Drug DUI

DUID Attorney in Collin County

Drug DWI Defense Backed by 13 Years in Collin County Courts

Texas has no separate statute for driving under the influence of drugs. Under Penal Code section 49.04(a), drug-impaired driving is prosecuted as DWI, the same offense as alcohol impairment. Section 49.01(2) defines intoxication as losing the normal use of mental or physical faculties due to a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, or any combination of those substances. Unlike alcohol, Texas sets no per se limit for drugs. The prosecution must prove the substance actually impaired your ability to drive, not simply that it was in your system.

McDaniel Law is a family-owned criminal defense firm physically based in Collin County, with more than 13 years of Texas criminal law experience. We defend DWI charges at every level, from first-offense misdemeanors to felony cases, and we evaluate clients for the Collin County DWI/Drug Court diversion program alongside building a courtroom defense.

Charged with a drug DWI in Collin County? Call our team today at (469) 960-4067 to schedule a free consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

A Valid Prescription Won’t Protect You from a DUID Charge

Many drivers assume a valid prescription shields them from a DUID charge. It doesn’t. The legal question isn’t how you obtained the substance. It’s whether it impaired your normal mental or physical faculties while you were behind the wheel. Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can support a DWI charge just as easily as an illegal substance if the state can show impairment. This surprises many clients, and it’s one of the first things we address when reviewing a case.

Penalties for a Drug DWI Conviction in Texas

Because drug-impaired driving is prosecuted under the same statute as an alcohol DWI, the penalty structure is identical. What you face depends on your prior record and the circumstances of the arrest.

First Offense (Class B Misdemeanor)
Up to $2,000 in fines, 72 hours to 180 days in jail, license suspension of 90 days to one year, a DWI education program, community service, and probation up to 24 months.

Second Offense (Class A Misdemeanor)
30 days to one year in jail, fines up to $4,000, license suspension up to two years, and a mandatory ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.

Third or Subsequent Offense (Third-Degree Felony)
Two to 10 years in prison, fines up to $10,000, and license suspension up to two years.

Aggravating factors can increase the charge. Having a passenger under 15 in the vehicle at the time of arrest elevates a drug DWI to a state jail felony, regardless of which substance was involved.

How Collin County Courts Handle DUID Cases

All Collin County DWI cases, including drug-impairment charges, are prosecuted through the District Attorney’s Office and heard in McKinney at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, no matter where in the county the arrest occurred. Misdemeanor cases go to the Collin County Courts at Law. Felony-level cases move to the District Courts.

One deadline is critical after an arrest: drivers have only 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to contest an automatic license suspension. Missing that window means the suspension proceeds without review. We can move quickly on ALR requests as part of every representation we take on.

Why Choose McDaniel Law?

Discover the benefits of our client-centered approach.

We prioritize your needs and work tirelessly for your best outcome. Your case is in capable hands.

Hardworking
McDaniel Law Group takes pride in providing you with the personal attention and aggressive representation you need to overcome the life-changing issues you're facing.
Free Consultation
Early intervention by an attorney may be crucial to effectively protect your freedoms, interests and constitutional rights. We offer a free initial consultation to learn more about your case.
Multiple Specialties
McDaniel Law Group provides representation for a variety of areas, including criminal law, juvenile law, mental health and DWIs.
Experience
McDaniel Law Group brings you highly skilled representation with over a decade of experience. During difficult times, your choice of an attorney is critical. Get our experience on your side.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Hear firsthand experiences from those we’ve assisted.

Our clients' testimonials reflect our commitment to personalized care. See how we've made a difference.

Exceptional Professionalism, Clear Communication, and Deep Expertise Throughout My Case
“Your team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, clear communication, and deep expertise throughout my case. You handled everything with great care and attention to detail, ensuring the best possible outcome for me.”

- Corey T.
Did an excellent job getting my son a very reasonable sentence.
“Did an excellent job getting my son a very reasonable sentence.”

