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If you are facing DWI, assault, sex crime, or other criminal charges, get in touch with My Dallas Criminal Lawyer to learn about your legal options.
When you face DWI charges in Frisco, Texas, your future hangs in the balance. A conviction can result in jail time, substantial fines, license suspension, and long-lasting consequences that affect your career, family, and reputation. A DWI is considered a criminal offense under Texas law, making it a serious charge with significant legal consequences. At My Dallas Criminal Lawyer, attorney Justin Wilson brings the advantage of former prosecutor experience to defend your rights in Collin County courts.
In 2025, readers of The Dallas Morning News voted our firm the Gold Winner for Best DUI | DWI Lawyer in the Best in DFW People’s Choice Awards.
Our Frisco DWI defense team focuses on criminal law matters, defending clients against DWI and other criminal charges. We understand the details of Texas DWI law and the local court system. We have defended clients throughout Collin County, working toward dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and favorable plea agreements. With law offices in both Dallas and Frisco, we provide convenient, accessible representation when you need it most.
Don’t let a DWI charge derail your life. Contact us at 214-764-5535 for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your defense options.
Attorney Justin Wilson’s background as a former prosecutor provides valuable insight into how the state builds DWI cases. This prior experience can help us identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that other attorneys might not focus on. We understand prosecutor strategies, know how they evaluate evidence, and can anticipate their moves throughout the DWI court process. This prosecutorial experience has helped develop professional relationships within the Collin County legal community, including judges and prosecutors. These relationships, built on mutual respect and credibility, can be helpful during plea negotiations and court proceedings.
Our recent case results demonstrate our commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for our clients:
We are familiar with local judges and prosecutors, understand their preferences, and know how to handle the Collin County court systems effectively. This local knowledge can be valuable when developing defense strategies and negotiating with prosecutors.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and results depend on specific facts and circumstances.
Our Frisco office at 5 Cowboys Way STE 300, Frisco, TX 75034, provides easy access for residents throughout Collin County. We also maintain our Dallas headquarters, giving us the resources and reach to handle DWI cases while remaining accessible to our Frisco clients.
We offer 24/7 availability for urgent matters, understanding that DWI arrests often occur outside normal business hours. When you need immediate assistance, we are here to help.
Most Frisco DWI arrests happen in a corridor we know well, because our office sits in the middle of it. Frisco PD concentrates DWI enforcement on the Dallas North Tollway service roads near The Star, along Preston Road, and in the parking garages at The Star, where officers look for drivers asleep in running cars. And with the Texas DPS service contract with the North Texas Tollway Authority ending on August 31, 2026, we expect Frisco PD stops on the tollway main lanes themselves to increase after that date.
Frisco also handles testing differently than many nearby agencies. Frisco PD still routinely offers a breath test on the Intoxilyzer 9000 at the station in addition to blood draws at nearby hospitals, and refused tests are handled with search warrants that on-call judges can sign any night of the year. Everyone arrested for DWI in Frisco is booked at the Frisco City Jail at Stonebrook and Parkwood and sees a magistrate the next morning, seven days a week. Bonds for a first DWI typically run $500 to $1,500 in our experience, and posting bond while your loved one is still at the Frisco jail gets them out in about 30 minutes, compared to 6 to 12 hours after transfer to a county jail.
We wrote a complete walkthrough of the arrest process, from the traffic stop through magistration and bond, in our guide to how a Frisco DWI arrest actually works.
Under Texas law, a person commits DWI by operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. Intoxication means either a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, or the loss of the normal use of mental or physical faculties because of alcohol, drugs, or a combination. Commercial drivers face a 0.04 standard, and drivers under 21 face a zero tolerance standard.
Every element matters, because the State must prove each one beyond a reasonable doubt: your identity, the date, the county, that you were operating the vehicle, that it happened in a public place, and that you were intoxicated at the time you were operating it. That last phrase does more work than people realize. The question is never just whether someone was intoxicated at the station an hour or two after the stop. It is whether the State can prove intoxication at the time of driving, and in many cases, especially blood cases and parked car cases, that connection is the weakest link in the prosecution.
One more thing worth understanding: normal use does not mean perfect use. Plenty of completely sober people cannot walk a straight line heel to toe like a balance beam or stand on one leg for 30 seconds without a wobble. The law asks whether you had the normal use of your faculties, and a Frisco DWI lawyer who knows how these tests are actually scored can show a jury the difference.
Frisco sits on the Collin and Denton county line, and your case is filed in the county where the officer saw you driving. For most of the city, Legacy is the dividing line. That filing decision shapes everything that follows.
