A conviction for DWI in Tarrant County can lead to:
- Jail time
- Fines in the thousands
- Driver's license suspension
- Soaring insurance premiums
- A permanent criminal record
- Loss of employment opportunities
But remember—being arrested does not mean you'll be convicted. Our mission is to ensure one mistake doesn't derail your life. We prioritize getting your charges dismissed or reduced, and we're ready to take your case to trial if that's what it takes to win.
Why Choose Michael & Associates for a Tarrant County DWI?
We're a white-glove law firm committed to exceptional legal defense and client service. Every member of our DWI team has a proven track record defending clients in Fort Worth and throughout Tarrant County. We handle DWI cases in surrounding counties as well and are known for delivering results.
What Counts as a DWI in Texas?
Under Texas Penal Code § 49.04, you commit DWI if you operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. You're legally intoxicated if:
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, or
- You've lost the regular use of mental or physical faculties due to drugs, alcohol, or both.
You can still be charged even if your BAC is under the legal limit or if you refuse testing. While it is within your rights to refuse a breath or blood test, doing so often triggers automatic license suspension.
Types of DWI Charges in Fort Worth and Their Penalties
First-Time DWI
- Up to one year in jail
- Fines up to $2,000
- Driver's license suspension
- Permanent criminal record
We've helped many first-time offenders avoid convictions through dismissals, plea bargains, or deferred adjudication. Some may qualify to seal their record later.
Second DWI
- Class A misdemeanor
- Up to one year in jail
- Minimum 3-day jail term (even with probation)
- Fines up to $4,000
- No eligibility for deferred adjudication
- Up to 24 months of probation
Even a dismissed first DWI can be used against you. Tarrant County courts treat second offenses very seriously.
Third or More (Felony DWI)
- Felony charge
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Minimum 10 days in jail
- Fines up to $10,000
- Felony on your permanent record
These cases require a skilled and aggressive defense team with extensive experience in felony trials.
Common DWI Enhancements
Certain factors can increase penalties significantly:
- BAC of 0.15% or higher – Class A misdemeanor, permanent conviction
- Open Container – Mandatory 6-day jail sentence
- Child Passenger – Felony charge with up to 2 years in prison
These enhancements also come with harsher license suspensions and probation terms.
What Happens to Your License After a DWI?
After a DWI arrest, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will begin an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process. If you don't request an ALR hearing within 15 days, your license will be automatically suspended for 90 to 180 days, or longer for CDL holders.
How We Help:
- File immediately for an ALR hearing to delay suspension
- Represent you at the hearing
- Use the hearing to cross-examine officers and gather evidence
- If needed, file for an Occupational Driver's License (ODL) – we can’t remember the last time we had an ODL request denied
We work fast to protect your driving privileges and keep you on the road.
Consequences of a DWI Conviction
Even a first DWI conviction can affect your life for years. Beyond fines and possible jail time, here are just a few of the long-term consequences:
Employment and career
- Background checks will reveal your DWI
- May affect professional licenses or job opportunities
Commercial driving
- CDL holders may lose their license and ability to work
Auto insurance
- Premiums may increase 30–90%
- Elevated rates can last 3 to 5 years
Gun ownership
- A felony DWI conviction will prohibit firearm ownership
Ignition Interlock Device
- Required for specific probation terms — expensive and invasive
Case Outcomes in Fort Worth
The first thing to understand about a DWI charge is the case outcome. Most cases don’t end up going to trial – instead, an outcome gets worked out with the prosecutor. That process takes longer than average in Tarrant County, with nearly 40% of 2024 felony DWI cases still unresolved.
