Murphy DWI Attorney

A Small City Surrounded by Borders

Murphy is only about six square miles, tucked between Plano, Wylie, Parker, Sachse, and Richardson along FM 544. A short drive in almost any direction crosses into another city, and sometimes another county. Richardson and Sachse both extend into Dallas County, so a stop a few minutes from home can become a Dallas County case with a different prosecutor and courthouse.

For arrests in Murphy, the case is prosecuted by the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and heard at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney.

Where Murphy DWI Stops Happen

Most stops are made by the Murphy Police Department on FM 544, Murphy Road, and SH 78, often for a minor violation like a rolling stop, a lane drift, or an equipment problem. The officer then looks for signs of impairment: the smell of alcohol, the answer to “have you been drinking?”, and how you get out of the car.

The First Two Weeks

1. Bond. A magistrate sets bond and conditions, which may require an ignition interlock device.
2. The license deadline. Request an ALR hearing within 15 days of the arrest notice, or your license is suspended automatically on the 40th day: 90 days for a failed test, 180 for a refusal, on a first arrest.
3. Confirm the county. Before anything else, your lawyer confirms where the stop happened and which county has the case.

Penalties

A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with 72 hours to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000; at 0.15 or more it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction adds a state traffic fine of $3,000 or more. Deferred adjudication is available for many first offenses, except at 0.15 or above or for commercial license holders.

A Former Officer and Prosecutor on Your Side

Al Rowland is a former police officer certified to administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and a former prosecutor in Colorado. He knows the questions officers are trained to ask, the clues they’re trained to look for, and how a prosecutor decides whether a case is strong enough to take to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was arrested just outside Murphy. Which county is my case in?

It depends on the exact location. Parts of Richardson and Sachse are in Dallas County. Your bond paperwork and arrest report usually show the county; your lawyer will confirm it.

Does a small-city police department handle DWI differently?

The law is the same, but each department has its own equipment, video systems, and procedures. Your lawyer should request that department’s specific records and policies.

Can I keep driving to work?

If a suspension takes effect, you may qualify for an occupational driver’s license, often with an ignition interlock.

Call Before the 15 Days Run Out

Call (469) 895-6555 or request a free, confidential DWI case review. Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, 6160 Warren Pkwy, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034. See also: Collin County DWI defense.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.