Hit and Run DWI Lawyer in Dallas

If you face hit and run DWI charges in Dallas, My Dallas Criminal Lawyer provides aggressive criminal defense representation. Our team of hit and run DWI defense lawyers in Dallas understands the serious consequences of these combined charges and works to protect your rights and freedom. Contact us online or call 214-949-4117 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

What Is a Hit and Run DWI Charge in Texas?

A hit and run DWI charge combines two serious criminal offenses: leaving the scene of an accident and driving while intoxicated. Under Texas law, when you cause an accident and fail to remain at the scene to provide your information and assistance, you commit a hit and run violation. When that same incident involves intoxication, the charges escalate significantly in severity and potential consequences.

Texas Transportation Code § 550.021 defines the duty to remain at the scene of an accident. If you cause property damage, bodily injury, or death, you must stop your vehicle, remain at the scene, and provide your name, address, vehicle registration, and driver’s license information to any affected parties. Failing to do so constitutes a hit and run offense. For more information on Texas traffic laws, consult the Texas Transportation Code.

When DWI enters the equation, prosecutors treat the case as a compound offense. This means you face charges for both leaving the scene and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The prosecution must prove two separate elements: that you operated a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher (or were otherwise intoxicated), and that you knowingly failed to remain at the accident scene. Understanding your DWI defense options is critical to building an effective defense strategy.

The distinction between property damage and injury or wrongful death cases matters significantly. A hit and run involving only property damage carries different penalties than one involving bodily injury or fatality. When combined with DWI, these distinctions become even more critical to your defense strategy. Our Dallas criminal defense attorneys can evaluate your specific situation.

Penalties for Hit and Run While Intoxicated

The penalties for hit and run DWI charges depend on the severity of the accident and whether injuries or deaths occurred.

Hit and Run with Property Damage Plus DWI

If your accident caused only property damage, a hit and run conviction is typically a misdemeanor. However, when combined with a DWI charge, you face potential jail time of up to 180 days in county jail, fines up to $2,000, and a mandatory driver’s license suspension of 90 days to one year. You also receive Driver Responsibility Program points, which increase your insurance rates and create a permanent record. The Texas Department of Public Safety administers these administrative penalties.

Hit and Run with Injury Plus DWI

When your accident caused bodily injury to another person, the hit and run charge elevates to a felony. Combined with DWI, this becomes what prosecutors call “Intoxication Assault.” A conviction carries 2 to 10 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and license suspension of 90 days to two years. You face mandatory probation requirements and substantial restitution obligations to injured parties. These serious felony charges require immediate legal intervention from an experienced DWI defense attorney.

Hit and Run with Death Plus DWI

The most serious scenario involves a fatality. This charge becomes “Intoxication Manslaughter,” a second-degree felony. Convictions result in 2 to 20 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and permanent license suspension. You also face civil liability for wrongful death damages. If you’re facing Intoxication Manslaughter charges, you need immediate legal representation of our hit and run DWI attorneys in Dallas.

Beyond criminal penalties, a hit and run DWI conviction creates collateral consequences. Your professional licenses may be suspended or revoked. Employment opportunities diminish significantly. Insurance becomes difficult or impossible to obtain. You carry a permanent criminal record that affects housing, education, and financial opportunities. Understanding probation revocation risks is essential if you’re already on probation.

How We Defend Hit and Run DWI Cases

What should you do after a DWI arrest in Texas? Defending against hit and run DWI charges requires attacking both elements of the prosecution’s case. We examine the DWI evidence while simultaneously challenging whether you knowingly failed to remain at the scene.

Challenging DWI Evidence

The DWI component of your charge rests on proving intoxication. We scrutinize breathalyzer and blood test results for calibration errors, improper administration, or contamination. Field sobriety tests often produce unreliable results, particularly when performed on uneven surfaces or in poor lighting conditions. We examine police dashcam and body camera footage to identify procedural violations during your arrest. Our DWI defense strategies include challenging the reliability of all chemical and field testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides standardized field sobriety test protocols that we use to identify deviations in police procedures.

Questioning Driver Identification

Prosecutors must prove you were the driver. We examine witness statements for inconsistencies or credibility issues. Vehicle identification evidence may be challenged if multiple similar vehicles were present. Security camera footage sometimes reveals alternative explanations for what occurred. Eyewitness misidentification is a leading cause of wrongful convictions, and we aggressively challenge these identifications.

Examining Accident Scene Investigation

Police accident reconstruction reports contain assumptions that can be challenged. We retain independent accident reconstruction experts to evaluate whether the evidence supports the prosecution’s theory. Skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and debris distribution tell stories that may contradict the state’s narrative.

Evaluating Witness Statements

Witness credibility matters significantly. We investigate witness backgrounds, potential biases, and whether their statements contain inconsistencies. Some witnesses may have poor visibility or limited ability to observe what actually occurred. Research from the American Psychological Association demonstrates how memory and perception affect witness reliability.

Identifying Unlawful Police Conduct

Police must follow proper procedures during traffic stops, DWI investigations, and arrests. Violations of your constitutional rights may result in evidence suppression. We examine whether officers had reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle, whether they conducted proper DWI investigations, and whether they obtained valid consent for searches. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure governs these procedures.

Why You Need a Dallas Hit and Run DWI Attorney

Hit and run DWI charges represent some of the most serious criminal allegations you can face. The combination of two distinct offenses creates complexity that demands experienced legal representation. Criminal defense attorneys at My Dallas Criminal Lawyer have successfully defended clients facing these charges.

Prosecutors approach these cases aggressively because they involve public safety concerns. They view hit and run DWI defendants as particularly dangerous—individuals who not only drove intoxicated but also abandoned their responsibility to assist accident victims. This perception influences how they handle plea negotiations and trial strategy.

The burden of proof rests with the prosecution. They must prove every element of both charges beyond a reasonable doubt. However, without proper legal representation, you may not understand how to challenge their evidence effectively. Early intervention by an experienced attorney protects your constitutional rights and preserves evidence that supports your defense.

Immediate legal representation matters because evidence degrades over time. Witness memories fade. Security camera footage gets deleted. Police reports may contain errors that become harder to challenge later. An attorney who acts quickly can preserve critical evidence and identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case before they solidify their narrative. Contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer for a free consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hit and Run DWI Charges

Contact Our Dallas Hit and Run DWI Defense Team

If you face hit and run DWI charges in Dallas or Fort Worth, contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer immediately for a free consultation. We evaluate your case, explain your options, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances. Call 214-949-4117 today to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who fights for your rights.