- Lauren H.
Will always appreciate your work and advice!
“Thank you Mr. McDaniel for helping my husband with his situation. Highly recommend!!”

- Magaly A.
His professionalism, intelligence, and exceptional people skills were apparent throughout the process.
“Rogan consistently responded to my questions and concerns promptly, making me feel as though my case truly mattered to him. His professionalism, intelligence, and exceptional people skills were apparent throughout the process.”

- David B.
Very Responsive, Helpful, and Got My Case Closed Very Quickly
“This was my first time needing an attorney and I can’t recommend the McDaniel law group enough he was very responsive helpful and got my case closed very quickly I really appreciate everything you did for me and again I would highly recommend trying the McDaniel law group you won’t regret it!”

- Dante Z.
They Are Always There
“Rogan and Danny are amazing attorneys! Super informative and reliable, I could call them for anything and they are always there. If you need anyone to call, they are your guys! 10/10”

- Kenzie M.
Highly Recommend for Anyone Looking for a Seasoned Defense Attorneys!
“McDaniel Law Group were incredibly professional and honest through the entire process. I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a seasoned defense attorneys!”

- Ozan E.
Cannot Thank Him Enough For His Patience Through It All
“Rogan helped through it all. Step by step. Made me feel comfortable and not trapped he was a great deal to my case and I cannot thank him enough for his patience through it all.”

- Julio H.

View All Reviews

Our Approach to Drug DWI Defense in Collin County

Collin County prosecutors generally don’t offer plea reductions on DWI charges. That reality shapes how we build every case. Trial readiness and diversion-program eligibility are the two primary paths to protecting a client’s record, and we pursue both from the start.

Local Relationships & Courtroom Preparation

Founding attorney Danny McDaniel has developed direct professional relationships with local judges, court staff, and law enforcement throughout Collin County. Those relationships don’t guarantee outcomes, but they do mean we understand how individual courts operate and what arguments carry weight with the people who hear these cases.

We also take a broader view of each client’s situation. When substance use or mental health factors are part of the picture, we help clients connect with appropriate resources. That work isn’t separate from the legal defense. It often strengthens the case for diversion and demonstrates to the court that a client is taking the matter seriously.

The Collin County DWI/Drug Court Program

The Collin County DWI/Drug Court Program, administered through Collin County Court at Law No. 7, is a voluntary, treatment-based alternative for eligible non-violent offenders. Completing the program, which runs at least 12 months, may result in early probation termination and reduced penalties. Not every client qualifies, but we review eligibility for clients we represent on a drug DWI charge.

Get a Free Consultation with a Collin County DUID Lawyer

A drug DWI charge moves quickly, and the 15-day ALR deadline starts the clock the day of your arrest. The sooner we can review the facts, the more options we may be able to preserve.

Call McDaniel Law at (469) 960-4067 to speak with a Collin County DUID attorney today. We offer free initial consultations, with evening and weekend appointments available.

How Drug Impairment Evidence Is Built & Challenged

A drug DWI investigation typically unfolds in stages. The arresting officer may administer standardized field sobriety tests, including the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN), walk-and-turn, and one-leg-stand. Those tests were developed primarily to detect alcohol impairment, and their reliability for identifying drug impairment on their own is limited. That limitation creates opportunities to challenge the officer’s conclusions.

If the officer suspects drug involvement, law enforcement may bring in a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) to conduct a 12-step evaluation designed to identify impairment by drug category. Blood or urine toxicology testing typically follows, providing the chemical evidence prosecutors rely on at trial.

We scrutinize each stage. For field sobriety testing, we examine how the tests were administered and whether the officer held the required certification. For toxicology evidence, we review chain-of-custody documentation and the methodology used by the testing lab. Errors at any point in that process can undermine the state’s case. A positive result for a substance doesn’t automatically prove impairment at the time of driving, and we hold the prosecution to that standard.

Contact Us Today

At McDaniel Law, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (469) 960-4067 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

First Name
Last Name
Phone
Email
Are you a new client?
How can we help you?
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from McDaniel Law at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy