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Police say people who smoke weed have ‘green tongues,’ though there’s no scientific evidence

cMimi Coffey DWI Lawyer, Texas Weed, Texas DUI
Police say people who smoke weed have ‘green tongues,’ though there’s no scientific evidence.

From USA TODAY: Police say people who smoke weed have ‘green tongues,’ though there’s no scientific evidence. Police officers nationwide use the observation, among other signs, to justify probable cause and make arrests, specifically in DUI cases.

Police officers across the USA alleged in some DUI cases that people who recently smoked marijuana had green tongues. One specialized training program taught all around the world has law enforcement look for a “possible green coating”.

However, police point to no scientific studies that show marijuana causes someone’s tongue to turn green. These makes many criminal defense lawyers consider “green tongue” arrests to be arrests based on junk science.

“[If they convict someone], it should be . . . proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Bradley Myerson, a Vermont defense attorney. “Green tongue has nothing to do with marijuana ingestion, let alone impairment.”

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/11/07/green-tongue-marijuana-dui-cases-signs-of-smoking/2517018001/

More about Mimi Coffey

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 and is board-certified in DWI by the NCDD. She has been practicing for over 24 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 Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (UCW), Assault (including family violence), Theft and Possession charges
 
Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise CountyDWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI attorney Dallas CountyDWI attorneys Collin County and DWI attorneys Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW. 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.

Defending the Asleep at the Wheel DWI cases

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer

Mimi Coffey presents on Defending the Asleep at the Wheel DWI cases at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & the National College of DUI Defense Las Vegas DUI seminar (2019)

Mimi Coffey:  Mimi is board certified in DWI defense by the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD). She is a Regent with the National College of DUI Defense. She is the chairman of the NCDD Forensics Committee. Mimi is a frequent speaker at both national and state-wide seminars, including the above Defending Asleep-at-the-Wheel cases seminar. She is an experienced DWI attorney with a proven trial record (over 300 cases, with 80% of them being jury trials). Mimi has won the President’s Heart of a Champion Award from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) numerous times. She has also spoken at and been the course director for many TCDLA DWI seminars, and she has co-chaired the “Mastering Scientific Evidence” seminar in New Orleans for many years.

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI attorney Dallas County, DWI attorneys Collin County and DWI attorneys Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

Mimi Coffey At The Blood, Breath & Tears XXVI in Florida (2019)

Mimi Coffey is board certified in DWI defense by the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD). Mimi is a Regent with the National College of DUI Defense. She is the chairman of the NCDD Forensics Committee. Mimi is a frequent speaker at both national and state-wide seminars. She is an experienced attorney with a proven trial record (over 300 cases, with 80% of them being jury trials).

She even sued the Texas Department of Public Safety in federal court on the Texas DPS surcharge program. When the Pantego Police Department started using officers to draw blood in DWI cases. Mimi even sued the individual officer in civil court. She has won the President’s Heart of a Champion Award from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) numerous times. She has spoken at and been the course director for many TCDLA DWI seminars. Mimi has also co-chaired the “Mastering Scientific Evidence” seminar in New Orleans for many years. Mimi Coffey is the author of Texas DWI Defense published by Lawyers and Judges Publishing, now in its second edition.

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer

Here, Mimi combines DWI/DUI defense and the ethical concerns involved in representing a client who has someone else paying for the representation in her lecture. This is a complex legal question that many clients, and their families, might deal with during representation.

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer
Mimi and course director Michael Kessler

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

The New Fake Deferred Adjudication DWI Law

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer, Texas DWI, Texas DWI Deferred Adjudication

The New Fake Deferred Adjudication DWI Law

Warning

Don’t let The New Fake Deferred Adjudication DWI Law bill fool you. The uninformed may choose to get a fake dismissal not knowing it is fake. Mimi will analyze your DWI case during a full case evaluation and review all options to determine the best course of action.

What is it?

Before Sept. 1, 2019 there was no such thing as deferred adjudication for any type of DWI offense. Cases ended either in a DWI conviction, dismissal or reduction to a lesser charge (typically an “obstruction of a highway”).

