Seasoned DWI & Criminal Defense Attorney in Baytown, TX

Located on the easternmost part of Harris County, Baytown is a small Texas city located near Galveston Bay. At over 70,000 residents, it is the sixth-largest city within the Houston metro area. The city is anchored by petrochemical processing plants within or nearby city limits. Generally speaking, the crime rate is lower in Baytown compared to the rest of the county. However, arrests still occur frequently. If you have been arrested in Baytown, you have the right to fight back against the charges you are facing.

In Baytown, the rate of violent crime is noticeably lower than the rest of Harris County as a whole. That said, arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) are a common occurrence. Regardless of the type of charge you face, there are significant benefits in hiring an experienced defense lawyer.

If you are ready to fight back against your criminal charges, contact attorney Doug Murphy right away. Doug Murphy has earned a reputation as one of Houston's elite criminal defense lawyers. He is one of only two attorneys in the State of Texas who is Board Certified in both DWI defense law as well as criminal defense law. These certifications take skill and experience to acquire, making them a great indicator of an exceptional defense lawyer.

If you were placed under arrest in Baytown, you have the right to defend yourself in court. However, the State of Texas will bring their full weight to bear in your prosecution. Even the playing field by choosing the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C.

What Happens if I am Arrested for DWI or Another Crime in Baytown, Texas?

You will be taken to the Harris County Jail Inmate Processing Center following your arrest in Baytown, regardless of the law enforcement agency that takes you into custody. Every person arrested in Harris County is processed at this facility, located at:

Harris County Jail Inmate Processing Center
700 N. San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002

Upon arrival, you will be booked into jail. If you are facing minor charges, you could be released on your own recognizance. This means that, without having to pay a bond, you could be released on a promise to return on your court dates. In more serious cases, you could be held in jail until your arraignment.

An arraignment is the initial hearing during your criminal case, where you will have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty. The judge could also grant you bail, allowing you to exit jail pending trial. Pleading guilty at your arraignment is never in your best interest, as you give up your right to a trial or to even speak with an attorney. When you plead not guilty, you buy yourself additional time to discuss your options with a skilled Houston defense lawyer.

What is the Punishment for a Baytown DWI Conviction?

The severity of punishment following a Baytown DWI conviction depends on your prior criminal history. First-time offenders face misdemeanor charges that rarely include additional jail time. For third-time offenders, however, a conviction could result in a lifetime designation as a convicted felon. The penalty for such a conviction could include years behind bars and thousands of dollars in fines.

In addition to these penalties, there are some collateral consequences at stake as well:

• Suspension or revocation of a professional license, e.g., pilot's license, nursing license, medical license, teaching license, real estate license, or CPA license
• Loss of security clearance
• Suspension or revocation of a commercial driver's license (CDL)
• Difficulty finding a job in the financial sector
• Difficulty finding good housing
• Difficulty traveling outside the country
• Difficulty with child custody
• Difficulty obtaining loans
• Difficulty getting into a higher educational institution
• Loss of the right to vote
• Loss of the right to own a firearm

The consequences following an arrest and conviction can impact some professions more than others. Common Baytown professions that could face serious consequences with a DWI conviction include:

• Doctors and surgeons
• Petrochemical engineers
• Truck drivers
• Teachers
• Oil executives
• Real estate agents
• Librarians

Reach out to a Baytown, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Right Away

When it comes to building a strong defense to the criminal charges you face, there is no time to waste. The prosecutor in your case will not delay in building the case against you, so it is in your best interest to avoid delay. To begin the process of defending yourself against these charges, contact the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. today at 713-229-8333. The initial consultation is always free and allows you to get answers to any questions you have regarding the charges you face.