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J. Michael Price II
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AWARDS RESULTS MEDIA
Dallas criminal lawyer J. Michael Price II and his criminal defense support team have successfully defended a vast assortment of criminal matters, including drunk driving, possession of drugs and other controlled substances, narcotics sales, theft, white collar fraud, conspiracy, computer crimes and sex offenses. READ MORE
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HAVE YOU BEEN CONTACTED BY THE POLICE OR CPS?

DWI ANSWERS

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By:Posted: Mar 23rd, 2018In: Criminal Defense

Do Criminal Charges Impact your Driving Privileges?

Your Driving Privileges Can be Suspended Even Without a Criminal Conviction

Yes, being charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) triggers an administrative license suspension. This suspension goes into effect before you can even get to court to fight the charge, before you are found guilty or innocent of DWI. That’s why its important to contact an attorney immedately after being arrest.

If your driver’s license is suspended, the quickest way to have it reinstated is to start working with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to fight the charge you are facing. Demonstrating that you are not guilty of the charge can reverse the suspension, getting you back on the road and able to drive freely once again.

Convictions that Can Affect your Driving Privileges

Many individuals know that being convicted of DWI nearly always results in a driver’s license suspension. This is not the only type of conviction that can impact an individual’s driving privileges, though. Other offenses that can result in a driver’s license suspension or revocation include:

  • Failing to make required child support payments;
  • Exceeding the maximum number of points on one’s driver’s license;
  • Causing a traffic fatality through reckless driving;
  • Underage drinking;
  • Causing a car accident while driving without valid insurance; and
  • Driving with a suspended driver’s license. In this case, the driver’s suspension period may be extended.

An individual with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) faces different driving-related consequences for traffic and criminal offenses than individuals who only have personal driver’s licenses. Being involved in multiple accidents within a short period of time, using a motor vehicle to commit a felony, and being convicted of DWI can all disqualify an individual from holding a CDL.

Administrative License Suspensions

You can face an administrative license suspension for a DWI charge, boating while intoxicated (BWI), and for refusing to take a chemical test to gauge your intoxication level at a DWI or BWI stop. Administrative license suspensions occur independently of criminal court proceedings for DWI and BWI.

After failing or refusing to take a chemical BAC test, a driver is notified that he or she is subject to an administrative license suspension and that it will begin 40 days after the notice is served. The driver has 15 days from the date of receiving this notice to request a hearing to contest the suspension. An expereined attorney can fight this suspension by requesting a hearing, obtaining evidence and issuing a subpoena to force the arresting office to appear and testify about your arrest. Many times you can avoid a suspension completely by aggressively fighting the suspension. Many lawyers are too lazy or not knowledgable enough to fight the suspsnion for their clients. J. mIchael Price II does this on every DWI he handles for his clients.

Work with an Experienced Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer

If your driver’s license is suspended because of a criminal conviction, your lawyer can help you apply for a hardship license so you can continue to do the driving you need to do to support yourself and your family during your suspension. A better alternative is to avoid having your license suspended in the first place by defeating your charge in court. After your arrest, start working with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to develop an effective legal strategy for your case. Contact J. Michael Price II today to set up your initial consultation with us.