Deferred Adjudication

A true deferred adjudication occurs when a defendant pleads guilty (or no contest, if allowed) to a charge. After successfully completing probation, the court dismisses the case. In other words, the State cannot use the case against you. True deferred adjudication is a second chance type of punishment. True deferred adjudication represents the carrot and stick approach. If one finished the conditions of probation (as if convicted for the offense), the reward is a true dismissal.

The Deferred Adjudication DWI law is Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42A.102, which says (in simple language):

  • The judge may grant deferred adjudication unless:
    • the defendant is charged with . . .
      • A DWI or BWI, and, at the time of the offense
        • the defendant held a CDL; or
        • the defendant had BAC of .15 or more
      • for a DWI which may be enhanced (i.e., a DWI #2 or higher even if negotiated down to a Class B)
      • A DWI with a child passenger, FWI (Flying while Intoxicated), Assembling an Amusement Park Ride while Intoxicated, or Intoxication Assault/Manslaughter

In other words, the DWI has to be a true 1st time offense (Class B Misdemeanor) and you must not be a CDL holder. Do not confuse this with eligibility for nondisclosure, though. If, at the time of offense, you had a BAC of .15 or more, you are ineligible for a nondisclosure even if you receive a lower charge. This is because nondisclosure eligibility is based on whether your case is punishable as a Class A or higher charge, not the actual punishment given.

Will I receive a true dismissal after DWI deferred adjudication?

The plain and simple answer is NO. The case still exists. Prosecutors may use it in the future in the same way as a regular conviction. In the old days, true deferred adjudications were unable for use against a person. But, the law changed. The DWI deferred adjudication is exactly like the family violence deferred adjudication in that it counts as a conviction for enhancement purposes.

How others use the deferred adjudications against you

Nowadays, apartment complexes, employers and licensing agencies use successful deferred adjudications against a person in the same manner as convictions. For example, applications ask for both convictions and deferred adjudications. Licensing agencies are even barring people from certain vocational licenses due to deferred adjudication. For example, a dental hygienist trying to renew their license must report any conviction or deferred adjudication as part of the renewal process. In other words, a dental hygienist might lose their career despite deferred adjudication meaning there is no actual finding of guilt. This might also mean that a mechanic or shop owner can’t even have a license to inspect cars if on DWI deferred adjudication (barred for 10 years as mentioned in the statute below).

https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage? sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=37&pt=1&ch=23&rl=5

“(g) For purposes of this section, a [conviction occurs] when [the court enters an] adjudication of guilt or an order of deferred adjudication for the offense . . . against the person by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges. We can also help you try to seal your record or avoid probation revocation.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

Texas Has a Real Problem with Forensic Testing Accountability

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer, Texas Blood Draw, Texas Forensics

Texas Has a Real Problem with Forensic Testing Accountability

An El Paso Texas Department of Public Safety forensic analyst faked 22 blood results and the Texas Forensic Commission finds she was negligent. Faking blood results is not mere negligence. It is criminal and can ruin the lives of many. Let’s break this situation down to clarify the issue . . .

What went wrong?

A Texas Department of Public Safety forensic analyst, Ana Lilia Romero, had 22 blood samples to retest. Instead, she did a cut and paste job of the earlier test results. This is criminal misconduct, no mere negligence. Negligence occurs, for example, when you accidentally forget to record the storage room refrigerator temperature because you were in a hurry. Criminal Misconduct is reporting results for 22 tests that you did not perform.

Why not count the first lab results?

Well, protocol required that she retest the 22 blood samples because of equipment failure. Equipment failure is, obviously, a serious issue that can affect the results of a blood test.

Who would actually go so far as to fake lab results?

The general population would tell you that no one would. Many of these same people would also tell you that if anyone ever did, the lab should fire them. Well, this pattern of criminal misconduct exists at the Texas Department of Public Safety. This is not the first time Texas DPS caught an analyst faking results or “dry labbing”. The Department did not fire the previous analyst, nor did they fire Ms. Romero (she resigned). Though accidents do happen, the important thing is to catch the mistake and fix it. Questions arose as to this analyst’s truthfulness when questioned about the incident under oath in a court of law. Texas DPS decided to reassign this analyst to a different lab rather than have him continue to do blood tests in the Texas DPS Garland laboratory.

