BEST DWI LAWYER IN SAN ANTONIO 

Driving While Intoxicated is a serious charge. If you are facing a DWI in San Antonio, even as a first offense, the stakes are high. DWI charges impact driving privileges, employment, and your ability to travel. DWI is a criminal misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of one year in jail.

Outcomes matter when liberty and livelihood are on the line. You can’t win if you don’t fight, and you cannot fight alone.

Trey Porter is a dynamic advocate, nationally recognized for his work in Criminal Defense. Voted by his peers as a best lawyer in the field of Criminal and DWI Defense every year since 2015, Mr. Porter is recognized as a Texas SuperLawyer, and distinguished as a Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Porter holds a Superb rating from AVVO, where attorneys are rated based on skillful litigation, client satisfaction, peer endorsements, and positive results. Learn more.

• Do I need a lawyer for a DWI in Texas?You need a DWI lawyer to protect your rights. Having the best legal representation can yield the best results in a criminal case. Experienced advocates are the foundation of a powerful defense. Learn more.
  
  

• How many lawyers are there in San Antonio?There are thousands of attorneys in San Antonio. Few San Antonio lawyers focus on Criminal Defense matters, and even fewer focus on intoxication charges like DUI, DWI, DWI .15+ and DWI Open Container. Learn more.
  
  
  
  Attorney Trey Porter is a nationally recognized advocate, distinguished as one of the Three Best Rated DWI/DUI lawyers in San Antonio. Learn more. 

WHAT ARE CONSEQUENCES OF A DWI IN SAN ANTONIO?

The penalties for DWI in Texas are severe, and San Antonio is no different. The Bexar County District Attorney seeks a conviction in every case, and does not dismiss charges for first-time offenders. Everyone facing a DWI charge is facing jail time. 

• Can you get your first DWI in San Antonio dismissed?DWI charges can be dismissed by challenging the State’s evidence. DWI arrests are warrantless arrests. Officers must establish reasonable suspicion and probable cause in every case, every time, without exception. Learn more.
• What are Texas DWI Penalties?Texas DWI penalties are harsh. First-time offenders with no criminal history face up to 1 year in jail, a $6,000.00 fine, court costs, a Texas Driver’s License suspension, and a permanent criminal conviction. Aggravating factors increase fine amounts and periods of incarceration. Learn more.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER FIRST DWI ARREST IN SAN ANTONIO?

After being arrested for DWI in Bexar County, everyone is eventually taken to the Bexar County Magistrate office in San Antonio for processing and an eventual appearance before a magistrate judge. The magistrate judge will set a bond amount and other conditions of release they deem fit.

This process is slow, impractical, and frustrating. After release, defendants are provided with a court date and information about property return. In San Antonio, it often takes 8-10 months from jail release before a DWI case is resolved.

• What to expect after a first-time arrest for DWI in Bexar County?Delay. The process for resolving a first-time San Antonio DWI is long. However, deadlines begin immediately. There are only 15 days to contest the automatic driver’s license suspension. The contest is important, and should not be missed. Learn more.
  
  The first court date is next, typically 30 days after arrest. This setting will not provide resolution, but will require time and participation. Missing this court date will result in additional criminal charges. It is important to hire counsel ahead of these early dates and deadlines. Learn more.

• Can you drink on DWI bond in Bexar County?You cannot drink while on bond for DWI. Bexar County judges prohibit drinking while on bond for DWI, even for defendants over 21 years old. This pretrial condition can be checked through drug testing during the pendency of a case. 

• How long do they have to charge you with a DUI?The statute of limitations for DUI in Texas is two years.

• How long does a DWI case take in San Antonio?DWI cases take 8-10 months, on average, before a resolution is reached. There is no time limit imposed by law for how soon a case must be resolved. 

HOW DO I GET MY LICENSE BACK AFTER A DWI IN SAN ANTONIO?

Driving privileges are subject to suspension after a DWI charge, but they are not immediately suspended. A replacement driver’s license can be requested from the Texas Department of Public Safety online. Getting your license card back does not prevent the forthcoming suspension, and it does not serve as a request for an administrative hearing. 

• Do you lose your license for first DWI in Bexar County?Driving privileges are suspended after an arrest for DWI in San Antonio. The suspension does not come from a Bexar county judge, however. Texas DPS administratively enters the suspension.
  
  

• How long is your license suspended for a DWI in San Antonio?Driving privileges are suspended for 90 – 180 days after an arrest for DWI. Commercially licensed drivers face significantly longer periods of suspension.
  
  

• Can you drive with a suspended license in Bexar county?You cannot legally drive with a suspended license in Texas. Driving with a suspended license while a DWI is pending in San Antonio can result in bond revocation and additional criminal charges.
  