In our experience, Collin County DWI cases reach a first court appearance in roughly four months, while Denton County cases often take around eight. That gap matters most for anyone with an ignition interlock as a bond condition, because you get no credit for bond time and the device stays until the case resolves. First plea offers also differ: Denton County prosecutors typically open at 20 to 22 months of probation with a conviction, while Collin County offers usually start in the 15 to 18 month range and are more negotiable, including on community service. Interlock waivers on deferred adjudication are realistic in a meaningful share of Collin County courts and rare in Denton County. And the counties differ on charge reductions: Denton County prosecutors can offer obstruction of a highway on a DWI, while the Collin County District Attorney’s Office has a long standing policy against it.
Neither county is simply better. They reward different strategies, and we build each case around the courthouse it will actually be decided in. The full breakdown lives in our guides to DWI in Collin County and interlock devices and deferred adjudication in Collin and Denton County.
A DWI arrest starts two cases: the criminal case and a civil license suspension case with the Department of Public Safety, called an ALR. If you refused testing or blew 0.08 or higher, you have 15 days from the arrest date to request the ALR hearing, and the arrest date counts as day one. Miss it and the suspension happens automatically. In consensual blood cases the deadline runs instead from a mailed notice that often arrives with much of its 20 day window already gone.
We request the ALR hearing the day we are hired, in every case, because there is no penalty for requesting early and no recovery from requesting late. But the license fight is only half the reason. The ALR hearing puts the arresting officer under oath, on the record, months before the criminal case is decided. The officer must be subpoenaed by the defense, and when a properly subpoenaed officer fails to appear, DPS must dismiss the license case outright. In our experience that happens roughly a third of the time. When the officer does appear, we get sworn testimony we can hold against the State’s case for the rest of the prosecution, including at trial. It is the single most underused tool in DWI defense, and we use it in every case we can.
Every case we take gets the same evidence review, built from my years prosecuting DWI cases in Collin County, my certification in administering the standardized field sobriety tests, and the DWI investigation training I taught at the police academy.
We start with the report, reading it the way a former prosecutor reads it: for what is missing, and for claims the video will not support. Reports are written to justify an arrest, and it is common to find a report describing red watery eyes, slurred speech, and stumbling that the cameras simply do not show.
Then we work through every video, phase by phase. On the dash camera, we test the stop itself: whether the officer actually observed a traffic violation before the lights came on, or whether the justification appeared after the fact. When the encounter started with a 911 call instead of a stop, we test whether the caller’s facts were legally enough to detain anyone. On the body camera, we time the eye test pass by pass against the NHTSA standards, look for the flashing reflections around The Star that can create false nystagmus, and compare our client’s walking, balance, and answers against what the report claims. We watch the statutory warning word for word, because anything short of clear consent to testing is supposed to be treated as a refusal, and an officer who talks someone into consenting with inaccurate license advice has handed us a suppression issue. And we watch the parts most people skip, the quiet hour after the arrest, because that is where warrant and paperwork mistakes hide. In breath cases we verify the required 15 minute observation period was actually observed. We have won trials, including Frisco cases, on exactly that mistake.
When that review finds a constitutional problem, we litigate it. Winning a motion to suppress on the stop takes the entire investigation out of the case, and at that point the State usually has nothing left to prosecute with.
Anyone researching a first DWI eventually asks the same question: I have a clean record, why will they not just dismiss it? The honest answer is structural. The State of Texas publishes DWI prosecution statistics for every county, tracking arrests, filings, convictions, and dismissals as their own categories, and those numbers are watched closely. As a practical matter, the Collin County District Attorney’s Office would rather try a difficult DWI than dismiss it, and a clean record alone has never been enough.
That reality dictates our approach. Favorable outcomes in Collin County DWI cases are earned through leverage, and the leverage comes from two places: a genuinely winnable suppression issue, or a case that is truly ready for trial. All seven Collin County misdemeanor courts hear DWI cases, judges hold both sides to their trial settings, and continuances are limited. When we announce ready and the State cannot go, cases get dismissed. When we announce ready and the State can go, the offers change, because our case is the one they have to actually try. Being ready is not a bluff we make. We try DWI cases to juries, and we have the not guilty verdicts to show for it.
Short of dismissal or acquittal, that same leverage wins reductions that change lives: a 0.15 case reduced below the enhancement so deferred adjudication and a future sealed record become possible, or a DWI second reduced to a first, which removes mandatory jail time as a probation condition and can avoid the additional one year license suspension that Penal Code Section 49.09(h) stacks on top of the ALR suspension when the prior DWI falls within five years. Those outcomes come from finding the specific weakness that makes a prosecutor decide our case is not the one to try that week, and then pairing it with who our client actually is.