What should happen after finding misconduct in forensic testing?

When this happens in other states, the district attorney notifies all affected people (tests run by the same analyst). Often, due to the malfeasance and lack of trustworthiness in the analyst’s work, a district attorney will choose to throw out the former tests.

What is happening in Texas?

The fact that the Texas Forensic Science Commission chose to find negligence, rather than misconduct, indicates that it is not willing to stop protecting its wrongdoers. The Commission exists to protect the citizens of Texas, not wrongdoers. https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/26/texas-forensic-science-commission-backs- finding-professional-negligence-el-paso-blood-alcohol-test/2121471001/

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

The Serious Problems with Texas’ Breath Test Program

In my last trial, Tarrant County Criminal Court no.2, cause no. 1528525, the State’s expert readily conceded facts about Texas’ breath test program that are unacceptable.  

(fig. 1) The Intoxilyzer 9000

First, The Texas Department of Public Safety, a law enforcement agency,  runs the breath test program for the entire state of Texas. The Scientific Director for Texas DPS comes up with the regulations and oversees the program.  For scientific integrity, a law enforcement agency should never be in charge of forensic, scientific evidence. There are no checks and balances in this system. Power is very dangerous when it all rests in one body. Accordingly, there is a direct conflict of interest allowing the police to be in charge of forensic testing. President Barack Obama created a National Forensic Science Commission to come up with national standards for forensic science. After President Trump took office, he destroyed this body.  It is unwise and unsafe to allow law enforcement agencies to come up with their own standards. Therefore, we should leave science to the scientists.

The Intoxilyzer 9000

Second, Texas is now using the Intoxilyzer 9000. (fig. 1). CMI in Kentucky manufactures this breath alcohol estimator, also known as a breathalyzer. When purchased, it comes from the factory set to factory calibration. However, Texas DPS requires “in-house” re-calibration of each machine. If the manufacturer is producing an accurate breathalyzer, this is not necessary. If the manufacturer is producing an inaccurate breathalyzer, it is not acceptable that Texas uses these machines. This begs the question: What about the other problems in the machine that don’t relate to calibration?

Traceability

Finally, Calibration should always have traceability. For example, if I calibrate my scale at home and decide that all scales should be judged for accuracy based on my self calibration, it is incumbent that I prove my method is based on accuracy that is traceable. The United States has a department for traceability of measurements, known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).  In Texas, individual breath test technical supervisors are allowed to create their own reference solutions and they verify it by testing it on their own labs’ equipment (other breath test estimators or in house gas chromatography machines).  This is unacceptable, particularly when there is no independent, outside scientific group responsible for the estimators’ calibration. 

These are just the basic premise problems with Texas’ programs. The Texas Breath Testing program lacks accountability. Therefore, until there is separation between law enforcement and forensic science, we cannot expect accuracy. It is a fallacy for people to overlook foundational problems of breath testing and render life threatening decisions, such as jail or prison, among other possible consequences.

-Mimi Coffey

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

DWI’s Emotional Aspects

How it feels to have a DWI is something critically important to understand for anyone dealing with a person who has been arrested, whether that be for a family member, employer, etc. The amount arrests for a DWI every year is similar to the number of people diagnosed with cancer (approx. 1.4 million, although this number has been decreasing). A Top DWI Lawyer helps everyone by understanding what a DWI arrest feels like with true respect and empathy.

dwi

1. Trauma

Unlike with most other crimes, DWI arrestees did not set out to perpetrate a crime on society. This is a very important distinction.  People who get DWIs feel tremendous remorse and shame at the title “DWI” because they would never intentionally hurt someone. For most, it was an occasion of social drinking which ended in an arrest. The mere thought of being lumped in a category of causing intentional harm to others is a terrorizing feeling which humiliates people accused of DWI.

All it takes is the combination of alcohol and a small, innocuous traffic violation to find one’s self accused with the scarlet letters. An arrest is similar to an injury. At first there is shock. Then there is pain. Many people lose their jobs, their insurance, and some even lose friends and family (divorce, custody, etc.). Then comes the fear of the unknown while anxiously waiting for the legal process to unravel. No one punctures a lung and immediately heals. There is a diagnosis, medical intervention, and recovery.

