Best DUI Lawyers in Corpus Christi, TX

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Corpus Christi, Texas?

  The non-emergency phone number of the Corpus Christi Police Department is 361-886-2600.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Corpus Christi, Texas?

  You may request a copy of a Corpus Christi police report online via https://www.cctexas.com/detail/public-records-general-requests.

• Is your driver’s license automatically suspended once it’s been confiscated for DWI by Corpus Christi police officers?

  In most cases, your driver’s license won’t be automatically suspended right after a police officer in Corpus Christi confiscates it. During your arrest, you will be issued a Notice of Suspension/Temporary Driving Permit (DIC-25) as well as a Statutory Warning (DIC-24). These forms will let you know if you have been given the right to request an Automatic License Revocation hearing within 15 days. If you fail to request an ALR hearing, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended for 90 days to two years.

• Will you go to jail for your first DWI in Corpus Christi?

  You can possibly go to jail even if it’s your first time getting booked for DWI in Corpus Christi. First-time DWI offenders typically face anywhere from 72 hours to 180 days in county jail if convicted. Additional penalties may include up to $2,000 in fines, license suspension, and required attendance at a DWI education program.

• Can you get a DWI plea bargain in Corpus Christi?

  Depending on the unique details of your case, your defense attorney may be able to get a plea bargain for your DWI charges. Once you’ve been put on probation, you will be ordered by the court to adhere to certain conditions. You may be prohibited from consuming alcohol, required to submit to regular drug and alcohol evaluations, render hours of community service, and attend a DWI Safety Education course in Corpus Christi.

• What will happen if you injure someone in Corpus Christi while driving drunk?

  If you get into an accident while driving drunk in Corpus Christi and someone gets injured, your charge will be increased to intoxication assault. This is considered a third-degree felony that is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Your charge may be raised to intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony, if you accidentally kill someone. This offense is also punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

• How can you get rid of a DWI conviction on your Corpus Christi criminal record?

  You can’t remove a DWI conviction from your criminal record in Corpus Christi, as expungement is not made available to those who have been convicted of the offense in all of Texas. However, you may seek the help of an experienced DWI defense attorney to check if you are eligible to have your conviction sealed under Texas State’s DWI Second Chance Law.

• What does a DUI charge involve?

  DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal charge applied to someone who is suspected of operating their vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Every state in the U.S. has a law on the books that bans driving while intoxicated; however, the specific criteria may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some states, a driver with blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08% can be brought up on DUI charges while other states set a higher threshold or increase the severity of charges in accordance with the level of intoxication. In some cases, DUI is determined not via testing but by behavior; drivers who are intoxicated to the point of impairment and who cannot safely operate their vehicle may be arrested on suspicion of DUI.

• What's the difference between DUI, DWI, and OVI?

  The terms driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) are all legal phrases that refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs (illegal or prescription), alcohol, or both. These terms are largely interchangeable though some states use only one acronym in their statutes for the sake of clarity. There are also other acronyms occasionally substituted for DUI, such as DWAI (driving while ability impaired), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OUI (operating under the influence), and DUII-CS (driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances).

• How long does a DUI stay on your record?

  In addition to the more immediate penalties that come with a DUI conviction, this costly mistake can have other consequences. DUIs stay on your driving record for years with the exact length of time differing from state to state — the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, tracks DUIs for 10 years and may use that information to determine things like license eligibility. In Alabama, DUIs stay on the record for five years while in Alaska they're permanent. In states that use point systems to track driving infractions, DUI points may stay on the record far longer than the DUI itself.

• How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

  The cost of a DUI lawyer depends largely on three things: geographic area, the lawyer's experience, and whether the case is settled quickly with a plea or ends up going to trial. Attorneys may charge a flat rate, more commonly used for simple cases that are likely to wrap up quickly, or they may charge by the hour, which can add up quickly if the case requires a lot of pretrial preparations and court time. Ultimately, a DUI lawyer could cost as little as $700 or bill in excess of $4,000.

• How do I choose a DUI attorney?

  Finding the right DUI lawyer is crucial, especially when it comes to preventing a suspended license and minimizing fees and other penalties. To choose the right one:

  • Look for attorneys experienced in DUI case law
  • Ask for referrals from family and friends
  • Check the internet for reviews, keeping in mind that no two DUI cases are exactly alike
  • Meet with prospective lawyers (many offer free consultations) to hear their perspective on the case and see whether their personality feels like a good fit
  • Ask whether the lawyer will be the primary representative or if the case could be passed to an associate and how many clients the lawyer/firm represents at one time
  • Discuss billing options — the difference between an hourly rate and flat fee can be considerable

• What happens when you get a DUI?

  Individuals detained on suspicion of a DUI are typically taken to jail, their vehicles impounded, and either held on bail or processed and released pending a court date. That initial court appearance is a chance to enter a plea; it's a good idea to retain legal representation prior to this hearing so they have an opportunity to argue for reduced charges or even dismissal.

  Drunk driving charges are often enough to warrant a suspended license pending the outcome of the case. A DUI conviction could mean losing that license entirely as well as paying fines, court costs, and DMV fees and paying for treatment or other intervention programs as instructed by the court — perhaps even completing jail time. These penalties tend to be less severe for first-time offenders and increase significantly thereafter.

• Can I contest a DUI without a lawyer?

  While it's possible to contest a DUI without a lawyer present, case law is complex, and navigating those laws can be tricky. A DUI lawyer can't guarantee a positive outcome, but they are in a far better position to make crucial moves, such as challenging the legality of the original traffic stop, questioning the officer-led sobriety tests, and introducing evidence that could lead to an exoneration. In short, it's tempting to save money by going it alone, but the consequences could be costly. Before deciding against a lawyer, take advantage of a free consultation and weigh their recommendations. If budget is a factor, there are court-appointed public defenders who may take on the case.

• How much does a DUI cost?

  DUIs are expensive. In addition to attorney fees that often run the gamut from $700 to over $4,000, there may also be bail costs, court-ordered fines, alcohol education courses, traffic school, DMV fees, the cost of increased insurance rate, fees associated with recovering an impounded car, and the possibility of paying for a court-ordered ignition interlock device. All together, the average cost of a DUI sits at around $6,500 not counting peripheral expenses, such as alternate transportation while unable to drive and lost income due to court dates and incarceration.

• When does a DUI become a felony?

  Driving under the influence is classified as a misdemeanor unless the DUI meets certain state-specific criteria such as:

  • It's not the first offense. Anyone arrested for DUI who has been convicted of driving under the influence previously may be charged with a felony, depending on the length of time since the last conviction.
  • The offender was driving without a license. Getting a DUI with a license that has been suspended, revoked, or restricted is a felony in many states.
  • The DUI resulted in someone else's injury or death. Some states cite bodily harm as one of the reasons to change a DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony.

• How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

  Since car insurance rates are based on driving history and projected risk, it stands to reason that a DUI conviction will result in higher insurance rates. How much those rates go up depends on the state. In Colorado, insurance rates jump around 18% following a DUI conviction while North Carolina sees a median rate increase of more than 300%. To put that in further perspective, consider New Jersey; the state's average insurance rate is $1,419, but the average rate with DUI increases 132% to $3,292.