A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor carrying 72 hours to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, and a license suspension of up to one year. A blood or breath result of 0.15 or higher enhances the charge to a Class A misdemeanor, with up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, and a mandatory ignition interlock. A second DWI is also a Class A misdemeanor with enhanced consequences, and a third DWI is a felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A DWI with a child passenger under 15 is a state jail felony. On top of the criminal fines, Texas adds a statutory fine of up to $6,000 for high BAC cases.
The number that matters most, though, is the one that never expires: a conviction for a Class A or felony DWI can never be sealed from your record. That is why the difference between a conviction, a deferred adjudication on a reduced charge, and a dismissal or acquittal is worth fighting for, and why the decisions made in the first weeks after a Frisco DWI arrest, by you and by the attorney you choose, echo for decades.
We have published detailed, first-hand guides to this exact court system. Start with our step-by-step guide to how a Frisco DWI arrest actually works, from the traffic stop to magistration and bond at the Frisco jail. And if your case was filed outside Frisco, our Collin County DWI lawyer page covers the whole county. Our complete guide to DWI in Collin County covers magistration by agency, bond conditions, the PBT trap, ALR strategy, and how outcomes really get negotiated here. If you are weighing deferred adjudication, read our guide to interlock rules for DWI deferred adjudication in Collin and Denton County. For proof of what preparation does at trial, see our recent case result: Plano DWI jury trial, not guilty. And our guide to defending a criminal case in Collin County explains the system your case will travel through. And for a phase-by-phase look at a real DWI stop through a defense lawyer’s eyes, read our analysis of the Tony Romo OWI arrest bodycam video.
A sample of recent DWI outcomes across the counties we serve. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
The reviews below were posted by our clients on Google. Each one links to the original so you can verify it for yourself.
“Great attention to detail. Justin and Kim did an excellent job keeping me and my case on track every step of the way.”
“Knowledgeable, patient, listened to what my situation needed. Impressed with my Attorney and his service.”
“I was really impressed with lawyer Kimberly Palmer’s work ethic and attention to detail!! She was exactly what I needed in such a low time of my life, and her professionalism really got me to a resolution that I could grow from with my case. I hope that I will not need her services again, but should I, I know who to call!!”
Contact an attorney as soon as possible. You have only 15 days to request an ALR hearing to try to prevent automatic license suspension. Early involvement can help preserve important evidence and protect your rights throughout the process.
Yes, but refusal triggers potential automatic license suspension under implied consent laws. The refusal can also be used as evidence against you in court. An attorney can help you understand the implications and develop appropriate defense strategies.
Second DWI offenses carry enhanced penalties including up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, and possible mandatory ignition interlock device requirements. You need representation to try to minimize consequences and explore all available defense options.
Legal fees vary based on case complexity and the services required. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and provide transparent fee structures. Consider the potential costs of a conviction compared with the value of quality representation when making this important decision.
Dismissal can be possible in some cases with appropriate defense strategies. We have obtained dismissals by challenging evidence, asserting constitutional violations, and identifying prosecution weaknesses. Each case is unique and requires thorough analysis.
Not automatically. You must request an ALR hearing within 15 days of arrest. We can represent you at this hearing and may be able to help you seek an occupational license if a suspension occurs.
You should not plead guilty without consulting an attorney. DWI convictions have lasting consequences that extend far beyond immediate penalties. We may be able to pursue dismissal, reduction, or favorable plea terms through focused representation.
Texas primarily uses DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) for adult offenses. DUI typically applies to minors under 21 with any detectable alcohol. Both charges can carry serious consequences, and legal representation is important to protect your rights and future.
A first-time DWI begins as a Class B misdemeanor. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below 0.15, the charge will remain a a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to six months in jail or up to two years of probation and up to a $2,000 fine. Your license may be suspended for up to a year. However, an experienced attorney can work to protect your rights and keep your license.
If your BAC is 0.15 or higher, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties are more severe, including up to a year of jail time, $4,000 in fines, and a mandatory ignition interlock device. You may lose your license for two years and attend DWI education. We challenge chemical tests and observational evidence to protect your record.
A second DWI is also a Class A misdemeanor. In addition to jail time, license suspension, and fines, convictions can result in community supervision and DWI education for repeat offenders. We dig into your prior case to challenge its use as a prior conviction and work to reduce penalties wherever possible.
Certain circumstances turn a DWI into a felony, including: A third or subsequent DWI offense, Causing serious injury (intoxication assault), Causing death (intoxication manslaughter), Driving drunk with a child under 15 Felony DWIs can lead to years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. We build comprehensive defenses and fight to reduce or dismiss your charges whenever possible.
Driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 in the vehicle is a state jail felony. Penalties include up to $10,000 in fines and up to two years in state jail. Worse, these charges often lead to CPS involvement, which can result in the loss of your custody rights. Our firm works quickly to protect your rights as well as your family relationships.
