Imagine driving home after a long, exhaustive day.
Your eyelids are heavy.
Your reactions are slow.
Then suddenly, flashing lights beckon from behind. It’s a scenario familiar to many, but what follows could be a profound misunderstanding with severe legal implications.
Sleep deprivation can often mirror the symptoms of alcohol intoxication or DWI.
Texas law enforcement officers, vigilant against drunk drivers, might misinterpret these signs. The typical indicators—slurred speech, sluggish movements, and poor coordination—are not exclusive to alcohol consumption. A lack of sleep can cause similar effects.
You could be arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated for simply driving while tired.
At Tad Nelson & Associates, we have multiple decades of experience handling these kind of situations. We take pride in advocating for people who are wrongfully accused of DWI as a result of physical issues. If you have questions and need to talk with an experienced defense attorney, call us today at 979-267-6081.
We’re available 24/7. Schedule your free case review with our legal team today.
DWI Offenses & Texas Law
A Brief Overview
In Texas, DWI charges can have significant penalties in line with the severity of the offense. A first-time conviction can result in a fine of up to $2,000. Other consequences include Texas driver license suspension and even jail time.
Subsequent offenses are enhanced to a higher criminal classification. First & second DWI offenses are classified as misdemeanors, but a third drunk driving offense means felony criminal charges. If a minor is in the vehicle with you, the situation becomes worse.
Scientific Insights
The Physiology of Sleep Deprivation
From a scientific standpoint, the human body reacts to sleep deprivation in ways that can fool an untrained observer. The brain, when sleep-starved, doesn’t function optimally.
Decision-making suffers, reaction times slow, and cognitive abilities wane—much like the effects of alcohol intoxication.
This raises a critical point of contention during DWI assessments. Standard field sobriety tests may not differentiate between intoxication and fatigue.
Here at Tad Nelson & Associates, our legal team has a detailed scientific understanding of these matters, which gives us the ability to challenge such assessments and have our challenges respected by the court.
Defense Strategies
Distinguishing Fatigue from Intoxication
If an attorney is going to build a defense against a DWI charge where sleep deprivation is a factor, they better have a firm understanding of human biology. A defense strategy from this angle would mean demonstrating alternative explanations for behavior that might initially suggest intoxication.
In our practice, we’ve encountered numerous cases where individuals’ sleep deprivation was mistaken for intoxication. These cases often hinge on the arresting officer’s observations and the subsequent interpretation of field sobriety tests.
There have been more than a few occasions where we’ve successfully demonstrated the non-alcoholic origins of such symptoms. Our experience in this area has led to many acquittals and dismissed DWI charges.
Both Tad Nelson & Amber Spurlock are ACS/CHAL Lawyer-Scientists per the American Chemical Society. Few DWI lawyers in Texas have the credentials to challenge scientific evidence to the degree that we can.
Wrongfully Arrested for Drunk Driving?
Call Brazoria County DWI Lawyers Tad Nelson & Amber Spurlock today!
Beating a DWI charge in Brazoria County demands a smart defense strategy by a lawyer who can execute it flawlessly. This is especially the case when the lines blur between sleep deprivation and intoxication.
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we emphasize the importance of effective legal representation and the right to a fair assessment.
If you’ve got a DWI charge in Brazoria County, let us help you. We help people charged with DWI in Pearland, Alvin, Angleton, and throughout Greater Houston.
To learn more about your legal options, don’t hesitate to call us at 979-267-6081. Our team, led by experienced attorneys like Tad Nelson and Amber Spurlock, is here to provide you with comprehensive legal representation.
Schedule your 100% free consultation & case review today.
