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Driver License Suspension AND DWI

Driver License Suspension and DWI can be a serious situation for Texas residents. If you were arrested for or charged with DWI in Houston, TX you should consider a professional DWI attorney to help aid your defense.

If an officer pulls you over for any reason and believes that you are impaired, they may ask you to perform a set of field sobriety tests. Failing or refusing to take these tests may result in your arrest for DWI. If you refused, or if you failed a blood or breath test after your arrest, it’s possible that your driver’s license will be suspended as well.

What does a DWI And Suspended License Mean?

A driver’s license suspension can last from 90 days to 2 years and may result in an automatic 1-year disqualification for any sort of commercial driver’s license. 

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety:

“Driving while license suspended (DWLS) is a misdemeanor and has a punishment range of 3 days to 180 days in jail and/or a fine from $100 to $500. A new offense is committed every time a person drives DWLS. Each of these punishments may be probated.”

THE OCCUPATIONAL DRIVER LICENSE (ODL)

In the event your license is suspended, you may apply for an occupational driver’s license (ODL), which places limits on your driving. You will be limited in where you can drive, generally by county. Additionally, to acquire an ODL, you may need to demonstrate “good cause” — that means you require a license for getting to and from work, taking children to school, or running necessary errands such as going to the grocery store or doctor’s appointments.

You will also be required by the court to install an alcohol interlock device on your vehicle, which can prevent your car from operating if the system detects alcohol in your breath.

ALR Hearing and How To Get Your DL Back

In some circumstances, you can petition for an ALR hearing in an attempt to reinstate or avoid the driver’s license suspension.

According to the Texas Department of public safety:

Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Program is a civil administrative process unrelated to criminal court proceedings. The ALR Program applies to individuals arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) and refuse to take or fail a blood or breath test.

Ross “Maverick”
Mr. Trichter and the entire staff was extremely knowledgeable, professional, caring and compassionate. Mr. Trichter has an immense amount of knowledge. Including the details and specifics of dealing with the FAA after an arrest. As a fellow aviator and aviation enthusiast there is connection and passion that is priceless. Anytime I had a question or concern I knew I could reach out and have a reliable and caring person to help me. The end result of the case was favorable but more importantly the personal growth I obtained with the help of Mr. Trichter is something I will have for the rest of my life. I am so thankful I chose Mr. Trichter to represent me.
Ross “Maverick”
27/10/2022
Brandon Baker
If you are in search of a good lawyer, or having doubts about choosing one that will remain in your corner and back your play, I strongly recommend Mr.Gary Trichter, Mr.Trichter along with his legal staff were super beneficial and helpful to me when I needed help the most as a good DWI team they came together and got me through one of the darkest times in my life and I couldn’t be more appreciative and thankful, all the hard work and dedication from the Trichter law team, I would strongly recommend them to anyone In need of assistance for DWI or just a good lawyer to go to bat for you in your time of need.
Brandon Baker
18/09/2022
Paris Pshouq
Of course america, Mr trichter is the best lawyer I see ever .
Paris Pshouq
15/09/2022
Luke Fritz
I was referred to Mr. Trichter by a close family friend. Two of his family member had used him to represent them in their DWI case and were both very pleased with his work. After having Mr. Trichter represent me I can fully understand why. I can not express the amount of gratitude I have for him. He is an amazing attorney and the best at his job by far. But more then that he is an amazing person that truly care about his client. I will forever be great full for what he has done for me in helping me have my case dismissed. Thank you again Gary!!!
Luke Fritz
14/09/2022
Josh Reynolds
Aaron White was very helpful and detailed. Explained things to me every step of the way and was able to get my case dismissed. Thank you very much!
Josh Reynolds
24/08/2022
KM
I feel very fortunate to have selected Greg Houlton to represent me in my two DUI cases. My arrests occurred within three months of each other and I was sure I'd be facing jailtime, considering the circumstances of my arrests. It was a very difficult time and I was obviously struggling in my personal life. But within the first few minutes of meeting Greg, he made me feel very comfortable and insisted that I take care of myself, first and foremost, and let him deal with the legal proceedings. So that's what I did and Greg won both of my ALR hearings and got one of my cases dismissed. I received a year and a half of probation with no jailtime or significant fine. Greg by far exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. I can't say enough about Greg and his professionalism and the calming effect he had on me throughout this stressful period.
KM
01/08/2022
Air Wreck
Don’t think about it twice. If you need help with a DWI hire my man Leslie LeGrand!
Air Wreck
03/07/2022

ALR PROCESS

THE ALR HEARING EXPLAINED

In certain situations, you can request a hearing for an administrative license revocation to contest your driver’s license suspension. If you submit the request within the required 15 days, the DPS will send a letter to your recorded address. The letter will provide the date, time, and location of your ALR hearing. Make sure you allow up to 120 days for the hearing to be scheduled.

After the required 15 days, you’ll be notified by mail that your request has been denied. Hearings are then conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings. When the hearing is held, the Administrative Law Justice (ALJ) will listen to all parties’ evidence, followed by a final, appealable decision and order issued to the parties involved.

If the ALJ finds that the DPS has proven its case, the order will authorize a suspension of your driver’s license. However, if the ALJ finds that the DPS has not proven its case, your driver’s license will not be suspended.

Note: If you’ve already been through the ALR hearing process and your driver’s license was suspended, you may be eligible to appeal the decision. If your driver’s license has been suspended because you refused or failed a police blood or breath test after your DWI arrest, call us or fill out the form below. 

We can help you fight your driver’s license suspension with a group of highly experienced and professional DWI defense attorneys familiar with Houston and Texas laws and regulations.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.