If you were driving while intoxicated and caused serious bodily injury, you can be charged with intoxication assault. This is a third-degree felony that can result in up to a decade in prison, $10,000 in fines, and a long-term license suspension. We can examine accident reports, challenge expert testimony, and review medical records to fight this serious accusation.
Intoxication manslaughter applies when someone dies due to a DWI-related crash. This second-degree felony is punished by up to 20 years in prison, $10,000 in fines, and long-term license revocation. Because the consequences are life-altering, we aggressively investigate and advocate for the best possible outcome.
Though not technically a DWI, public intoxication is still a criminal offense. You can be charged if you’re in public and intoxicated enough to be a danger to yourself or others, even if you never get behind the wheel. Bars, restaurants, and common areas in apartment buildings are all considered “public” under the law. If convicted, you’ll face a $500 fine and possible overnight detention. However, even minor Class C misdemeanors will show up on background checks. We work to resolve the charges without a conviction whenever possible.
Collin County
May 2026
Dismissed
Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member
Collin County
May 2026
Dismissed
Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member Class A
Collin County
May 2026
Dismissed
Robbery
Collin County
April 2026
Dismissed
Tampering with Evidence
Collin County
April 2026
Dismissed
Assault Family Violence
Collin County
April 2026
Refused
Assault Family Violence
Denton County
March 2026
Refused
Continuous Assault Family Violence
Collin County
April 2026
Dismissed
Tampering with Evidence
Eddie C.
Justin is a truly talented lawyer. His ability to think critically, and analyze quickly, are just a couple of traits that make him an excellent advocate for anyone charged with a crime. I’ve sat next to him in the courtroom and it is truly amazing to see him connect with a jury. He is an absolute pro.
Kamran V.
This law firm did an outstanding job for me. From start to finish, they were professional, knowledgeable, and supportive. They delivered exactly what they promised, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs legal help.
Thomas A.
Justin Wilson and Justin Harris were amazing. Highly recommend them.
Lybbie
I trust Justin for any legal related questions and he certainly delivers. I recommend him 100% as he is committed to you from start to end- no matter the situation.
Cristal D.
Absolutely the best team you could ask for. From start to finish, the entire office was professional, compassionate, and truly dedicated. They made me feel heard, respected, and confident during one of the most stressful times of my life. Their communication was consistent, and you can tell they genuinely care about their clients and their outcomes.
If you’re looking for a lawyer who is sharp, honest, and will fight for you like it’s personal – this is the team you want on your side. I can’t thank them enough for everything they did. They truly are the best in the business.
Natalie M.
Justin Harris was an exceptional lawyer- he is hardworking and dedicated and will reach your needs and more.
He was reliable and professional in every way. He makes sure that you are not only heard but seen. When working with Justin- it gave me strong trust that he cared and that he is a man of his word.
Highly recommend this law firm. Justin and the team handled my case with the upmost care, always kind and professional, and let me know all the details every step of the way.
Prof. Carlos R.
My first impression with Justin and Heidi was that they are a first class law firm, very professional and very open to answering questions and making a person feel appreciated. I am glad I met both at Formation in Frisco Texas.
Alex C.
I have come to know Justin and his team through my practice as a civil lawyer, and Justin has always impressed me with the way he treats his clients, and his ability to clearly explain options. He works tirelessly to be prepared for all his cases, and always treats others with professionalism and respect.
Joshua J.
Justin is a super professional lawyer with positive results. I would refer Justin to any one who needs help with anything. Justin gets it done with positive results.
Yoker V.
I highly recommend Justin 100%, the total positive experience started the moment we first spoke. Justin is a complete and total professional and a highly skilled lawyer outside and especially inside the courtroom. My case had its challenges but Justin skillfully did his research and presented the court and jury a master class. At the end of the trial the judge looked at the prosecutor and said, ” That’s how it’s done.” YLV
Don’t face DWI charges alone. Our experienced team offers comprehensive case evaluations at no cost, providing honest assessments of your case strengths and challenges, clear explanations of legal options, and transparent fee discussions with no hidden costs. We understand that legal emergencies don’t follow business hours, which is why we provide immediate response to urgent matters, weekend and evening consultations, emergency jail release assistance, and 24/7 accessibility when you need us most.
You can reach us multiple ways: call 214-764-5535, visit our Frisco office at 5 Cowboys Way STE 300, Frisco, TX 75034, or use our online contact form available 24/7. When you contact our firm, expect a timely response to your call or message, a free consultation to discuss your case with no obligation, development of a case strategy tailored to your situation, and aggressive representation fighting for the most favorable outcome possible.
Your future is too important to leave to chance. Contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer today at 214-764-5535 to schedule your free consultation and begin building your defense against DWI charges in Frisco and Collin County.
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
