Immediate Steps After a DWI Arrest in Fort Worth & Tarrant County
Getting arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, or the surrounding areas can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can protect your rights and your future. Here’s what to do if you or a loved one is facing a DWI charge in North Texas.
1. Stay Calm and Cooperate with Law Enforcement
- Do not resist arrest—this can lead to additional charges.
- Provide identification but avoid answering self-incriminating questions without an attorney present.
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
- Everything you say can and will be used against you in court.
- Politely refuse to answer questions until you have legal representation.
3. Understand Texas’ Implied Consent Law
- Texas law requires drivers to submit to a breath or blood test if arrested for DWI.
- Refusing a test results in automatic license suspension, but an experienced attorney can challenge this in court.
4. Request an ALR Hearing to Save Your License
- If you refuse or fail a breath test, you have only 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to fight the suspension.
- Missing this deadline means your license could be suspended for up to 180 days.
5. Contact a Fort Worth DWI Defense Attorney Immediately
- An experienced DWI attorney in Fort Worth can:
- Challenge the legality of the stop.
- Review breath and blood test accuracy.
- Work to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
- Jones Miyazono Attorneys at Law is a trusted criminal defense firm in Fort Worth that has successfully defended countless DWI cases in Tarrant County and the surrounding areas.
6. Gather Evidence and Witness Statements
- Write down all details about your arrest:
- Where you were before being pulled over.
- Any interactions with the officer.
- Whether field sobriety tests were administered properly.
- Obtain witness statements from anyone who saw you before the arrest and can confirm you weren’t intoxicated.
7. Prepare for Your Court Date in Tarrant County
- Missing a court date could result in an arrest warrant.
- Dress professionally and follow your attorney’s guidance in all hearings.
8. Understand the Potential Penalties for a DWI in Texas
- First Offense DWI: Fines up to $2,000, 3-180 days in jail, and a license suspension of up to 1 year.
- Second Offense DWI: Higher fines, mandatory jail time, and a longer suspension.
- Third Offense DWI: A felony charge, prison time up to 10 years, and steep fines.
9. Explore Your Legal Options with Jones Miyazono Attorneys at Law
- A skilled Fort Worth DWI defense attorney can:
- Argue for case dismissal based on procedural errors.
- Negotiate for deferred adjudication or reduced sentencing.
- Challenge breathalyzer results and police reports.
10. Take Steps to Protect Your Future
- Consider options for DWI expungement or non-disclosure to clear your record.
- Complete any court-ordered DWI education programs or ignition interlock requirements.
Arrested for a DWI in Fort Worth? Get Legal Help Now!
A DWI charge in Tarrant County can have serious consequences, but you have options. Contact Jones Miyazono Attorneys at Law today for a free case evaluation and let their experienced DWI defense team fight for you.