Skip to Content
Sloane Law Firm Sloane Law Firm
Call Us Today! 817-349-7118
Top
Felony DWI Put Unparalleled Defense In Your Corner

Fort Worth Felony DWI Attorneys

Felony DWI Charges in Texas

The state of Texas takes driving while intoxicated (DWI) very seriously. While many DWIs are charged as misdemeanors, it is not at all uncommon for law enforcement to seek felony DWI charges. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing felony charges after being arrested for driving while intoxicated—and the penalties for such a conviction are extremely harsh.

At the Sloane Law Firm, we understand the serious nature of your situation. Our Fort Worth felony DWI attorneys work efficiently, taking immediate action to protect your rights and safeguard your future. We offer aggressive, personalized legal representation and are ready to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Call our firm today at (817) 349-7118 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

When Is a DWI Charged as a Felony?

Generally speaking, a first or second DWI will be charged as a misdemeanor in the state of Texas. However, certain circumstances may elevate the charges to a felony.

In Texas, a DWI may be charged as a felony if:

  • The alleged offender has two or more previous DWI convictions
  • There was a child passenger in the vehicle at the time of the DWI arrest
  • The alleged offender caused an accident that resulted in bodily injury or the death of another person (intoxication assault/intoxication manslaughter)

When it comes to third and subsequent DWIs, it’s important to note that Texas does not have a “look back” period. In other words, there is no limit to the number of years ago the DWI conviction occurred; if you were ever convicted of two or more DWIs, no matter how long ago, another DWI would count as a third offense and be charged as a felony.

Penalties for a Felony DWI in Texas

If you are convicted of DWI in Texas, you could face up to a year in jail and fines up to $3,000, among other penalties, such as a driver’s license suspension of 90 days to 1 year. However, if you are charged with a felony DWI, the penalties are much more severe. These penalties depend on the circumstances of the arrest and the reason for which the offense was charged as a felony.

The penalties for a third or subsequent DWI in Texas include:

  • A prison sentence of 2 to 10 years
  • A fine of up to $10,000
  • Automatic driver’s license suspension for up to 2 years
  • Additional fees (up to $2,000/year) to keep your driver’s license
  • Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
  • Compulsory attendance in and completion of an approved alcohol education program
Continue Reading Read Less

Our Settlements & Verdicts

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • Charges Dismissed Keeping a Gambling Place & Intentionally & Knowingly Operate a Game Room
  • Case Dismissed Discharging a Firearm in a Municipality
  • Case Dismissed Possession of Methamphetamine Under One Gram
  • Case Dismissed Possession of a Controlled Substance Under One Gram in a Drug Free Zone
  • Reduced Under 12.44 Motion to Adjudicate - Possession of Methamphetamine Under 1 Gram and Criminal Trespass

Testimonials From Real People

See What Clients Have Said About Us
    "David is a great lawyer that knows what he is doing and cares."
    I just finished up with an assault charge and David’s office made it as easy as they could. David is a great lawyer that knows what he is doing and cares. I would recommend him to anyone.
    - Josh
    "Best lawyer in the DFW metroplex hands down"
    David and his staff are excellent in helping you understand everything that is going on. If you want a lawyer to fight for you and not do the bare minimum then David Sloane is the one to contact. I went from having a state jail felony and a class b misdemeanor, to just a class c misdemeanor no felony. He also got it set up to where my record is sealed. I really have no idea where I would be or what the outcome would have been if I didn't choose David as my attorney. Olga is also very helpful as well and does an excellent job of letting you know when and where you need to be, and also helps you understand things going on with your case. I give David and his team 5 stars because of how they treated me and what an outstanding job David did. Thank you so much for your help.
    - JC
    "I consider this money well spent. He did a great job."
    I hired David Sloane to defend me against marijuana charge. He gave me the option of charging a flat fee. It was explained to me my cost would be fixed regardless of whether it took him one appearance in court or ten. I agreed to this as a means of limiting my legal cost. He was able to get the charges against me dismissed. I consider this money well spent. He did a great job for the price quoted.
    - Slade
    "David Sloane is the most professional, friendly, informed lawyer I have ever had the privilege of hiring as my legal council!"
    David Sloane is the most professional, friendly, informed lawyer I have ever had the privilege of hiring as my legal council! He knows the law inside and out, and will bend over backwards to help his clients. I cannot recommend him enough! He has worked miracles for me, and made it seem effortless! I will always come to David with my legal concerns, recommending him STRONGLY to all my friends and family!
    - Erich
    "He is very kind and cares about you as a person, and he is VERY knowledgeable in his field."
    I wish I would have gone to this man in the first place. He is very kind and cares about you as a person, and he is VERY knowledgeable in his field. I felt like he would have fought for me and produced a better outcome than what I had, had I only known about him almost 4 years now prior. If you are in a bind with marijuana charges, please go see him. He not only will know what he is speaking to but educates you on how he will win. And if you get him, I am sure you will win.
    - Emily
    "David was very diligent about my case, and the prosecution did NOT want to argue with him."
    If you get arrested in Texas for anything David is probably going to be your best bet, especially if it is marijuana or DUI related. I am from Florida, and I got popped in Texas with a little over 20 pounds of cannabis, 400 grams of Hash, and an AR-15 type assault rifle. My bail was set at 50,000 dollars, and if convicted, I could have done 20+. I am affiliated with NORML, and heard through a network of people that David would be the right guy for the job, and he was. David was very diligent about my case, and the prosecution did NOT want to argue with him. He subpoena'd all the records from every single arrest made by the arresting officer in the last year, and worked a whole bunch of other magic, I have no idea what he did, but it worked. David is also affiliated with NORML, and on top of being a badass lawyer, he is a pretty cool guy to chill with. As soon as I met David, I did not speak with any other lawyers, I knew I was in good hands. After being charged with one first degree felony, one-second degree felony, and 2 third-degree misdemeanors, with David handling my case, he ended up getting all charges dropped except the hash charge, which got reduced AND deferred. The end result was a 1500 dollar fine, some court and lab fees, and 120 hours of community service, and since it was deferred, I am on probation until I finish the hours, but after I finish, I can get off early. Basically, I was facing 20+ years, and David pretty much got me off with what could be loosely regarded as a slap on the wrist. David handles all kind of cases from money laundering to marijuana cases, to dui's...with this guy by your side you know you are in good hands. Thanks David
    - Parker
    "He made my tough situation a breeze to get through!!"
    I am from Phoenix AZ and hired David Sloan for a case I had in Sierra Blanca TX! He was very professional and also personable! He made my tough situation a breeze to get through!! I recommend him for anyone who needs help with a mistake they have made in life and need a smooth way of fixing the problem and moving on!!
    - Levi
    "Highly recommended! Worth every penny."
    Highly recommended! Worth every penny. I had possession of marijuana under 2 ounces and he got it reduced to drug paraphernalia and a fine. He definitely knows what he is doing and is very creative with it!
    - Michael