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The Frightening Reality Of A DUI Charge

It’s frightening to face the reality of a DUI/DWI charge in Texas. So much of your life is at stake: your freedom, your driving privileges – even your future. In some cases, you may even lose your job and damage your reputation if you are convicted.

Williamson County and other parts of Central Texas have a well-deserved reputation for being tough on crime. According to Texas Department of Transportation statistics, in 2015 there were 24,539 alcohol-related accidents in the state of Texas, including 336 in Williamson County and 1,624 crashes in Travis County. Their statistics further reveal that there are more crashes by far between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday than at any other time of the week. It should be no surprise that DWI law enforcement is a high priority for local police and sheriff’s departments throughout Williamson and Travis counties and that their DWI enforcement actions are especially stepped up at these times.

Police do not go easy on drivers they suspect of driving while intoxicated. They’re often quick to make arrests and let prosecutors sort out the charges.

With so much at stake, now is not the time to skimp on an attorney. Defense lawyer Russ Hunt at the Law Office of Russ Hunt, Jr., defends folks charged with all types of criminal offenses, including DUI/DWI. He has handled thousands of serious cases in Georgetown and Central Texas over the course of nearly 30 years as a defense attorney. As a result, he knows what it takes to protect your rights, and he stands ready to help you with DWI and DUI allegations.

The DUI Process

If you have been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, you will be taken to jail. You’re entitled to an initial hearing with a magistrate within 48 hours. This magistrate will review a brief summary of the charges and set bail. At that time, you should be able to post bail and be released from jail.

It’s essential to work with a lawyer such as Russ as soon as you can. He can get to work for you right away, diligently reviewing all the details to chart a strong course for your defense.

Evidence In A DUI Case

Police in a DWI case gather evidence that they will provide to the prosecutor to prove that you were intoxicated. This evidence may include:

  • Witness statements
  • Lab test (breath or blood) results
  • Video recordings, including police bodycams
  • Audio recordings
  • Police reports

One of the first and most important tasks that Russ will undertake is obtaining, evaluating and reviewing all of the available evidence in your case. He knows what to look for in flagging violations of your rights, weaknesses in the evidence and other footholds to challenge the prosecution.

What About Your Driver’s License?

Texas law imposes an automatic suspension of your driver’s license after a DUI arrest. If you take no action, your license will be automatically suspended around 40 days after you got arrested. If you drive on a suspended license, you may face additional criminal charges.

You can challenge the suspension, but you only have 15 days after receiving notice to do so. Russ can represent you in this aspect of your case as well.

Trying To Handle The Case Yourself Can Be A Big Mistake

Some people who have been charged with a DWI resist hiring an attorney to represent them, thinking they can simply explain their stance to the prosecutor at their first court date. They hope the charges will simply go away.

Unfortunately, this is incredibly unlikely to occur. DWI charges are among the most serious misdemeanor charges and carry very stiff penalties, including the possibility of jail time, the likelihood of stiff fines and surcharges, not to mention license suspension and future enhancement of charges. The “collateral” effects of criminal convictions also include possible effects on professional licensing, job advancement, housing eligibility and future employment.

A far wiser course of action is to hire an experienced attorney quickly. Russ can start working on your case right away and possibly even get the case dismissed or reduced to a non-DWI charge. Every case is different, and he will give you a realistic outlook of your options.

Get Help With Your DWI Case | Free Consultation

Russ can be your go-to for all aspects of your DUI case. Don’t wait another moment to get the legal help you need during this critical time. Call Russ at 512-551-1047 or send him an email to discuss your options during a free consultation.