Free Consultation713.864.9000

First DWI Offense in Texas

Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law
DUI Defense Lawyers Association Board Certified
National College for DUI Defense Board Certified
Super Lawyers 2013-2020
Super Lawyers Top 100 in Houston & Texas
Lawyer Scientist
Avvo 10/10 Rating
Avvo Clients' Choice Award
Board Certified Advocate in Criminal Trial Law by the NBTA Foundation
AV Preeminent
TCDLA
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
National Trail Lawyer
Super Lawyers Rising Star 2010-2013

You need an aggressive Houston DWI attorney

Even a first driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense can have serious consequences. In Houston, a driver convicted of a first DWI may face:

  • Fine up to $2,000
  • 3 to 180 days in jail
  • License suspension for 1 year

A surcharge of $1,000 per year may also be assessed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), or $2,000 per year if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .16 or greater. And if your BAC is greater than a 0.15, the case may be enhanced to a Class A Misdemeanor, which doubles the range of punishment and fines.

Thank you, Mark, for saving my career.

I’m in medical sales, so when I was wrongly accused and my career was on the line, I called the best: Mark Thiessen. Mark came highly referred to me from my friends. After reading his reviews on line and meeting him in his office, I knew I could trust Mark to fight for me. Every time he walks in the court the DAs, Judge and staff all greet him. I was honestly proud that was my lawyer when he came in.

Posted by Beau
View More Testimonials

Work with a Triple Board Certified DWI lawyer in Houston

If you’ve been arrested for DWI, an aggressive defense is your only option if you want to avoid a conviction and significant penalties. Thiessen Law Firm is committed to fighting for drivers across the greater Houston area, and we have a track record of success in this complex and challenging arena.

Backed by Triple Board Certified DWI specialist Mark Thiessen’s expertise in DWI law, breath and blood testing, field sobriety tests, local courts, and case law, we know exactly how to approach a case with each client’s best interests in mind. We will not settle for anything less than the best result possible.

For more information on our services and how our Houston DWI attorneys can help you, call 713.864.9000. We are available 24/7 and offer a free consultation to help you get started.

You have 15 days to save your driver's license

Act fast if you've been charged!

If you've been arrested for a DWI, you're facing two cases against you. The first one is a criminal case by the state of Texas, and the other is by the Texas Department of Public Safety to suspend your license.

Save Your License

How we fight for first DWI offenders in Houston, TX

With breath and blood test evidence, not to mention field sobriety test results, challenging DWI charges is no easy task. Our team is up to the challenge. We are armed with the expertise and information it takes to identify and expose violations of testing protocol, inherent issues with DWI tests, and violations of your constitutional rights. Our trial record of over 100 Not Guilty verdicts speaks for itself.

We ask the right questions:

  • Did the arresting officer have probable cause to pull you over in the first place?
  • Were you read your Miranda rights?
  • What factors influenced the validity of blood/breath test results?
  • Should breath/blood test evidence be rendered inadmissible?

We know how to challenge DWI charges:

  • Fighting blood and breath tests with science: While blood and breath tests are bandied about as being the ultimate proof of your guilt, the trust is that both types of tests (but especially breath tests) have accuracy issues. That’s why we say the common adage “Do Not Blow” is actually pretty bad advice. Mark Thiessen is not only a Houston DWI defense specialist but an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist as well. That means that Mark is specially equipped to identify and fight against invalid and/or inadmissible blood and breath test evidence.
  • Defending your rights during traffic stops and beyond: Simply put, the police don’t always do exactly what they should. This can mean anything from not reading you your Miranda rights to searching your vehicle without probable cause to drawing your blood without a warrant while you’re passed out in the hospital (the latter of which happened in one of our recent cases, Texas v. TP). At Thiessen Law Firm, we know your rights during a traffic stop and, if those rights were violated, we can argue that issue in court.
  • Establishing time of intoxication and fault: In many DWI cases, especially those involving those accidents and intoxication manslaughter, it’s important to establish when you were intoxicated. For example, if it cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that you were intoxicated at the time of a deadly accident, a jury shouldn’t convict you for intoxication manslaughter. Also important in cases involving crashes and death is determining the fault of the accident; if the accident wasn’t your fault or was unavoidable, DWI or intoxication manslaughter charges might not apply.
  • Our reputation precedes us: Thiessen Law Firm is a well-established and highly regarded law firm and home to one of the most renowned DWI lawyers in all of Texas, Mark Thiessen. We have built a strong reputation in the justice system and fierce connections with top subject matter experts throughout both Houston and the state.

What to expect when you call Thiessen Law Firm about your first DWI

Thiessen Law Firm provides free DWI case evaluations upon request. Once retained, Thiessen Law Firm is available 24/7 to help our clients fight DWI charges with expert, specialized representation. We are an extremely aggressive law firm that will fight relentlessly for your rights while also caring about your overall well-being.

In our experience, no DWI case is hopeless. Whether you are a first-time offender or have prior DWI convictions on your record, our Houston DWI lawyers are standing by to help you get your life and freedom back. Attorney Mark Thiessen is Board Certified in DWI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense and Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Need help? Work with a top DWI specialist in Houston at Thiessen Law Firm.

aggressive defense