Felony DWI 3rd Offense South Texas | Up to 10 Years Prison

Understanding Felony DWI 3rd Offense Charges in Texas

DWI 3rd offenses are considered serious crimes in Texas. After two misdemeanor convictions, a new DWI arrest becomes a felony charge. Lawmakers and judges routinely seek ways to impose harsher consequences on those accused of felony DWI repeat offenses. Prosecutors see the accused as a ticking time bomb.

For your sake, finding a truly capable lawyer is a critical challenge right now. Stay calm, but keep in mind you have only 15 days to request a hearing to dispute your license suspension in the ALR hearing, so it’s important to find a lawyer as soon as possible.

Time is critical. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Missing this deadline means losing your license automatically on the 40th day after your arrest.

Why a DWI 3rd Charge Demands Specialized Legal Knowledge

All lawyers must know the law at a minimum, but DWI 3rd accusations call for mastery of all evidence normally encountered in intoxication cases. A lawyer making mistakes while “learning on the job” in your case is a disaster with you as the victim.

Specialized skills and deep understanding of issues in DWI 3rd cases is necessary. Special challenges exist. For example, if you go to trial, the jury gets to hear about your prior DWI convictions before they hear a single word of testimony. Your back is already against the wall.

Field “sobriety” testing occurs in almost all cases. A lawyer who thoroughly knows police training on the topic is necessary to effectively undermine the officer’s conclusion of intoxication. Intimate knowledge of blood draw practices, chain of custody, and lab practices are fundamental. Thorough understanding of breath testing is necessary.

Mastery or the lack of mastery of all these issues means the difference between having a chance at trial or having no chance. Few lawyers are dedicated enough to master such a vast topic. A DWI 3rd charge is a major life event.

Penalties for Felony DWI 3rd Offense in Texas

Prison and Fines

Prison is a real possibility. DWI 3rd is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. For those who already served one or more prison sentences, probation is not possible from a jury, and prison terms can be much longer.

Probation Conditions

Probation for DWI 3rd is no guarantee. When granted, it can last up to 10 years. A minimum of 10 days in jail is mandatory, as is a driver license suspension of 180 days to 2 years. Strict conditions are routine, and even small lapses in judgment violating probation are treated harshly—especially drinking alcohol. Alcohol treatment programs could take away freedom for many months, as well.

A DWI 3rd is a major life event. The consequences extend far beyond the courtroom. Choosing the right attorney now is the most important decision you can make.

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Collateral Consequences

Punishment lasts outside court, too. Collateral consequences include societal stigma, ineligibility for loans or government assistance, restrictions on living in certain communities, and impacts on child custody and visitation.

How to Choose the Right DWI Defense Attorney

Many lawyers claim to know how to effectively defend clients against DWI charges. All of them will happily take your money. Do your research. Choose your lawyer carefully after exploring all your options because you will live with the consequences for the rest of your life.

Consider important questions when evaluating attorneys:

Who focuses primarily on DWI defense versus treating it as just another criminal case?
Who has specialized training about field sobriety testing?
Who has specialized training about blood and breath testing?
Who has vast DWI defense experience?
Who is currently active in DWI lawyer organizations—and has been for decades?
Who constantly works on getting better at DWI defense and stays on top of the most current information?
Who regularly handles the license suspension cases tied to almost every DWI case?
Who has the publicly acknowledged respect and admiration of other lawyers?
Has the lawyer been designated a “Super Lawyer” for DWI defense?
Whose satisfied clients provide glowing reviews online?

Attorney Phillip W. Goff: Decades of DWI Defense Experience

Attorney Phillip W. Goff invites you to contact him during your search. He is especially qualified to help you through this difficult time.

Throughout his 30+ years of practice, he has been deeply involved in professional organizations dedicated to DWI defense. His credentials include:

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor: Certified at instructor level for NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing—the same training law enforcement officers receive.
Lawyer-Scientist Certification: Earned the prestigious Lawyer-Scientist designation from the American Chemical Society.
Advanced DWI Training: Graduate of the National College for DUI Defense’s Serious Science, Blood Alcohol Analysis and Advocacy curriculum, as well as their Advanced Breath Testing Course.
Peer Recognition: Rated preeminent in his field by fellow lawyers, with hundreds of satisfied clients publicly praising his work online.

Few DWI defense attorneys have achieved even one of these accomplishments. Mr. Goff has earned them all.