Don't Let a DWI Ruin Your Life.
Count on Us.
Looking at a DWI Charge in Laredo?
Having trouble sleeping at night over the possible penalties you'll face for your DWI charge? You're not alone.
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or, as it used to be more commonly known, driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal charge that occurs when the driver of a vehicle is pulled over and proven to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher.
Webb County courts don't like to deal with DWI cases and will often treat offenders like they're hardened criminals - even if it's their first time being in trouble. Don't lose any more sleep over what might be - Michael & Associates will fight for you.
DWIs Mean Serious Fines and Possible Time Behind Bars
Many Laredoans are surprised when they find out about The City Under Seven Flags's high count of DWIs. Just because many people go through the system on these charges doesn't mean their penalties are any less severe.
Here are the penalties for DWI convictions in TX:
Your 1st Offense:
- Possible $2000 fine
- Between 3 to 180 days in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to a year
Your 2nd Offense:
- Possible $2000 fine
- Between 1 to 12 months in jail
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to two years
Your 3rd+ Offense:
- Possible $10,000 fine
- Between 2 to 10 years in prison
- Suspension of your driver's license for up to two years
- A felony charge on your criminal record
If you were pulled over with a minor in your car, you will face enhanced charges.
Don't Give Up, Lawyer Up
Not only are you looking at possible criminal penalties, you might be surprised to find out about further financial and social ones. You can be looking at higher insurance rates for driving if you manage to keep your license. You might not even get it back for a long time. Third time offenders might lose their chances of decent employment due to the stigma of hiring convicts.
Don't flush your future down the drain just because you made a mistake so many others have already. Get the best lawyer you possibly can to protect you.
Michael & Associates Is in Your Corner
Our team at Michael & Associates knows what we're doing. We have nearly a decade of experience handling DWI cases and have worked with hundreds of clients to get their charges dropped or cases dismissed. Our record is almost exclusively wins. We have been around the block.
When you choose us for your defense team, you're not just getting a stellar record. You're also getting equally impressive customer service. Our managing partner, Ben Michael, will answer every question, handle every concern, and take care of you throughout every step of the way personally. You won't find another firm in town that handles cases like we do.
Whether this is your first charge or even your fourth, you deserve a strong defense team. Go with Michael & Associates. To get a completely free case review, fill out the contact form on this page.
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
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated
Allegations: Client was caught driving drunk in the afternoon while picking son up from baseball practice.
Result: Charges Reduced
Charges Reduced
Charge: Driving While Intoxicated, 3rd Offense
Allegations: Client refused to take any of the sobriety tests provided by the police.
Result: Case Pleaded Down to Reckless Driving
Case Dismissed
Charge: Driving Under the Influence
Allegations: Client was found passed out in the driver's seat with the key in the ignition, parked in a superstore parking lot.
Result: Case Dismissed
How a DWI Conviction Affects Auto Insurance Rates
In Laredo, the average annual cost of car insurance is $684. For drivers with DWI convictions, the average annual cost of auto insurance is $985, an increase of $301.
Breakdown by Gender
| Without DWI Conviction | $684 | $672 |
| With DWI Conviction | $985 | $968 |
| Increase | $301 | $296 |
Breakdown by Age
| Without DWI Conviction | $984 | $636 | $612 | $546 | $480 | $552 |
| With DWI Conviction | $1,417 | $916 | $881 | $786 | $691 | $795 |
| Increase | $433 | $280 | $269 | $240 | $211 | $243 |
Don't Let a DWI Increase your Insurance Cost
Frequently Asked Questions
About Michael & Associates
Most firms in Webb County follow the formula of more cases means more money. At the end of the day, they're looking after their bottom dollar.
They do this by charging low prices to hire them which lets them attract as many clients as they can. Once they've got their clients, they pass them off to their lawyers - some of whom are fantastic while others are little more than interns. No matter how great they are, though, they can't hold up to the pressure that comes with managing so many cases at once.
We're different than these guys, because Michael & Associates only takes on a select number of clients. We will only take on as many as we can handle while still giving our best effort. This allows us to provide our undivided attention to you. Ben Michael will even give you his personal cell phone number, so you can reach him day or night. He'll answer any questions you have and make sure you feel at ease during these trying times. Try to get that with any of the other firms in town.
