A question we hear often is whether jail time on a first DWI is mandatory. The short answer is ‘not really’. The longer answer, though, is that any conviction is technically a jail sentence. The way DWI probation works is that the court sentences you to jail time, but probates that sentence and places you on DWI probation. However, for those wishing to avoid probation on a first time DWI conviction, the law requires a minimum of 3 days. Many courts require three full days (72 hours) and will not give 2-for-1 credit on these three days.

On occasion, the court will make jail time mandatory as a condition of probation. The good news is that for a first-time DWI, this rarely occurs. This mandatory jail time as a condition usually occurs on a second or third DWI. Even then, some courts allow alternatives for this jail time, such as DWI labor detail.

***You only have 15 days to request a license suspension hearing before losing your chance to avoid an automatic suspension. You must act quickly before time runs out. Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation.

More about Mimi Coffey & The Coffey Firm

When people look for a Top DWI Attorney or Best DWI Attorney, they look for experience, certification, and respect in the legal community. Mimi Coffey is a nationally-renowned trial attorney, board-certified in DWI by the NCDD. She has been practicing for over 29 years and is an author of multiple DWI Defense textbooks. She is also a national and state-wide lecturer on the law.

The Coffey Firm handles a wide variety of cases, including Unlawful Carrying Weapon (UCW), Assault (including family violence), and Possession charges. We can also help you try to get a DWI off your record or avoid probation revocation.

The Coffey Firm is also listed on several top criminal lawyer near me directory listings such as Wise County DWI Lawyers, Tarrant County DWI Lawyer, Dallas County DWI attorney, Collin County DWI attorneys and Parker County DWI attorneys. Mimi Coffey is a caring DWI Lawyer in Dallas – Fort Worth. She is also involved in the Texas Tech School of Law foundation and enjoys using the skills she has developed to give back to the community.

Compassion, Honesty and Expertise.

Mimi Coffey is a DWI lawyer who is passionate about helping people with arrest. Further, she has dedicated her entire career to defending people accused of crimes. Although many defense lawyers have been former prosecutors, she is proud of the fact her entire career has honed in on perfecting the art of the defense. Reputation and integrity matter, Mimi has built her reputation in the legal community through many years of hard work.

Alongside the years, came a wide array of factual scenarios in which to hone her craft. “I remember when a young man came to me who could not understand why his breath test was so high. Utilizing my training and research, we were able to prove his rare blood disease affected his hematocrit and therefore his breath result. No doubt, it is truly rewarding to so specialize in a field so that you can spot the outlier issues that can critically affect a case.”