DWI Lawyer Rockwall

The Law Firm of Patrick Short is dedicated to making the legal system work for individuals by providing experienced legal representation. The firm blends competent legal advice with human understanding and concern in helping its clients walk through what often can be a very stressful period in their lives.

Services:
The Law Firm of Patrick Short concentrates primarily in the areas of personal injury law and criminal law, at both the state and federal level.

The firm is up to date on the technology aspects of the legal profession and uses software programs and materials that augment and support the various staff members as they provide assistance to the attorneys. This invaluable support aids in accomplishing the firm's goal of providing excellent advice and representation both prior to and during the litigation of personal injury and criminal cases.

Criminal Defense

State & Federal Offenses
Misdemeanors
Felonies
Probation Violations
Juvenile Offenses
Parole Violations

Patrick Short

Patrick Short was born in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 1956. He was admitted to Texas bar in 1984.

He was also admitted to practice before all of the following:

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

Preparatory education

Baylor University (B.A., Psychology, 1979)
Legal education, California Western School of Law (J.D, 1982)

Certifications & Associations & Appointments

Board Certified, Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Board Certified, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Rockwall County, Texas, 1985-86
Member: Rockwall County Bar Association
College of the State Bar of Texas
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Christian Legal Society

Languages: Spanish and English

Texas DUI Law Highlights: BAC Levels and Implied Consent (Table 1)

State	"Per Se" BAC Level	"Zero Tolerance" BAC Level	Enhanced Penalty BAC Level	"Implied Consent" Law
Texas	.08	.00	.15	Yes

DEFINITIONS:
"Per Se" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
As of August 2005, all states have DUI laws that deem "per se intoxicated" any driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08 percent. This means that drivers with a BAC at or above .08 are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional proof of driving impairment is necessary.

"Zero Tolerance" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
All states carry "zero tolerance" laws that target drivers under the legal drinking age. These laws penalize persons under 21 for operating a vehicle with any trace of alcohol in their systems (a BAC above 0.0), or with negligible BAC levels such as .01 or .02 percent.

"Enhanced Penalty" Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Level
Many states impose harsher penalties on DUI offenders with a particularly high BAC at the time of the offense, typically .15 to .20 percent. DUI offenders with a BAC at or above their state's enhanced penalty standards will likely face additional jail time, harsher fines, and more severe driver's license sanctions.>

"Implied Consent" Laws
"Implied consent" laws require vehicle drivers to submit to some form of chemical test, such as breath, blood, or urine testing, if suspected of DUI. If a driver refuses to submit to such testing, implied consent laws carry penalties such as mandatory suspension of a driver's license, usually for six months to a year.

Texas DUI Law Highlights: Selected Penalties (Table 2)

State	Administrative License Suspension/Revocation (1st/2nd/3rd Offense)	Mandatory Alcohol Education and Treatment/Assessment	Vehicle Confiscation Possible?	Ignition Interlock Device Possible?
Texas	90d/ 180d/ 180d	No	3rd offense	in limited circumstances

Note: Persons arrested for DUI will be subject to additional criminal law penalties not addressed here -- including jail time, fines, and community service. Such criminal penalties are typically more discretionary than those identified in this chart, and are therefore more difficult to accurately predict. Generally speaking, first-time DUI offenders can expect to incur a fine, and face the possibility of jail time. Repeat DUI offenders will incur harsher fines, and will almost certainly be sentenced to a number of days in jail. Penalties will be harsher still if the DUI offender was involved in an accident in which someone else was injured or killed.

DEFINITIONS:
Administrative License Suspension/Revocation
The Administrative License Suspension/Revocation penalties indicated here refer to minimum mandatory penalties imposed on drivers whose BAC is above the state limit for intoxication, or drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing. Administrative suspension or revocation of a driver's license is usually carried out by a state agency (such as a Department of Motor Vehicles), distinct from any criminal court penalties. Most states impose harsher penalties for second or third DUI offenses, typically defined as those that occur within five years of a prior DUI offense.

Note: the penalties identified here do not include variations for DUI offenders operating commercial vehicles, or drivers who have violated "zero tolerance" and "enhanced penalty" DUI laws (see Table 1). Most states recognize different sanctions for these types of DUI offenses.

Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment
Alcohol education and treatment/assessment penalties for DUI offenders can include mandatory attendance at DUI prevention programs, and assessment of potential alcohol dependency problems. Such programs are often made "conditions" of a suspended sentence or probation, meaning that a DUI offender can avoid jail time and payment of hefty fines if he or she completes participation in the program. This chart indicates each state's utilization of alcohol education and treatment/assessment programs.

Vehicle Confiscation
Vehicle confiscation penalties allow a motor vehicle department or law enforcement agency to seize a DUI offender's vehicle, either permanently or for a set period of time. Such penalties typically apply only to repeat DUI offenders, and often the return of the vehicle requires payment of fines and significant administrative costs. This chart indicates each state's utilization of vehicle confiscation as a penalty for DUI.

Ignition Interlock
A vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device measures a vehicle operator's BAC, and will prevent operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (i.e. BAC level of .02). DUI offenders will usually be required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device. This chart indicates each state's utilization of ignition interlock devices as a penalty for DUI.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

TYPE OF CASES OUR FIRM HANDLES
I handle many types of cases to bench and jury trials including DUI, Criminal and Traffic.

WE THINK YOU SHOULD HIRE US IF:
You want a lawyer who will personally handle your file and will be available for consultation afternoons, evenings and weekends. I will fairly evaluate your case and determine the most favorable course. I will not hesitate to go to trial on your case; that decision, however, will ultimately be yours.

OUR FIRM IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
You are looking for a lawyer who will only tell you what you want to hear. I will work with you to honestly assess the facts of the case.

IF YOU WANT TO TELL OUR LAW FIRM ABOUT YOUR SITUATION YOU SHOULD:
I personally communicate with you whenever possible. If I am in Court when you call, you can leave a message. I personally guarantee you will hear back from me in 24-hours, or less - most often, much less. My office phone is (972) 771-1441.

THE TYPICAL COST TO GET US TO START WORKING ON YOUR CASE IS:
The cost varies depending on the allegation and facts of the case. A fee will be quoted at our initial consultation.

OUR CLIENTS WILL TELL YOU THAT:
My level of experience, knowledge of the law, and personal familiarity with the judges, prosecutors, and system is a great advantage. In addition my personal and regular contact with clients, availability and involvement with every aspect of the case bring the most favorable results.

OUR PHILOSOPHY ON HOW WE APPROACH OUR CASES IS:
Depending on the type of case I like to find out as much as I can about the facts of the case and talk to anyone who can help our defense. At that time we can discuss our options. The stronger our defense appears to the prosecutor, the better our chances are of getting a favorable result.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FIRM YOU SHOULD:
During our free initial consultation I will answer any questions. Please call (972) 771-1441.