Tye, TX DWI Law Firms & Lawyers

I believe you're referring to the alcohol and substance abuse evaluation, usually referred to as ADES, and the VIP, or Victim Impact Panel. The evaluation determines what degree of education and treatment is required in your case if you are found guilty, and the Victim Impact Panel is a one-time seminar run by MADD or AAIM.

Good sense says that you're right. But courts are reluctant to dismiss a case for lack of reasonable suspicion, which is the legal standard for a permissible stop. Your best bet is to find an experienced lawyer to evaluate all the facts and represent you.

You are correct with respect to the range of punishment on a 1st DWI. However, there is a possible enhancement issue. If your breath/blood test is over a .15 they can enhance you. What that means is that you would be facing the same range of punishment someone would face for a 2nd DWI, which is up to 1 year in jail, and a $4K fine. If it's not the enhancement issue, and you have no priors, they may have your name in the TCIC/NCIC check mixed up with someone else's.  In my opinion, you shouldn't be asking about the range of punishment until you know if they can even prove their case, though. I always inform my DWI clients of the range of punishment. But, I also make sure they understand the most important thing to do is to see if their evidence is sufficient to convict you. If it's not, or if you don't know, you need to hire an attorney who can/will do that for you.