Once a person gets arrested for a DWI, it is everyone’s job to recognize that they need understanding and unconditional support.  For example, a teacher doesn’t lose the ability to teach because of a DWI arrest. Their students need them to teach. The teacher needs understanding from the administration. This crisis is not one which involved any intent to commit a crime or harm. Everyone makes mistakes. It is therefore everyone’s obligation to extend the same courtesy, respect and understanding to others who commit a mistake. DWIs are typically mistakes of error, miscalculation and or oversight.  We help everyone when we give compassion and empathy to those accused of DWI.

2. Recovery

When people have a heart attack, most don’t see it coming. They suddenly find themselves in trauma. If lucky, they are able to recover at some point. The same thing applies for a DWI. If you ask anyone who has ever received a DWI if they predicted an arrest, they will tell you no. We don’t punish people before crimes occur. Much like an athlete who has surgery and returns to play, it our job as a caring society to ensure that those accused become productive again.

I would advise anyone who has a DWI charge to immediately seek a substance abuse evaluation and complete the recommended courses. It is important to take productive measures. Simple steps such as talking to a grief counselor or attending AA meetings are steps forward in a positive direction. It is important to stay focused on improving the circumstances. Recovery requires time, resources and commitment. Hiring a Top DWI Lawyer is a good first step in the recovery process from a DWI, but it is not the only step.

3. Be realistic.

No patient wants to hear their doctor tell them that their initial lab test results were wrong. Figuring out the facts, technical issues, strategy and options takes time. It is simply not possible to walk into a DWI Lawyer’s office and expect to know exactly what will happen at an initial consultation. Hiring a Top DWI Lawyer is a good move, but it is just the first step. It is vitally important to be stay focused on daily life: one’s job, one’s family, moving towards one’s goals. Keeping an optimistic attitude and following the advice of one’s lawyer is critical step towards recovering from a DWI.

Personal note:  I have been representing citizens accused of DWI for 23 years. It is a great privilege to help people as they are going through one of the most challenging times of their lives. I think it is critical to address not just the legal issues, but to do everything I can to personally counsel, support and encourage my clients.  I am inspired by the employers, friends, family members and who do the same. If you are going through a DWI, hang in there!  It will get better and you will be OK! Stay strong! – Mimi Coffey

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

DWI Repercussions on Driver’s Education

DWI Repercussion may prevent a parent from teaching his child

Getting a driver’s license is a major life milestone. Many see it as a right of passage in a person’s life. But there are repercussions if a parent has a DWI.

Signing off as a parent “instructor” for a person’s driver’s license involves many hours. Having a DPS agent tell your child they are ineligible for a license because of your prior DWI is embarrassing. Not to mention, a rejected driver’s license application because of this wastes many precious hours. Many teenagers are turning to their parents in modern times to satisfy the driver’s education requirement for a driver’s license. A DWI conviction or ALR suspension can prevent a person from qualifying as an “instructor” for parent taught driver’s education. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) now regulates parent-taught driver’s education, instead of the Department of Public Safety.

As a DWI repercussion, the regulations state that the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian appointed by a court does not qualify if they have not had a valid driver’s license in the past 3 years (e.g. an ALR suspension) or a DWI in the last 7 years. You will save yourself time and trouble by enrolling your student driver in a formal driver’s education course. Or, you could designate someone else who qualifies. For qualifications see: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/parenttaughtreqs.htm#instructor. Although this is a very unfair action penalizing the student driver, it is the law. It is also very helpful to know the other requirements to qualify as an instructor for parent driver education. For example, not having too many ‘points’ on your diving record.

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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), Theft and Possession charges.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

How I got into DWI Defense

DWI Defense
Ft. Worth Star Telegram article

I have been in love with defending DWI cases since I first started practicing law. When I graduated law school, I had no clue that I would become a board certified lawyer in DWI. As a brand new lawyer I handled court appointed cases. This turned into a job with the biggest criminal defense practice of the metroplex at the time back in 1995, Bailey and Galyen. I was responsible for half the firm’s Tarrant County misdemeanor docket, which was comprised of DWIs.