  
  
  An Occupational License is the only way to legally drive during a period of suspension in Texas. Learn more. 

HOW LIKELY IS JAIL TIME FOR FIRST SAN ANTONIO DWI? 

Jail time is an absolute possibility for first-time DWI offenders. The range of incarceration faced depends on a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). It is either a maximum of 6 or 12 months. 

• What is the penalty for first-time DWI in Bexar County?A first-time DWI charge in San Antonio is a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $3,000.00, and the maximum jail sentence is 6 months. A conviction for this offense is permanent, and results in a driver license suspension.

  DWI charges can be enhanced by certain factors. These enhancements result in harsher penalties, including longer terms of incarceration, thousands of dollars in fines, and the loss of basic constitutional rights.

• What is the punishment for the first DWI in San Antonio?Punishment for a first DWI is either probation or jail time. There is no minimum probation period. The maximum period of probation for DWI 1st is 24 months. There is no minimum period of jail time, and 12 months is the maximum.
  
  
  
  The punishment a person receives is largely impacted by the representation they receive. A powerful defense can make the difference between a dismissal and a conviction, or probation instead of jail time. Learn more.

• Is the first DWI a felony in San Antonio?A first-time DWI charge in Bexar county is a Class B misdemeanor. However, aggravating factors like serious bodily injury or the presence of a child passenger under 15 years old can result in felony charges. Learn more.

WHAT ARE PENALTIES FOR DWI IN SAN ANTONIO?

In addition to a permanent criminal conviction and jail time, DWI can negatively affect a person’s right to concealed carry of a handgun, travel outside of Bexar county, and driving privileges, especially those of commercial drivers, can be heavily impacted by DWI charges. Learn more.

• What are the penalties for a Bexar County misdemeanor DWI?All first-time DWI charges in San Antonio are Class B misdemeanors, though they can be enhanced by certain factors. DWI first-time offenders face jail time, permanent criminal convictions, thousands of dollars in fines, and a driver license suspension.
  
  

• What are the penalties for Class B DWI charge in San Antonio?DWI with a BAC below .15 is a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $3,000.00, and the maximum jail sentence is 6 months. A conviction for this offense is permanent, and results in a driver license suspension.

• What are the penalties for Class A DWI charge in San Antonio?The maximum fine is $6,000.00, and the maximum jail sentence is 12 months. A conviction for this offense is permanent, and results in a driver license suspension. Learn more.

• What are the penalties for DWI .15+ charge in San Antonio?DWI with a BAC of .15 or higher is a Class A misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $6,000.00, and the maximum jail sentence is 12 months. A conviction for this offense is permanent, and results in a driver license suspension.

• What are the penalties for DWI with Open Container in San Antonio?DWI with an Open Container is a Class A or B misdemeanor, depending on the BAC, falling into the same punishment ranges as set forth above. However, a person convicted of this offense faces a minimum of 6 days in jail because of the Open Container enhancement. Learn more.

• What are the penalties for DWI with Child Passenger in Bexar County?DWI with a Child Passenger is a State Jail Felony. The maximum fine is $10,000.00, and the maximum period of confinement is 24 months in a State Jail Facility. A conviction for this offense is permanent, and results in a driver license suspension as well other serious, collateral consequences associated with being a convicted felon.

• What are the penalties for San Antonio DUI Charges?A first-time DUI charge in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $500.00. A conviction for this offense is permanent and results in a driver’s license suspension. Defendants also face court-ordered drug and alcohol awareness classes, as well as community service, and driving safety courses. Learn more.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET 2nd DWI IN SAN ANTONIO?

Everyone released on bond for DWI 2nd in Bexar county is required to install the ignition interlock device in all vehicles they drive. This is expensive and inconvenient. Additionally, jail time is a requirement of punishment for DWI 2nd – even if probation is granted. Learn more.

• How much does a second DUI cost?The maximum fine for a DWI 2nd offense in San Antonio is $6,000.00. Court costs, probation, and pretrial fees can add thousands of more dollars to the total amount a person could be required by law to pay for a DWI 2nd in Bexar county.
• What happens if you get 3 DWI in San Antonio?After two DWI convictions, the third charge is a felony charge. Even if the first two convictions were outside of Bexar county, or even outside of Texas, the third charge is a felony charge with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and permanent convicted felon status. Learn more.
• Can you get a DWI off your record in San Antonio?DWI charges and convictions can be sealed or deleted from a person’s record through the process of nondisclosure and expunction. There are strict qualifications that must be met in order to be eligible for these record-clearing options. Learn more.
  
