What To Do After Being Arrested for Drinking and Driving

The moments after being arrested for DWI in Texas can be some of the most tense, frantic, and uneasy of a person’s life. After all, no one plans on being pulled over by police and subjected to intense questioning and a field sobriety test and then taken into jail.

Chances are, the suspect will not be able to talk his or her way out of the situation as police and sheriffs pride themselves on their integrity and enforcement of the law. However, there are certain steps DWI suspects should take in the hours and days following an arrest to help protect their legal rights and mitigate the situation.

Stay calm after being arrested for DWI

The first thing is to try and stay calm. Anything one says or does after an arrest can be used against them in court if mirandized by police. Becoming emotional or acting verbally abusive to the arresting officer will not help the situation and can play right into the prosecutor’s hands to show the suspect was in fact intoxicated at the time of arrest.

Suspects should be as courteous and polite as possible but not answer any questions which could result in possible self-incrimination. Many times, prosecutors run the idea of a plea deal or reduction in charges by the arresting officer to see what he or she thinks. Being belligerent to someone that could possibly aid one later on is never a good idea. Prosecutors work with the same police on almost a daily basis and this professional relationship can often go a long way.

Immediately contest your license being suspended

Following a DWI arrest, police must inform suspects that their license is suspended and must contest the action in an administrative license revocation hearing. Unless the suspension is contested, the suspect may not be able to drive until the matter is sorted out after the criminal hearing. Suspects only have 15 days from the arrest to submit the necessary paperwork and request a hearing, otherwise the suspension may stand.

Often times, suspects may have their driver’s license modified to allow them to drive for work or attend medical appointments. This is crucial as one of the most devastating effects of a DWI can be losing one’s job because he or she cannot drive to work.

Speak to a Kingwood DWI Lawyer

After being released from jail, you should strongly consider contacting our office to speak with one of our Kingwood DWI Lawyers. Time is often of the essence in these cases as evidence needs to be examined to prepare a strong legal defense. With over 20 years of experience helping people clear their names, Andrew J. Williams knows what it takes to get his clients justice. With a Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law, Andrew Williams serves clients throughout Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, and San Jacinto County.

Andrew Williams, an experienced attorney who can challenge evidence in a DWI case
About the Author: Andrew Williams
I am a criminal defense lawyer with over 20 years experience defending people accused of wrongdoing. I am board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Only ten percent of attorneys in Texas are board certified in their respective field. I practice criminal law exclusively in both state and federal court including appeals of criminal cases.