Not only will you get better service with us, but the other lawyers only have a lower price tag initially. After the dust has settled on the case, you will save more money with us than the other guys, because you will likely face worse charges with them.
We don't mean to sound overly confident, we just know what we're doing. We've been representing DWI cases in Texas for nearly ten years with an impressive record. Most of our clients either have their charges dropped or, even better, their cases dismissed entirely. You're in great hands with Michael & Associates.
Michael & Associates will take on almost any case in Laredo and Webb County. Whether it's a the most minor misdemeanor level charge or the most serious felony, we'll handle:
- DUI / DWI
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Assault & Battery
- Family Violence
- Domestic Abuse
We unfortunately do not do:
- Traffic Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Civil Law
Driving While Intoxicated in Laredo
The legal limit for driving in Laredo, Webb County, and the state of Texas is at least a 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) level. To be charged with a DWI, you must have at least 0.08% of your blood composed of alcohol.
Different people have different limits. A heavyweight boxer might have a higher tolerance than a featherweight, but it depends on too many factors to assign a set number of drinks of any kind of alcohol. The best option is to find alternatives to driving home if you're drunk or to stay sober if you can't.
In Laredo and Webb County, the penalties depend on what happened when you were arrested and how many previous convictions you have had. Here are some possible consequences:
Your First Conviction:
- You may face up to a $2,000 fine
- You may face up to 180 days in jail upon conviction with three being mandatory
- You may have your driver's license suspended for up to a year
Your Second Conviction:
- You may face up to a $4,000 fine
- You may face up to a year in jail
- You may have your driver's license suspended for up to two years
Your Third and Up Conviction:
- You may face up to a $10,000 fine
- You may face up to ten years in prison
- You may have your driver's license suspended for up to two years
Severe enhanced charges can be applied in some situations, such as driving with a minor in the car at the time of being pulled over. The penalties for such a charge include an additional $10,000 in fines, two years in jail, and another two years without your license.
Don't forget these two important things when being pulled over on suspicion of a DWI. First, you have the right to remain silent to avoid harming your own case. Exercise this right as much as you can. Second, you are likely being recorded by the police, so you should be on your best behavior. Acting irrationally will only harm your cause in court.
One of the most obvious tips for this situation is to listen to the police and pull over the car. Some people have tried to outrun squad cars. The lucky ones only faced worse charges in court while others harmed themselves or others.
Pull over in the safest manner possible at your earliest chance. The officer who pulled you over will get out of their car and walk to your window. They will ask you to provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Let the officer know where they are in the car and then slowly fetch them.
When asked why you were pulled over, never provide a reason. The police are looking for an admission of guilt here to help their chances against you in court. Instead, protect yourself by replying with "no, sir" or "no, ma'am." This will help you in court.
You will be asked to take a breathalyzer test and/or a field sobriety test to determine your level of impairment. If you know you're under the legal limit because you drank very little several hours ago or didn't drink at all, go ahead and take the tests to prove your innocence. If you doubt, even 1%, that you will fail the tests - don't take them. You can politely refuse and wait until you speak to your lawyer.
If you seem obviously drunk, you will be hauled into the police station for further testing. Once there, they might ask you to take a breathalyzer or blood test. These are another set of optional tests - just be aware that refusal might lead to the suspension of your driver's license. Failure will also likely lead to license suspension, so weigh your options before making a decision.
If you have refused everything up until this point, the officer might take the time to get a warrant to compel you to take the tests. At this point, you must legally take the tests.
Whether you fail or barely skim by on the skin of your teeth, your lawyer should be contacted immediately. Do not answer any questions without her or him by your side.
Definitely. It is the best choice to do whether it's your first charge or not. Fighting will likely lead to reduced charges if not an outright dismissal of your case.
Helpful Locations for Laredo Residents
Laredo Courthouse
(956) 794-1680
4610 Maher Ave
Laredo, TX 78041
laredomunicipalcourt.com
Laredo Police Department
(956) 795-2800
4712 Maher Ave
Laredo, TX 78041
laredopd.com
Alcohol Treatment Facility
(956) 728-0440
1205 Hillside Rd Suite B
Laredo, Texas, 78041
aama.org
Department of Motor Vehicles
(956) 728-2301
1901 Bob Bullock Loop
Laredo, TX 78043
dps.texas.gov