DWI Arrest Scenarios

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) above the legal limit of .08% is a crime in the state of Texas. If you have been arrested for DWI in the Austin area, contact the Austin DWI lawyer immediately to begin your case.

An arrest for a DWI could occur under a number of circumstances, but most cases follow a certain model.

A typical arrest usually proceeds similarly to the following:

1. You, the motorist, make some sort of driving error such as running through a red light to give a nearby police officer probable cause to pull you over.
2. You pull over and the responding officer walks up to your car window and asks to see your driver’s license, registration, and proof of vehicle insurance.
3. The officer observes you carefully for any signs of impairment such as being unable to find the requested documents or smelling of alcohol. The officer will also ask you a few questions to detect any slurred speech, confusion, or other cognitive signs of impairment.
4. If you do exhibit any of the aforementioned signs of impairment the officer will most likely ask you to exit your vehicle and submit to field sobriety tests, which are physical tests designed to detect impairment.
5. If you choose to partake in these tests (you don’t have to!) and fail them, the officer may ask you to submit to a breath test. If your BAC reading is .08 or above, you will be arrested/charged for DWI. Sometimes a breath test will not be administered at the scene, and you will be arrested just for failing the field sobriety tests.
6. In any scenario your next stop will be the police station, where you will then have to submit to chemical testing, either blood, urine, or breath. If your BAC level is above the legal limit, you will be booked on a formal DWI charge.

The police must follow certain protocol in DWI cases…any breach of conduct could result in your charges being dismissed. But even the most “full proof” DWI case can be stopped dead in its tracks with a good attorney. Contact the Austin DWI lawyer for an immediate consultation today.