You can see the data from Fort Worth DWI charges below:
| Disposition |
1st DWI |
2nd DWI |
Felony DWI |
| Dismissal |
2.2% |
1.25% |
2.9% |
| Convicted – Guilty or Nolo |
45% |
56% |
43% |
| Deferred Adjudication |
16.5% |
1.85% |
1.4% |
| Motions to Revoke Granted / Revoked |
5.8% |
6.7% |
7.6% |
| Motions to Revoke Denied / Continued |
3.3% |
3.2% |
5.4% |
| Other* |
26.7% |
29.1% |
39.5% |
| Conviction by the Court |
0% |
0.07% |
0% |
| Acquittal by the Court |
0.05% |
0.07% |
0% |
| Conviction by the Jury |
0.7% |
0.5% |
0.2% |
| Acquittal by the Jury |
0.22% |
0.4% |
0% |
Source: https://courtsdata.traviscountytx.gov/CriminalAnalytics/
*Other includes cases that are currently unresolved.
DWI Outcomes in Tarrant County
Any conviction or guilty plea in Tarrant County will remain on your criminal record for life, so it’s essential to consider the long-term ramifications. Though accepting a plea deal that requires a guilty plea may seem like the simplest course of action, you must consider the long-term ramifications of having a conviction on your record before taking action.
First-time DWI: Only 2.2% of DWI first offenses ended with a dismissal in 2024. Approximately 16.5% got deferred adjudication, while 45% pleaded guilty or no contest.
Second-time DWI: A majority of second-time DWI offenders end up with a conviction, so it’s crucial to hire an attorney for the best chance of keeping your record clean. Less than 2% of defendants received deferred adjudication, and only about 1% had their charges dismissed.
Felony DWI: Fewer than 5% of defendants received dismissals or deferred adjudication, while 43% were convicted, which can result in jail time. Another 13% had to deal with ramifications for probation or parole. More than one-third of the felony DWI cases from 2024 remain unresolved. An experienced attorney may be able to expedite the process, so you aren’t left in limbo for a year or more after an arrest.
Conviction Sentences in Houston
If convicted, you will receive a sentence. Below shows the distribution of sentence types for DWI convictions last year in Tarrant County:
| Sentence |
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
Felony |
| Probation/Community Supervision |
53% |
57.5% |
60% |
| Committed to the Local Jail |
46.9% |
42.3% |
9% |
| Fine Only |
0.1% |
0.2% |
0% |
| Committed to State Jail |
0% |
0% |
2% |
| Committed Directly to Prison |
0% |
0% |
29% |
DWI Conviction Statistics in Harris County
First-time DWI: Statistics show that approximately 45% of first-time DWI offenses in Tarrant County result in a conviction. Almost 47% of those convictions involved jail time. However, many jail sentences for first-time offenders are based on the time already served between arrest and the guilty plea or conviction. The more critical concern at this point is maintaining a clear record.
Second-time DWI: The most likely outcome of a second DWI conviction is probation or community supervision, with over 57% of cases receiving this outcome. Just over 42% of convictions result in jail time.
Felony DWI: Approximately 29% of felony DWI defendants were sentenced to prison, while 11% were required to serve time in jail. Roughly 60% were sentenced to probation or community supervision, which can require mandatory drug and alcohol testing, regular meetings with a probation officer, and even restrict where you can travel.
How a DWI Conviction Affects Fort Worth Auto Insurance Rates
Auto insurance in Texas is expensive, and a DWI on your record won’t help matters.
Current rates provided by Bankrate show that premiums can increase anywhere from 30% to almost 90%, and rates will remain elevated for three to five years:
| Insurer |
Average rate, no DWI |
Average rate after DWI |
% increase |
| USAA |
$1,895 |
$2,487 |
31% |
| GEICO |
$2,399 |
$4,498 |
87.5% |
| Allstate |
$2,941 |
$4,611 |
57% |
Do I Really Need a DWI Lawyer in Fort Worth?
Yes. The difference between a public defender and a private defense team can mean the difference between freedom and jail time.
When you hire Michael & Associates, you get:
- A team with deep knowledge of Tarrant County courts
- Relationships with local judges and prosecutors
- A reputation for fighting hard and winning tough cases
Don't take chances with your future. Invest in the strongest possible defense.
