Justin Wilson
Senior Attorney
We Offer Complimentary Consultations
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If you are facing DWI, assault, sex crime, or other criminal charges, get in touch with Design 8 to learn about your legal options.
-
We Offer Complimentary Consultations
If you are facing DWI, assault, sex crime, or other criminal charges, get in touch with Design 8 to learn about your legal options.
A DWI arrest in Dallas has life-altering consequences long before conviction. Suddenly, your freedom and driver’s license are at risk. If convicted, you may be sentenced to jail time and steep fines. Even a first offense can cause long-term damage to your future.
Fortunately, charges aren’t convictions, and an experienced Dallas DWI defense lawyer can fight back on your behalf. The skilled legal team at Design 8 can work to protect your future and help you move forward from this stressful time. Whether this is your first offense or you’re facing a felony DWI, we’re ready to challenge the evidence and advocate for your best possible outcome. Our Dallas DWI defense lawyers can also help you request an administrative hearing and prepare a strategy to protect your license.
The sooner you have Design 8 on your side, the sooner we can jump in and protect your rights. Call 214-764-5535 now for a consultation.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Texas DWI laws are tough, and the penalties are tougher. In addition to jail time and fines, your employment, housing, professional licenses, and immigration status could be affected.
Prosecutors often rely on breath or blood test results and officer observations to build a case against you. But tests—and law enforcement—can be wrong. Without an experienced lawyer, you may not realize your legal options or how to challenge the evidence.
Design 8 knows what’s at stake and can advocate for the best possible outcome. A skilled DWI defense attorney can:
DWI charges can be stressful and scary, but they don’t have to define your life. When you contact Design 8 for a consultation, we’ll explain your rights, your legal options, and how we can help.
Design 8 defends clients facing all types of intoxication-related charges. Whether it’s your first arrest or you’ve had prior convictions, we’re ready to help.
A first-time DWI begins as a Class B misdemeanor. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below 0.15, the charge will remain a a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to six months in jail or up to two years of probation and up to a $2,000 fine. Your license may be suspended for up to a year. However, an experienced attorney can work to protect your rights and keep your license.
If your BAC is 0.15 or higher, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties are more severe, including up to a year of jail time, $4,000 in fines, and a mandatory ignition interlock device. You may lose your license for two years and attend DWI education. We challenge chemical tests and observational evidence to protect your record.
A second DWI is also a Class A misdemeanor. In addition to jail time, license suspension, and fines, convictions can result in community supervision and DWI education for repeat offenders. We dig into your prior case to challenge its use as a prior conviction and work to reduce penalties wherever possible.
Certain circumstances turn a DWI into a felony, including: A third or subsequent DWI offense, Causing serious injury (intoxication assault), Causing death (intoxication manslaughter), Driving drunk with a child under 15 Felony DWIs can lead to years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. We build comprehensive defenses and fight to reduce or dismiss your charges whenever possible.
Driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony. Penalties include up to $10,000 in fines and up to two years in state jail. Worse, these charges often lead to CPS involvement—which can result in the loss of your custody rights. Our firm works quickly to protect your rights as well as your family relationships.
If you were driving while intoxicated and caused serious bodily injury, you can be charged with intoxication assault. This is a third-degree felony that can result in up to a decade in prison, $10,000 in fines, and a long-term license suspension. We can examine accident reports, challenge expert testimony, and review medical records to fight this serious accusation.
Intoxication manslaughter applies when someone dies due to a DWI-related crash. This second-degree felony is punished by up to 20 years in prison, $10,000 in fines, and long-term license revocation. Because the consequences are life-altering, we aggressively investigate and advocate for the best possible outcome.
Though not technically a DWI, public intoxication is still a criminal offense. You can be charged if you’re in public and intoxicated enough to be a danger to yourself or others—even if you never get behind the wheel. Bars, restaurants, and common areas in apartment buildings are all considered “public” under the law. If convicted, you’ll face a $500 fine and possible overnight detention. However, even minor Class C misdemeanors will show up on background checks. We work to resolve the charges without a conviction whenever possible.
When you’ve been charged with a DWI, you probably have plenty of questions. Here are the answers to some of our most commonly received questions:
Many states call drunk or drugged driving DUI (driving under the influence). In Texas, however, DWI (driving while intoxicated) is the charge used for adults who operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
DUI is a separate offense. This offense only applies to drivers under 21 who are caught with any detectable alcohol in their system. Generally, adult drivers will never face a “DUI” charge in Texas.
It’s possible, especially if you fail to request a hearing. Texas gives drivers an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) notice if you fail or refuse a breath or blood test. You must request a hearing within 15 days of your notice or arrest to fight the suspension.
Not always, but it depends on the charge. Some charges have mandatory jail or prison sentences. With lower-level offenses, jail time is possible but not guaranteed. Many first-time offenders are eligible for probation or deferred adjudication. We advocate for the least severe outcome possible, including dismissal.
A BAC of 0.15 or higher can elevate the charge from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor, increasing penalties and possibly requiring an ignition interlock device. We challenge BAC results and testing procedures to fight the charge.
Texas DWI convictions generally stay on your record permanently. In some cases, we can help expunge the record or pursue non-disclosure after probation.
Common defenses include:
We examine every aspect of your case to find the strongest defense possible.
Yes—but it comes with consequences. Refusal triggers an automatic license suspension under Texas’ implied consent law if you fail to request an ALR hearing before the 15-day deadline. However, refusals require law enforcement to obtain a search warrant to take your blood, and mistakes with the execution of the search warrant provide opportunities to exclude evidence. However, refusal also denies prosecutors automatic access to BAC results. Whether you consented to or refused a chemical test, we will work to build an aggressive defense.
Dallas County
June 2025
Dismissed
Second-Degree Felony Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon
Denton County
June 2025
Felony No-Billed & Motion to Revoke Withdrawn
State Jail Felony Injury to Elderly & Motion to Revoke Misdemeanor Probation
Dallas County
May 2025
Deferred Adjudication
Second-Degree Felony Aggravated Assault w/Deadly Weapon Reduced to Class A Misdemeanor Discharge of Firearm in Certain Municipalities
Denton County
May 2025
Dismissed
Class A Misdemeanor Assault Family Violence
Collin County
February 2025
Dismissed
Third-Degree Felony Failure to Register as Sex Offender
Collin County
December 2024
Both of Client’s Cases Dismissed
Third-Degree Felony Assault Family Violence Strangulation & Third-Degree Felony Continuous Violence Against the Family
Collin County
December 2024
Dismissed
Class A Misdemeanor Violation of Bond Conditions
Dallas County
November 2024
Case Refused, No Further Prosecution
Class A Misdemeanor Assault Family Violence
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Find Us Near You. Visit One of Our Offices.
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| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
