If you did not commit a moving violation and you were still pulled over and arrested for related DWI Offenses, you may have a strong defense in court. In some cases, unlawful traffic stops render all following evidence inadmissible in a court of law. However, you need evidence and a strong legal team if you expect to fight an unlawful traffic stop. Though you may not have been charged with driving while intoxicated, there are many more closely related charges that you may be currently dealing with. In Tarrant County and Fort Worth, crimes related to drugs, alcohol, and traffic violations are strictly enforced.
related DWI Offenses main Related DWI offenses can derail your life, ending your future before it even begins. If you’re concerned about your recent charge related to DWI and you need legal assistance, the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy are able to help. Led by experienced criminal defense attorney Richard McConathy, we help DWI charges in Tarrant County and surrounding areas. Call us today for details on our law firm and how we can help people like beat their charges. Whether your charge is a DWI or one of its many related offenses, hiring a Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer is paramount to your success. Doing this at the beginning of your criminal process can give you enough time to hire a quality attorney, and prepare a strong defense for your trial. Find out how we can help you with your related DWI offenses by contacting or calling the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today at (817) 422-5350. Our onsite legal experts can provide you with an initial consultation to learn more about your situation.

Common Moving Violations

In most cases, arrests for DWIs stem from police officers conducting traffic stops for common moving violations. Traffic violations include:
  • Compliance with Traffic-Control Device, Texas Transportation Code § 544.004
  • Passing in a No-Passing Zone, Texas Transportation Code § 545.055
  • Failure to Drive Within a Single Lane, Texas Transportation Code § 545.060
  • Following Too Closely, Texas Transportation Code § 545.062
  • Improper Turn, Texas Transportation Code § 545.101
  • Failure to Signal, Texas Transportation Code § 545.104
  • Failure to Yield Right-of-Way, Texas Transportation Code § 545.153
  • Speeding, Texas Transportation Code § 545.351
  • Failure to Display Lights, Texas Transportation Code § 547.302
An officer may observe any of these violations and later arrest you under suspicion of DWI, but it is important to remember that not every traffic stop is lawful.

DWI and Resisting Arrest

Resisting arrest is defined as deliberately impeding a police officer’s ability to arrest or detain a suspect. This typically takes place when a subject flees the scene after being approached by law enforcement. When this happens, you may wind up with both a DWI and a resisting arrest charge. This can be extremely hard for you to overcome when you don’t have the right legal experts behind you. If you still have yet to find a Tarrant County DWI lawyer to help you with your legal troubles, Richard C. McConathy is here to quell your concerns. As an experienced Fort Worth DWI attorney at the helm of one of the leading law firms in Texas, you can count on us when trouble strikes. We are fully committed to creating strong legal defenses for our clientele, and we diligently fight on your behalf every time we step into court. Call today for our free consultation.

Minor in Possession of Alcohol

If you are under the age of 21, you may be charged with a MIP (minor in possession) in the state of Texas if you are found with an alcoholic beverage. Even if you aren’t actively consuming alcohol and simply holding a beer can for someone, this type of charge can seriously haunt you. Not only can it change the landscape of your future job opportunities, but it may also compromise your future academic goals. MIP convictions can affect your academic standing, and they can also stop you from receiving future government assistance.

Open Alcohol Contained in Vehicle

According to Texas Penal Code Section § 49.031(b), it is against the law to knowingly possess an open container (containing alcoholic beverage) in the passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway, whether or not the vehicle is being operated, stopped, or parked. Each open container found in a single stop is considered a single and separate violation of the Texas open container law. Open container violations are considered a class C misdemeanor, but they can have much greater consequences when convicted in the state of Texas. Texas DWI enforcement is stricter than most states, and having this on your record can change your life for the worse, causing your entire life’s trajectory to change the moment you are convicted.

Public Intoxication

According to section 49.02 of the Texas Penal Code, an individual can be charged with public intoxication if they are in a public place and intoxicated to the point of potentially endangering themselves or other people. Public intoxication violations are usually punishable by a fine only, but repeat violators will face extremely strict penalties the more violations they commit. This crime is generally a class C misdemeanor accompanied by a fine of up to $500, but fourth and fifth-time violators will face fines up to $2,000 and up to 180 days of jail time.

Find A Tarrant County Defense Attorney for Related DWI Offenses | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy

DWIs and their related offenses can ruin your life if these convictions are packed onto your permanent record. If you’re someone who’s recently been arrested or charged with a DWI-related offense, the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy can help you. Led by an experienced Tarrant County criminal defense attorney in Richard McConathy, our firm is ready to help you fight your charges. Call (817) 422-5350 today to receive more information and initial consultation. ‍