I knew early on that being a criminal defense lawyer was not enough to win DWI cases. So after reading an article on the problems with the Intoxilyzer 5000 by Dr. James Booker, I reached out to him to teach me. He was a true source of knowledge and inspiration for many years. I became fascinated by the fact that the standardized field sobriety tests police officers use do not legitimate science to back it up. A great scientific peer review study by Dr. Spurgeon Cole outlines these issues as well as the federal determination of the same in the Horn case. Delving into the complexities of infrared spectroscopy in breath testing was fun due to my scientific undergraduate requirements in geology (more hours in my minor Geology than my major).

Cowtown CLE

Being a young lawyer, I wanted to learn from the best so I contacted many of the best DWI trial lawyers at the time and invited them to speak at a Tarrant County Criminal Defense CLE. I had so much fun, that I decided to do it on a large scale. I started my own seminar company, Cowtown CLE. It was so successful that for two years in a row, my one-day DWI seminar had the most attendees. I had renown DWI lawyers teach. I was able to educate myself and a lot of lawyers in DWI. Once the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association started throwing the same seminar (in the same location and at the same time), I was happy to forego my seminar to help the state organization.

Since then, I have become published in DWI, both periodicals and a textbook. I have also spoken many times over the years on DWI all across the country. I have also provided national news commentary (on DWI and other criminal issues). Over the last 23 years, I have had over 300 DWI trials and thousands of negotiated DWI pleas. It is a true joy to go to work every day. I feel blessed with each opportunity to help someone accused of DWI.

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.

DWI Dismissal & Obstruction of the Highway

Mimi Coffey DWI Lawyer, DWI Dismissal, Obstruction

After a Texas DWI arrest, you are probably asking yourself the following questions:

  • Can I get my DWI dismissed? If so, how? How likely is dismissal of my DWI?
  • I have heard of people reducing their DWI cases to “obstruction of a highway”. What is “obstruction of a highway?” How likely is it to get an “obstruction of a highway?”
  • Will a DWI conviction be on my record forever?

At the Coffey Firm, we believe in straight talk. Mimi does not advertise “DWI dismissals” or “DWI reduced to Obstruction” for the following reasons:

  • Very few DWI cases result in DWI dismissals. A check with the county clerk in any county will confirm this. The percentage of DWI cases resulting in dismissal to the those resulting in conviction are very few. The numbers vary from county to county and are dependent on a host of factors. The Coffey Firm does get dismissals and reductions but these are very fact and case dependent. No one result of a particular case is any indicator of the probability of another case’s disposition.
  • Every DWI case stands on its own. It is not possible to “hear the circumstances” of a DWI case and assess its outcome. With every DWI, a full case review is necessary to determine the best course of action. A full blown case analysis includes discussing the facts as it relates to both sides, going over the police report and videos, and ascertaining the legalities of the situation. Also, to understanding the people and policies involved of the judge and prosecutor.
  • There are a host of possibilities that may occur when one moves forward for a trial or motion. These possibilities include options that would never occur in a plea bargain. We are happy to discuss these with you when you retain us to represent you on your case.

Obstruction of a Highway

Obstruction of a highway or passageway is a Class B misdemeanor. The implications in a DWI context is to reach a settlement of the DWI case to avoid a DWI conviction. Most people are desirous of avoiding a DWI conviction. It is important to note that many DWIs do not receive this option. What this means, how it looks, and the implications and conditions of an obstruction of a highway are something we look forward to discussing with you, should it occur, in the representation of your case. It is important to note that there are distinct advantages to having your case reduced to an obstruction of a highway.

Will a DWI Dismissal stay on my record permanently?

Sealing your DWI Dismissal

The answer to that case use to be yes subject to a pardon by the Governor. Now the answer is a very complex one depending on your past arrest records and the facts of your DWI situation. Once we have resolved your case, we can then determine your eligibility for any options that involve sealing or expunging your record.

More about Mimi Coffey

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 24 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 seal your record or avoid probation revocation.

Mimi is also listed on several “top” directory listings such as DWI Lawyers for Wise County, DWI Lawyer Tarrant CountyDWI Lawyer Dallas County, DWI Lawyer Collin County and DWI Lawyer Parker County. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in DFW, 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.