The Medlin Law Firm
MISDEMEANOR VS. FELONY DWI CHARGES
Most DWI cases are categorized as Class B misdemeanors and require a minimum of three days in jail. However, if an open container is also found in the vehicle, the minimum jail term is six days. Having a BAC of 0.15 percent or greater while driving is a Class A misdemeanor, which is a more serious crime. The penalties for multiple offenses are also more severe. Getting convicted for a second DWI requires a minimum jail term of 30 days. Penalties can also be more severe if there is a child under 15 years old in the vehicle. DWI with a minor in the car is punishable by between 180 days and two years in jail, as well as a fine of up to $10,000 warranting the attention of a Fort Worth DWI attorney. Penalties can also be more severe if a drunk driver causes an accident and injured someone. Intoxication assault, injuring a person while driving drunk, is a third-degree felony punishable by a prison sentence of two to ten years and a fine of up to $10,000. If someone is killed during the incident, the driver can be charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony punishable by imprisonment from two to 20 years on top of a maximum $10,000 fine.
Embarrassment drives many of these cases before the evidence ever does. A few messages, a hotel arrangement, or a sting operation can quickly become a felony accusation in Fort Worth, even when the actual communication is more ambiguous than the charge suggests. The Medlin Law Firm helps clients by slowing that process down and reading the full record, not just the worst line quoted in a police report. In solicitation cases, the wording, sequence, and context of the messages often matter more than the headline attached to the arrest. The firm reviews the conversation thread, undercover reports, timeline, and any missing recordings or gaps in the evidence. Cases involving phones, apps, and undercover contact need careful review because the facts are often narrower than the accusation. Fort Worth clients need more than reassurance in this situation. They need a clear look at what the State can prove, what evidence should be preserved, and how to respond before reputation damage gets ahead of the case itself. The Medlin Law Firm 1300 S University Dr #318 Fort Worth, TX 76107 (682) 204-4066 https://www.MedlinFirm.com/locations/fort-worth/