SOUTHERN BORN
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© 2023 by Thornton Criminal Defense, PLLC.
Atascosa Office:
216 N Bryant St
Pleasanton, Texas 78064
FORMER CHIEF PROSECUTOR
PERSONALIZED ATTENTION TO YOUR CASE
NO HOURLY RATES, ALWAYS A FLAT FEE
CLIENT CENTERED APPROACH TO YOUR CASE
BOARD CERTIFIED IN CRIMINAL LAW
OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL LAW
WHY HIRE THORNTON CRIMINAL DEFENSE?
Attorney Brad Thornton is a highly experienced and Board-Certified criminal defense lawyer. With his background as a former Chief Prosecutor, he has a unique understanding of the criminal justice system and is able to provide comprehensive and effective representation to his clients. He is also deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals receive fair treatment in court, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Brad Thornton is dedicated to helping his clients achieve the best possible outcome for their case, whether it is in San Antonio or elsewhere in South Texas. He recognizes the stress and anxiety that can come with being accused of a crime, and approaches his clients with compassion while keeping them informed at every step of the process. His knowledge and experience make him a strong advocate for his clients.
DWI with BAC over 15
FORMER VEHICULAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR
As a member of the District Attorney's Vehicular Crimes Team, in the county with the most roadway fatalities in the State, Brad Thornton was regularly dispatched to the worst types of DWI cases involving serious bodily injury or death. His years of experience and training on the most serious types of intoxication charges allows him to protect your rights! When you are looking for a DWI Lawyer in San Antonio DWI attorney, Brad has the experience you need on your side.
What is the legal limit for DWI in Texas
In Texas, the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for someone operating a vehicle is 0.08% or higher. Police officers have several ways to determine if someone is driving while intoxicated (DWI); these include breath tests, blood tests and urine tests. Breath tests measure the amount of alcohol in one's breath, which can then be compared to the legal BAC limit. Blood tests are also used to measure BAC levels; however, they are more invasive than a breath test and require taking a sample of an individual’s blood at a hospital or clinic. Urine testing is rare and is usually only used by Drug Recognition Expert who suspects drugs can also be the reason for intoxication.
What Happens if Your BAC is over .15
If you are arrested for DWI in Texas with a BAC of .15 or higher, the penalties and punishments will be more severe than a regular DWI. The penalties include a license suspension for up to two years, fines up to $4,000, jail time ranging from 30 days to 365 days in jail, community service requirements, and installation of an ignition interlock device on any vehicle owned by the offender. It is important to contact an experienced legal professional if you have been charged with a high BAC-level DWI in order to ensure all your rights are protected throughout the court process.
Can you fight the charges against you if arrested for DWI in Texas with a high BAC level ?
It may seem more difficult to defend against a DWI with such a high BAC but that isn't always the case. An experienced attorney may be able to provide a good defense by challenging the credibility of the arresting officer, disputing the accuracy of the breathalyzer test results and showing that other factors could've caused an elevated BAC reading. Very rarely do the results of a BAC and the intoxication level of someone on the officer's body camera match up and this can be difficult for a jury to swallow.
There are many legal and technical requirements that an officer must follow when conducting a breath test or blood test. If these requirements are not followed, the results of the test can be called into question and a good defense attorney will be able to exploit any missteps made by police during the arrest.
Implied Consent Laws in Texas
In Texas, drivers automatically consent to the testing of their blood alcohol content when stopped by law enforcement due to probable cause. Although this implicit agreement can be retracted upon request for a breath or blood sample test, it is still important that all motorists are aware of such laws before hitting the roads.
Refusing to provide a sample of your blood or breath for testing can result in additional penalties on top of the standard DWI charges. If you refuse to provide the sample, administrative punishments come into play as well. Officers can still obtain a search warrant and force you to comply with any sampling requests; thus it is essential that anyone facing such an arrest consults legal counsel right away and obtains expert advice regarding how best navigate their circumstances.