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Going to Court for a DWI in Texas? Remember These 5 Things


After being arrested for and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas, you are likely to be released from the jailhouse on bond or for other reasons without getting a full or clear explanation as to what is going to happen afterward. You can probably expect to be told when your next court day will be, but beyond that information you may not be told much at all. Understandably, this “good luck” attitude often presented to alleged criminal offenders can leave you feeling confused, lost, and even hopeless.

If you want to turn your situation around and successfully fight for your rights and driving privilege after a DWI arrest, you need to know what to expect in the upcoming court dates, hearings, and trials. Our team at Tyler Flood & Associates has prepared a useful list of five things to keep in mind that should help you through the entire process. Of course, if you already know that you need the legal guidance and representation of a trusted Houston DWI attorney, do not hesitate to contact our firm right away.

Here are five things to keep in mind when going to criminal court for a DWI charge:

  1. You still have the same set of rights: When you go to court for a DWI, you have the same rights as someone accused of committing a crime. You still have the right to legal counsel and the right to not give self-incriminating statements. Although you might feel smaller standing before a judge, you are not by any means.
  2. You should dress appropriately: Consider the courtroom to be a professional environment, like a high-brow office space. Try to dress nicely and cleanly. You do not need to buy a new suit or dress but shorts and flip-flops are out of the question. In fact, many criminal courts will not even see you if you are dressed too casually and will instead send you away to await a new court date. If your local DWI court does enforce a specific dress code, intentionally failing to meet it a repeated number of times could be seen as being in contempt of court, which is a crime in and of itself.
  3. Plea deals are not always favorable: You should almost never plea guilty on your first appearance. DWI’s are complicated cases and a good attorney needs a good amount of time to conduct a thorough investigation of your case. Remember a plea of guilty to DWI in Texas results in a permanent conviction on your record.
  4. The state needs to prove a certain set of facts: In order to convict you for driving while intoxicated, the prosecution must convince a jury or a judge of several facts. In short, it has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were the one operating a motor vehicle in a public place within Texas borders, and while your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level made you legally intoxicated, and that your BAC was at that level due to drinking alcohol or taking drugs. If just one of these points can be defeated, the whole argument against you may be unraveled by a skilled DWI defense attorney.
  5. You can consider appealing a negative outcome: The defense in a DWI case can appeal a verdict or ruling that was not beneficial for the defendant. Appeals are dependent on factual or judicial errors during the trial or hearing that could have altered the outcome. You cannot expect an appeal to be succeed if it is filed simply because you personally did not like the outcome. The prosecution, on the other hand, cannot appeal after losing a case at trial.

Remember: If you are preparing to go to court for a DWI case and do not know where to begin, you do not have to go it alone. Start constructing an effective defense today by calling and talking to a Houston DWI attorney from Tyler Flood & Associates.

Tyler Flood & Associates
By: Tyler Flood & Associates
Sep. 25 2017
Posted in DWI

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    "Tyler and his team are top notch—with years of experience under their belts they know what strategy will work to advocate for the best possible outcome. They are knowledgeable, professional, and courteous. Like a doctor, you never know you hire a bad attorney until it’s too late, and don’t take a gamble and retain someone else, especially when the clock starts running quickly, once you are arrested for a DWI. Run, don’t walk, to retain Flood and Associates!"
    - Alyssa S
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    "So. I can't say enough about Tyler Flood and Associates! BRAVO!! I had a 3rd DWI and my daughter Googled Tyler & Co. Who are DWI SPECIALISTS! I set up an appointment, and was impressed with their knowledge on the Laws and Science of DWI cases! Hank👍💥💥💥💥💥👌"
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    "Tyler Flood did an excellent job in taking care of my situation when no other attorney could do so. He kept communication open by way of text messages and phone calls, I was inform in every step along the way and he represented me well in court. His assistant Andrea was very quick in responding to my emails, I felt comforted by their genuine concerns of my case. Highly recommended"
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    "Tyler Flood and associates are an astronomical team. Tyler was aggressive when needed to be and very professional during my trail. He left no stone unturned. I highly reccomend Mr. Flood if you ever find yourself in a situation such as myself. The not guilty verdict for a dwi was the best! "
    - Magaly
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    "Great experience under terrible circumstances...when your future is at risk, the attorney you chose could decide your fate..Flood & associates took my case personal...I felt I was represented by family...highly recommend Tyler to everyone!"
    - Brent
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    "I personally want everyone to know, this is the best law firm for dui issues! They are professional and responds all the time, communications between the office and myself was on par at all times and bottom line. MY CASE WAS DISMISSED!!!"
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    "Tyler did a great job for me. I never felt like he wanted me to settle. In fact he would encourage me to hang in there and go to trial. In the end my DWI was dismissed the day of trial. I would definitely recommend them."
    - Robin
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  • National College for DUI Defense
  • Best DUI Lawyer
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Texas Criminal Lawyers Association
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