  

• How long does a DWI stay on your record?A Bexar county DWI charge stays on the record forever, even if there was no conviction. A conviction for DWI in San Antonio or elsewhere in Texas also becomes part of a person’s permanent criminal record. Learn more.

DWI vs DUI IN SAN ANTONIO

DUI is a Class C misdemeanor in San Antonio and only applies to minors under 21. Minors are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with any detectable alcohol in their system, making the legal limit for a DUI charge 0.0. Learn more.

• Can you avoid jail time for first DUI in Bexar county?You can avoid jail for DUI in San Antonio. DUI is a Class C misdemeanor. Aside from the initial arrest, jail is not legally available as a punishment.
  
  

• How much is a DUI in San Antonio, Texas?The cost to fight a DUI charge in San Antonio is thousands of dollars at minimum. Comparatively, the overall cost of a DUI conviction cannot be quantified. DUI is a criminal offense that can wreck college admission and job opportunities. Learn more.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET A DUI FOR THE FIRST-TIME IN SAN ANTONIO?

After a first DUI charge in Bexar county, a court date will be generated. Ahead of the court setting, the most important step to take is retaining experienced counsel. When your education and future are on the line, it is critical to build a powerful defense and start working toward a dismissal. Learn more.

• Does a DUI show up on a background check in Texas?DUI charges will show up on background checks forever in Texas. If convicted, a DUI can  never be expunged or sealed through nondisclosure. DUI convictions harm college and financial aid applications and negatively impact career opportunities. It’s critical to avoid a final conviction and protect your future at all costs. Learn more.

• Can San Antonio DUI charges be dismissed?DUI and DWI charges can be dismissed in San Antonio. Under no circumstances should a minor plead guilty to DUI in Bexar county. Every case has defenses and it is critical to do everything possible to protect your rights and preserve your future. Dismissal is the first step towards deleting the entire incident through expunction. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR JAIL RELEASE AFTER DWI ARREST IN BEXAR COUNTY?

Jail release in San Antonio can take up to, and sometimes longer than, 24 hours. It’s a brutal, frustrating process. Updated information for people arrested in Bexar county can be found on the Bexar County Central Magistrate website.

• How much is a bond for a DWI in San Antonio?Bail for first-time DWI charges in Texas rarely exceeds $5,000.00. This is the first of many costs associated with the Texas DWI process. Judges have total discretion over bond amounts. Learn more.
  
  

• What is the phone number for the Bexar county jail?The phone number for the Bexar County Jail is (210) 335-6010.
  
  

• How do I find out if someone is in jail in Bexar county?To search for recent San Antonio DWI arrests online, check the Bexar County Central Magistrate website. 

HOW MUCH DOES A FIRST-TIME DWI COST IN SAN ANTONIO?

Being charged with DWI is expensive. Being convicted can be financially devastating. It’s impossible to put a price on what it’s worth to avoid incarceration and the potential of a permanent criminal conviction.

• How much does a DWI Cost?The maximum fine for a first or second DWI offense in Texas is $6,000.00. The maximum fine for a Felony DWI is $10,000.00. An effective DWI lawyer can fight for dismissal and work to mitigate consequences, saving time and money, potentially preserving your career and reputation. Learn more.
  
  

• How much does a good DWI lawyer cost in San Antonio?Fighting a DWI costs thousands of dollars. In San Antonio, even first-time offenders can face up to 365 days in jail. A powerful defense can be expensive, but well worth it to avoid the severe penalties, and potentially lifelong consequences of a criminal conviction. Learn more.

• How much are Bexar county court fees for DWI?Court fees for a DWI in San Antonio are less than $500.00. The fines and potential cost of a criminal conviction far outweigh the cost of court. Learn more. 

HOW CAN I GET OUT OF A DWI IN SAN ANTONIO?

To get out of a DWI charge in Bexar county, you must assert and protect your constitutional rights. You must utilize due process to confront all witnesses and challenge all evidence. This means disputing reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and all forensic evidence. You can’t win if you don’t fight. Learn more.

• How to get a DWI dismissed in San Antonio?Challenging evidence is the most effective way to dismiss a San Antonio DWI charge, whether it’s a DWI first-offense, DWI 2nd, or even a felony DWI 3rd or more. DWI arrests are warrantless arrests, therefore everything must be challenged. If a judge suppresses evidence, the State cannot use it to prosecute.
• What are the chances of DWI dismissal in Bexar County?DWI charges are dismissed everyday in Bexar county courtrooms. Charges are not dismissed through goodwill or luck, rather they are dismissed because a powerful defense forced the State prosecutors to dismiss the charge. Challenging evidence is a critical part of obtaining a dismissal. Learn more.