, the time passed since consuming, your gender, your weight, and your tolerance.
In Abilene, the penalties vary based on how many offenses you have had.
1st Offense
- As much as a $2,000 fine
- Up to six months in jail, with three mandatory days in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for as long as a year
2nd Offense
- As much as a $4,000 fine
- One month to a year in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for as long astwo years
3rd Offense
- $10,000 fine
- Two to ten years in prison
- Suspension of your driver's license for as long as two years
Additional penalties apply if driving with a child passenger, which include:
- Additional fines up to $10,000
- Up to two years in jail
- Additional 180 days of driver's license suspension
For starters, pull over immediately and safely. Do not attempt to evade the police as you will likely fail to outrun them and will face further charges.
Once the officer approaches your vehicle, be extremely polite and obedient. The officer will first ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Tell the officer where these are located, and slowly move to retrieve these items.
Officers will typically ask if you know why they pulled you over. Simply say "No Sir" or "No Ma'am". Because in court, an officer must have a reason to justify pulling you over. So you don't want to admit to the officer that he or she had a good reason.
You have the right to refuse both a field sobriety test and a preliminary breathalyzer test. If you believe you will fail, it is a good idea to refuse these. Simply state that you are not comfortable doing these, and would like to speak with your attorney before doing so. Always assume you are on video, so be as polite and even-keeled as possible.
You may still be arrested on the grounds of slurred speech, alcohol smell, or bloodshot eyes. Once arrested, you will likely be asked to take a blood or breath test to establish BAC. If you do refuse, you are subject to a license suspension. However, if you fail the test, you are also subject to a license suspension. In either case, a lawyer can help you fight this.
The officer may obtain a warrant to compel you to take the test, but this takes time.
Always remain silent during questioning, and contact an attorney at the first chance you get.
You should never simply plead guilty to a DWI. Let your lawyer handle the plea bargaining process for you, and it will almost always be better for you in the end.
Helpful Locations for Abilene Residents
Abilene Police Department
(325) 673-8331
4565 S 1st St
Abilene, TX 79605
abilenetx.gov
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(325) 673-0180
2102 Amy Lyn Ave
Abilene, TX 79603
180house.com
Department of Motor Vehicles
(325) 695-0988
4649 S 1st St
Abilene, TX 79605
dps.texas.gov